Treatment of advanced refractory ovarian carcinoma with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue.

Leuprolide acetate, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue, produced a variety of beneficial therapeutic responses in five patients with ovarian carcinoma. Four patients had failed intensive chemotherapy with alkylating agents, cisplatin, and Adriamycin. All had one or more clinical conditions that precluded treatment with cytotoxic agents and characteristics associated with resistance to hormone therapy. Our findings support evaluation of expanded eligibility criteria for new hormonal therapy in cases of refractory ovarian carcinoma.