Chemotherapy for endometrial carcinoma (GOGO-EM1 study): TEC (paclitaxel, epirubicin, and carboplatin) is an effective remission-induction and adjuvant therapy.

BACKGROUND

TAP chemotherapy (paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) is effective for advanced and recurrent endometrial carcinoma, but has occasional severe toxicity. TEC chemotherapy (paclitaxel, epirubicin, and carboplatin) has been suggested to have less toxicity; however, the optimal dosage has yet to be determined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Phase I/II prospective study for TEC therapy was performed. A retrospective comparison of the prognosis between adjuvant TEC therapy and radiation for completely resected cases with risk factors was also performed.

RESULTS

The recommended dose of TEC therapy was determined to be paclitaxel 150 mg/m(2), epirubicin 50 mg/m(2), and carboplatin AUC 4. A TEC regimen at this dose level was shown to be tolerable. The response rate and median overall survival were 74% and 37 months for those with advanced primary disease (Group B) and 50% and 26 months for recurrent tumors (Group C), respectively. A retrospective comparison showed that adjuvant TEC therapy for completely resected stage III cases improved their prognosis when compared to an adjuvant radiation therapy.

CONCLUSION

TEC therapy was demonstrated to be a tolerable and effective treatment, not only as a remission-induction therapy for advanced and recurrent endometrial carcinomas but also as the adjuvant therapy.