title: Pharmacokinetic and toxicity considerations for the use of anthracyclines in ovarian cancer treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Safe and effective treatments are needed for ovarian cancer. While there are many drugs currently available, there has recently been a renewed novel interest in the use of anthracyclines.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review summarizes the available evidence on pharmacokinetic (PK) and toxicology implications of anthracyclines and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in the clinical management of women with epithelial ovarian cancer. This article consists of material obtained via Medline, PubMed and EMBASE literature searches, up to September 2010.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PLD is a liposomal formulation of doxorubicin (DXR), with a distinct pharmacokinetic profile, characterized by extended circulation time and a reduced clearance and volume of distribution with respect to the free drug. PLD is effective and well tolerated in relapsed ovarian cancer. The toxicity profile of PLD is characterized by dose-limiting mucosal and cutaneous toxicities, mild myelosuppression and decreased cardiotoxicity compared to free DXR. The good response rate, toxicity profile and pharmacokinetic profile of PLD suggest that PLD could be an option in first-line and second-line treatment in ovarian cancer; especially in those who had experienced taxane-induced toxicity or had a poor performance status.
authors: San Martino Hospital and University of Genoa, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Genoa, Italy.
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Morotti
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Valenzano Menada
authors: Pier Luigi
authors: PL
authors: Venturini
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Ferrero
mesh_terms: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D008081:Liposomes; C506643:liposomal doxorubicin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004317:Doxorubicin