ETOPOSIDE AND CARBOPLATIN AS SALVAGE AND 1ST-LINE THERAPY IN OVARIAN-CANCER PATIENTS

Background: The agents etoposide and carboplatin are active against ovarian cancer and display synergistic anti-tumor activity in animal tumor models. The objective of these two phase II trials was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of etoposide with carboplatin in previously treated and untreated patients with ovarian cancer. Patients and methods: Etoposide (100 mg/m2) was administered as a one-hour infusion on three consecutive days and carboplatin (400 mg/m2) as a 30-minute infusion on day 2 of each monthly scheduled cycle. In 20 patients, previously treated with cisplatin-containing regimens, a total of 102 cycles was applied as salvage therapy (ST) and in 27 patients, a total of 168 cycles as first-line therapy (FLT). Results: ST yielded 2 complete remissions (CR) and one partial remission (PR); in 7 patients, no evidence of disease (NED) and in 6 patients, no change (NC) were observed. The progression-free intervals (PFI) lasted a median 7.0 months (range < 2-14 months). FLT resulted in 7 CR (4 of them pathologically (p) verified), 11 NED (1 pNED), 3 PR (1 pPR) and 6 NC. The objective response rate was 63% (95% confidence interval: 36-89%). PFI lasted a median 8.0 months (range 3-25+ months); median survival had not been reached at the time of evaluation. Thrombocytopenia (WHO grade 4) was the limiting toxicity. Conclusions: Although not fulfilling the expectations of synergistic activity as shown in preclinical models, the combination of etoposide with carboplatin is an active and feasible therapy regimen in the out-patient management of ovarian cancer.