Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin combined with carboplatin: a rational treatment choice for advanced ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Many questions remain unanswered regarding the optimal treatment paradigm for ovarian cancer, and alternatives for both first- and second-line therapy are needed.


METHODS
This review summarizes recent data with the combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and carboplatin in ovarian cancer.


RESULTS
Anthracyclines are active in ovarian cancer and lack the neurotoxic effects of taxanes. PLD has reduced cardiotoxic potential vs non-liposomal doxorubicin and is the only non-platinum monotherapy to demonstrate a significant survival advantage as second-line treatment of ovarian cancer. Replacing the taxane with PLD in platinum doublets for either first-line or recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) has been or is being evaluated in more than 1600 patients. Studies evaluating PLD plus carboplatin in platinum-sensitive ROC have shown that the regimen is tolerable and active.


CONCLUSIONS
PLD-carboplatin is a promising chemotherapy combination. Phase III trials will elucidate whether it represents a new standard of care in ovarian cancer.
Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Naples, Italy. sandro.pignata@fondazionepascale.it
Sandro
S
Pignata
Eric Pujade
EP
Lauraine
Andreas
A
du Bois
Carmela
C
Pisano
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*
C506643:liposomal doxorubicin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004317:Doxorubicin; D016190:Carboplatin