The "Leuven" paclitaxel/carboplatin weekly regimen in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, a retrospective study

Objective. To evaluate the "Leuven" weekly paclitaxel/carboplatinum (TC) regimen in recurrent ovarian cancer in a retrospective study. Methods. Eighteen courses of paclitaxel (60 mg/m(2)) and carboplatinum (AUC 2.7) were administered weekly. Platinum-resistance was defined as progression during or within 6 months after platinum-based chemotherapy. Results. Sixty-three patients were included with a median number of prior treatment regimens of 4 (range 0-10). Forty-three patients were platinum resistant and 20 were platinum sensitive (14 intermediate sensitive and 5 sensitive). One patient in the platinum resistant group and 2 patients in the platinum sensitive group achieved complete remission, 15 patients in the platinum resistant and 5 patients in the platinum sensitive group achieved partial remission according to RECIST. In the entire patient population evaluable for response (n=62), the median progression free survival (PFS) was 6.7 months; the median overall survival (OS) was 9.7 months. Median PFS was 6 months for the platinum resistant and 8 months for the platinum sensitive group. The median OS was 9 months in the platinum resistant and 11 months in the platinum sensitive group. Toxicity was mostly bone marrow related with neutropenia grade 3/4 in 67% and neutropenic fever in 6% of patients. Dose reduction was necessary in 24% of patients. Nausea, vomiting and fatigue were the most frequent non-hematological side effects. Conclusion. Weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin is an effective regimen for patients with recurrence of ovarian cancer with a response rate of 37% in platinum resistant disease and a manageable toxicity profile. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved