Paclitaxel/carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer: efficacy and adverse effects with special consideration of peripheral neurotoxicity.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the response and survival probability of patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with a combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy. Additionally we investigated the extent of adverse effects due to chemotherapy with special consideration for peripheral neurotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-seven women with epithelial ovarian cancer, treated with a combination chemotherapy consisting of paclitaxel and carboplatin, were included in the analysis. A total of 234 courses of paclitaxel/carboplatin were applied. Paclitaxel was administered at a dose of 175 mg/m2, infused over 3 hours, every 21 days. Carboplatin was administered at an area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 6.

RESULTS

Thirty of the 37 patients responded to the chemotherapy, demonstrating an overall response of 81%. Seven patients died of the disease (19%). The mean overall survival was 20 months (25% quartile: 19, median and 75% quartile not reached). Thirteen patients (34%) developed peripheral neurotoxicity. In 10 cases (76%) neurotoxicity occurred after the fifth and sixth chemotherapy cycle. In all cases of severe neurotoxicity pathologic sensory nerve conduction-measurements were observed. In one patient a weakness of the left leg was observed. Apart from alopecia, other adverse effects were rare.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed the therapeutic benefit of the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer. Neurologic toxicity, increasing with every cycle of the chemotherapy, was a clinically significant adverse effect in our study. However, peripheral neuropathy mainly affected sensory fibers, without involving motor nerves.