Treatment of recurrent cervical adenocarcinoma with BMS-247550, an epothilone B analog

Objective. The incidence of recurrent cervical adenocarcinoma is rising relative to the squamous subtype. There are limited therapeutic options for women with advanced cervical adenocarcinoma. Only a few chemotherapy agents have demonstrated activity in this disease. This report describes results with BMS-247550, an epothilone B analog that stabilizes microtubules, with activity in previously treated adenocarcinoma of the cervix. Method. We present two women with recurrent cervical adenocarcinoma with metastases to the lung. Both women were treated previously with paclitaxel and were enrolled in a phase I study with BMS-247550. Results. Both women had partial responses to BMS-247550 with a decrease in tumor size and CA-125 levels. Conclusions. The demonstration of a response to BMS-247550, especially after additional chemotherapy had been administered, is encouraging, albeit preliminary. The ultimate role of BMS-247550 and multiagent chemotherapy in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the cervix should be further investigated. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.