title: Phase II study of docetaxel weekly in combination with carboplatin every 3 weeks as first-line chemotherapy in stage IIB to stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the response rate, toxicity, progression-free survival, and overall survival in a series of patients with advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma treated with a first-line weekly docetaxel and 3 weekly carboplatin regimen.
  
  
  METHODS
  All eligible patients were treated with intravenous docetaxel (30 mg/m) on days 1, 8, and 15, and carboplatin (area under the curve, 5) on day 1; every 21 days for at least 6 cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred six patients received at least one cycle of primary chemotherapy (median, 6.0; range, 1-9), and they were evaluable for toxicity assessment. Eighty-five patients had evaluable (measurable) disease and received at least 3 courses of chemotherapy and were evaluable for clinical response rate. The overall response rate was 78.8% (95% confidence interval, 70.1%-87.5%), and the biochemical response 92.8% (95% confidence interval, 87.2%-98.4%). The median progression-free survival was 12.0 months and the median overall survival was 35.3 months. Thirty-six patients (34.0%) experienced grades 3 and 4 neutropenia, which resulted in the removal of 3 patients. Six patients (5.7%) experienced grades 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. No patients experienced grade 3 to grade 4 sensory neuropathy. Epiphora, nail changes, and fatigue were frequently recorded nonhematologic adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tolerable hematologic toxicity (no need for colony-stimulating factors) and the low rate of neurotoxicity (only grades 1-2) and response rates in line with the standard 3-week paclitaxel-carboplatin regimen for advanced primary ovarian carcinoma after suboptimal cytoreductive surgery make this regimen an interesting alternative in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Oncology, University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden. bengt.sorbe@orebroll.se
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sorbe
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Graflund
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horvath
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swahn
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boman
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bangshöj
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lood
authors.forename: Henric
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Malmström
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D016190:Carboplatin