Docetaxel and Carboplatin Combination Chemotherapy against Persistent or Recurrent Ovarian Cancer as 2nd or more line Chemotherapy

Kim, Young Hwan; Shin, Hong Cheun; Ahn, Sun Nie; Lee, Chun June; Kim, Won Gyu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the effects and toxicities of docetaxel-carboplatin combination chemotherapy against recurrent or persistent ovarian cancer who were previously heavily treated with one or more lines of chemotherapy.
METHODS
Sixteen patients with a recurrent or persistent ovarian cancer, previously received first or more line chemotherapy, had been treated with docetaxel-carboplatin combination chemotherapy at Kosin Medical Center from December 2001 to May 2003. The docetaxel-carboplatin combination chemotherapy consists of docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and carboplatin 450 mg/m2 given i.v. every 3-4 weeks. The response of patients was evaluated with the tumor marker (serum CA-125) and imaging studies (ultrasonogram, CT, MRI). The toxicities were defined according to the WHO toxicity criteria.
RESULTS
The overall response rate was 50% (8/16). Eight patients were evaluable for response by WHO criteria. The response rate by WHO criteria was 37.5% (3/8). In detail, complete response was 12.5%, partial response was 25%, stable disease was 37.5% and progressive disease was 25%. The serologic CA-125 response rate was 50% (8/16), in detail serologic partial response was 50%, and serologic stable disease was 31% and serologic progressive disease was 19%. The median response duration was 10 months (3 to 17 months), the median time to response was 1 month (1/2 to 2 months) and the median time to re-progression was 5 months (3 to 7 months). The most common toxicity was gastrointestinal toxicity and the bone marrow suppression was proved as a most serious side effect.
CONCLUSION
The docetaxel-carboplatin chemotherapy as a 2nd or more lines regimen against heavily pre-treated recurrent or persistent ovarian cancer is considerable but was associated significant gastrointestinal and bone marrow side effects. Routine premedication is recommended.