title: Carboplatin/gemcitabine alternating with carboplatin/pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and carboplatin/cyclophosphamide in platinum-refractory/resistant paclitaxel - pretreated ovarian carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this phase II study the efficacy and toxicity of an alternating chemotherapy regimen was examined in platinum-resistant relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients with platinum-refractory/resistant relapsed EOC, previously treated with carboplatin+paclitaxel+/-epirubicin were included. The regimen was consisted of gemcitabine 800 mg/m(2) (days 1+8) and carboplatin AUC 5, alternating with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 30 mg/m(2) and carboplatin AUC 5, alternating with carboplatin AUC 5 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2), every 3 weeks for a total of 9 cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 38 patients with measurable disease, 39.4% (95% CI: 23.2-55.7) responded (five complete response and 10 partial response), while 30 out of 40 (75%) patients assessable by CA125 criteria had a serological response. Responses were more frequent in patients with platinum-free interval (PFI) 3-6 months than in those with PFI 0-3 months, but this was not statistically-significant. After a median follow-up of 19.5 months (range, 1.0-37+ months) the median progression-free survival was 7.1 months (95% CI: 3.4-10.8) and the median survival (OS) was 18.8 months (95% CI: 15.6-22.0). For patients with PFI 0-3 months PFS was 4.3 (95% CI: 0.8-7.8) months, while for those with PFI 3-6 months PFS was 8.9 (95% CI: 5.3-12.4) months (p=0.062). The regimen was well-tolerated and the main grade 3-4 toxicity was myelosuppression, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, allergy and fatigue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This alternating regimen, including carboplatin, gemcitabine, liposomal doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, is an active and well-tolerated treatment in platinum relapsed/refractory EOC patients.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Internal Medicine, Propaedeutic, Oncology Section, University of Athens, University General Hospital Attikon, Rimini 1, Haidari, Athens, Greece. pectasid@otenet.gr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pectasides
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pectasides
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papaxoinis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Psyrri
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pliarchopoulou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koumarianou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macheras
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Athanasas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Xiros
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Economopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: C506643:liposomal doxorubicin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D016190:Carboplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine