The "Leuven" paclitaxel/carboplatin weekly regimen in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, a retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the "Leuven" weekly paclitaxel/carboplatinum (TC) regimen in recurrent ovarian cancer in a retrospective study.


METHODS
Eighteen courses of paclitaxel (60mg/m(2)) and carboplatinum (AUC 2.7) were administered weekly. Platinum-resistance was defined as progression during or within 6months after platinum-based chemotherapy.


RESULTS
Sixty-three patients were included with a median number of prior treatment regimens of 4 (range 0-10). Forty-three patients were platinum resistant and 20 were platinum sensitive (14 intermediate sensitive and 5 sensitive). One patient in the platinum resistant group and 2 patients in the platinum sensitive group achieved complete remission, 15 patients in the platinum resistant and 5 patients in the platinum sensitive group achieved partial remission according to RECIST. In the entire patient population evaluable for response (n=62), the median progression free survival (PFS) was 6.7months; the median overall survival (OS) was 9.7months. Median PFS was 6months for the platinum resistant and 8months for the platinum sensitive group. The median OS was 9months in the platinum resistant and 11months in the platinum sensitive group. Toxicity was mostly bone marrow related with neutropenia grade 3/4 in 67% and neutropenic fever in 6% of patients. Dose reduction was necessary in 24% of patients. Nausea, vomiting and fatigue were the most frequent non-hematological side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin is an effective regimen for patients with recurrence of ovarian cancer with a response rate of 37% in platinum resistant disease and a manageable toxicity profile.
Division of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Division of Gynecological Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: Isabelle.Cadron@uz.kuleuven.ac.be.
Isabelle
I
Cadron
Division of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Division of Gynecological Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Leyla
L
Abdulkadir
Division of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Division of Gynecological Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Evelyn
E
Despierre
Division of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Division of Gynecological Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Patrick
P
Berteloot
Division of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Division of Gynecological Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Patrick
P
Neven
Division of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Division of Gynecological Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Karin
K
Leunen
Division of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Division of Gynecological Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Frédéric
F
Amant
Division of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Division of Gynecological Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Ignace
I
Vergote
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel