Carboplatin in combination therapy for ovarian cancer.

Cisplatin today is a cornerstone of combination chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. Carboplatin seems equal to cisplatin in antitumour activity, but has a different toxicity profile. After a feasibility study, a randomized phase III study in ovarian cancer stage II, III, and IV was undertaken, comparing carboplatin with cisplatin in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and hexamethylmelamine. Preliminary analysis of this study reveals no statistically significant difference in response rate. Notwithstanding equal haematological toxicity, the other side effects evoked by carboplatin in combination treatment are much milder than those evoked by cisplatin. Further analysis will be necessary to draw definite conclusions about the results obtained.