Dose-Intense Chemotherapy Shows Promise for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London have investigated the effectiveness of a new chemotherapy regimen for advanced ovarian cancer. The treatment involves a combination of gemcitabine, carboplatin, and paclitaxel, along with peripheral blood progenitor cell support, administered every 10 days for six cycles. This approach has shown promising results, with 13 out of 17 patients completing the full six cycles without experiencing severe side effects. The treatment was found to be effective in reducing tumor size, with six complete remissions, seven partial remissions, three stable disease, and one progression.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 17 patients with advanced ovarian cancer, with 13 completing the full six cycles of treatment.
  • The treatment regimen consisted of gemcitabine, carboplatin, and paclitaxel, administered every 10 days for six cycles, along with peripheral blood progenitor cell support.
  • Hematological toxicity was not considered dose-limiting, with febrile neutropenia occurring in only 2 patients.
  • Grade III/IV thrombocytopenia was seen across all cohorts, but treatment was not delayed for this side effect.
  • The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of gemcitabine, carboplatin, and paclitaxel was found to be 1000 mg m-2, 6 mg m-2, and 175 mg m-2, respectively.
  • Responses were observed at all dose levels, with a total of 13 patients experiencing a complete or partial remission.

Statistics:

  • 17 patients with advanced ovarian cancer were treated in the study.
  • 13 patients completed the full six cycles of treatment.
  • 4 patients experienced delays in treatment due to infection or malaise.
  • No dose reductions were made in the treatment regimen.
  • Hematological toxicity was minimal, with febrile neutropenia occurring in only 2 patients.
  • Grade III/IV thrombocytopenia was seen across all cohorts.
  • The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of gemcitabine, carboplatin, and paclitaxel was found to be 1000 mg m-2, 6 mg m-2, and 175 mg m-2, respectively.

Sources:

  • Barlow, C. et al. (2004). "Dose intense triplet chemotherapy with gemcitabine, carboplatin, paclitaxel with peripheral blood progenitor cell support for six cycles in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer." Br J Cancer, 90(7), 1318-1322.
  • British Journal of Cancer (2004). "Dose intense triplet chemotherapy with gemcitabine, carboplatin, paclitaxel with peripheral blood progenitor cell support for six cycles in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer."