Trial of Topotecan and Etoposide in Ovarian Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Levitt N C, Propper D J, Madhusudan S, Braybrooke J P, Echeta C, te Poele R, Davies S L, Flanagan E, Hickson I D, Joel S, Ganesan T S
Primary Institution: Cancer Research UK Cancer Centre, Churchill Hospital, Oxford
Hypothesis
The sequential combination of topotecan and etoposide phosphate will demonstrate good activity in recurrent ovarian cancer.
Conclusion
The combination of topotecan followed by etoposide phosphate showed good activity and higher toxicity than expected in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- 28% of evaluable patients showed a response to the treatment.
- 48% of patients were classified as platinum-resistant.
- 71% of patients had received prior paclitaxel treatment.
- Main toxicities included grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.
Takeaway
Doctors tested a new way to treat ovarian cancer using two drugs, topotecan and etoposide, and found it worked better than expected, but it also made patients very sick.
Methodology
This was a phase I trial where patients received topotecan followed by etoposide phosphate, with dose adjustments based on plasma drug levels.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and was limited to patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.
Participant Demographics
Patients had recurrent ovarian cancer, with a performance status of 0-2, and had previously received platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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