A phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel and every 3 weeks of carboplatin in potentially platinum-sensitive ovarian and peritoneal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

Paclitaxel administered weekly in equal cumulative doses is associated with less hematologic and non-hematologic toxicity than an every 3-week administration. We studied weekly paclitaxel and 3-week carboplatin in potentially platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian and peritoneal carcinoma.

METHODS

Paclitaxel at a dose of 80 mg/m(2) over 1 h in combination with carboplatin at an AUC of 5 was administered on day 1. Subsequent paclitaxel doses, modified based on the day of treatment ANC, were administered on days 8 and 15. Paclitaxel dose reductions to 75% of prior dose were performed for chemotherapy delays or toxicity.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients were studied. The median age was 59 (range 42-80). The median platinum-free interval was 12 months (range 7-129 months). A median of six courses (range 1-13) was administered. Paclitaxel dose reductions to 60 mg/m(2) were required in 85% of the patients. Grades 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia were seen in 5 and 0 patients, respectively. Grades 3 and 4 neutropenia were seen in 14 and 1 patients, respectively. One patient was hospitalized for neutropenic fever. Twenty of 26 (77%) evaluable patients have responded with 15 patients (58%) achieving a complete response.

CONCLUSIONS

Weekly paclitaxel at a dose of 60 mg/m(2) in combination with carboplatin at an AUC of 5 is well tolerated and active in potentially platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian and peritoneal carcinoma.