Ovarian Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ovarian Cancer, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, information.

Weekly topotecan for recurrent platinum resistant ovarian cancer.

Abushahin F, Singh DK, Lurain JR, Grendys EC, Rademaker AW, Schink JC

The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate toxicity, response and progression-free survival of weekly topotecan chemotherapy in women with primary and secondary platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 69 patients who received weekly topotecan with a median dose of 3.75 on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle treated between November 2002 and May 2005. All patients had recurrent epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal or tubal cancer with primary or secondary resistance to platinum. Disease response was evaluated by CA-125 levels, physical exam, and when appropriate, imaging studies. Toxicity was evaluated using the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria. RESULTS: Response to topotecan therapy was noted in 14 of 69 patients (20.3%); (complete response 7.3%, and partial response 13%). Stable disease was noted in 23 patients (33.3%) and progression of disease occurred in 31 patients (44.9%). Two patients (2.8%) had significant side effects that warranted discontinuation of therapy. There was no significant difference in response to therapy between patients with primary or secondary platinum resistance. A total of 229 cycles was given with a median of 3 (range 1-12) cycles per patient. Grades 3 and 4 myelosuppression was rare: 1 cycle (0.4%) with grade 3 leukopenia, 16 cycles (7%) with grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, 1 cycle (0.4%) with grade 3 anemia, and 2 cycles (0.9%) with grade 3 thrombocytopenia. No patient was admitted with neutropenic fever. The median progression-free survival for responders was 5.7 months (2-16.75). CONCLUSIONS: Weekly topotecan is a well-tolerated and effective regimen for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer with considerable less hematological toxicity when compared with historical data for the 5-day regimen.

Published 31 December 2007 in Gynecol Oncol, 108(1): 53-7.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Ovarian Cancer Research Today. All Rights Reserved.