Weekly topotecan and daily thalidomide in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: a report of 2 cases.
BACKGROUND
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) recurrence is common following treatment with cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Numerous antineoplastic agents have been utilized for recurrent EOC, with varied response rates and toxicity. Recently the combination of topotecan and thalidomide was shown to be superior to topotecan alone in terms of response and progression-free survival.


METHODS
Two women with recurrent EOC were treated with weekly topotecan and daily thalidomide. A total of 8 cycles were administered. Grade 3 fatigue occurred in both patients, resulting in a dose reduction of thalidomide, with toxicity otherwise acceptable. One patient had a partial response, while the second patient had stable disease. Therapy was ultimately discontinued for progressive disease in both patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our report describes a well-tolerated, novel use of a weekly topotecan and daily thalidomide regimen. This regimen may be a reasonable alternative to the standard regimen of day 1-5 topotecan and thalidomide and should be further evaluated.
Phippen
Neil T
NT
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
Leath
Charles A
CA
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019772:Topotecan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide; D019772:Topotecan