Weekly low-dose paclitaxel and carboplatin in the treatment of advanced or recurrent cervical and endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity profile of weekly low-dose paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with gynecologic malignancies.

METHODS

Patients had measurable disease defined by clinical examination or radiographic studies. Each cycle of treatment consisted of carboplatin at an AUC of 2 and paclitaxel at 80 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients with advanced or recurrent cervical and endometrial cancers were included in this study. The overall response rate (ORR) was 39% (2 CR, 9 PR). Among the 15 cervical cancers the ORR was 20%, while the 13 endometrial cancers had a 62% ORR. Median time to progression and overall survival was 3.4 and 7.6 months for those with cervical cancer and 5.5 and 15.4 months for those with endometrial cancer. Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity was uncommon (7% grade 3 anemia, 21% grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, 7% grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia).

CONCLUSION

A regimen of weekly low-dose paclitaxel and carboplatin has an acceptable toxicity profile that is easily managed by dose adjustment and the use of erythropoietic therapy. This regimen appears to have activity in advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer which warrants further evaluation.