The efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel in patients with recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian cancer

Ju, Da Hye; Kim, Yong Man; Kim, Min Gyun; Kim, Eu Gene; Kim, Dae Yeon; Seo, Dae Sik; Kim, Jong Hyeok; Kim, Young Tak; Nam, Joo Hyun

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel in patients with recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian cancer, previously treated with paclitaxel and platinum combination chemotherapy.
METHODS
Forty patients with recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian cancer, had been treated with docetaxel combination chemotherapy at Asan Medical Center from May 1989 to December 2006. They received docetaxel (75 mg/m2) only or docetaxel (75 mg/m2) and platinum (carboplatin AUC5 or cisplatin 75 mg/m2) on day 1. The administration was repeated every 3 or 4 weeks. The response of patients was evaluated with CA-125 response criteria and RECIST criteria. The toxicities were defined according to the NCI common toxicity criteria.
RESULTS
Twenty patients had been evaluated by RECIST criteria and twenty patients had been evaluated by CA-125 response criteria. The overall response rate was 35% (14/40). Eleven patients were belonged to complete response (CR), and three patients were belonged to partial response (PR). The mean response duration (RD) was 11.29 months (4 to 20.7 months) and the mean time to progression (TTP) was 6.91 months (1 to 23 months). The response rate in the platinum-sensitive patients was 38.7% but in the platinum-resistant patients was 22.2%. The platinum-sensitive patients showed more favorable response rate, but that was not significant statistically. Heavily treated group, more than three prior regimens were used, had poor outcome. The common toxicities were alopecia and gastrointestinal toxicities (anorexia and nausea). Bone marrow suppression was the most serious drug toxicity, however, it was tolerable.
CONCLUSION
The docetaxel is a considerable 2nd line chemotherapy with acceptable efficacy and toxicity in patients with recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian cancer previously treated with paclitaxel and platinum combination chemotherapy.