Phase II trials of cisplatin and piperazinedione as single agents in the treatment of advanced or recurrent non-squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix: a Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

A total of 42 patients with advanced or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix, other than squamous cell carcinoma, were entered onto two phase II studies by the Gynecologic Oncology Group. Of 16 patients registered to receive piperazinedione at a dose of 9 mg/m2 iv every 3 weeks, two were inevaluable for response because of the lack of measurable disease. Of the remaining 14, two (14%) had complete response. Adverse effects were limited to myelosuppression, nausea and vomiting, and nephrotoxicity. Among 26 patients registered to receive cisplatin, three were deemed ineligible and three were inevaluable for the study. Of the remaining 20 patients, one (5%) had complete response and three (15%) had partial response. Primary adverse effects included myelosuppression, frequent nausea and vomiting, and nephrotoxicity. The most common histologic subtypes noted were adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma, and responses were noted among patients with each subtype on each drug. Both drugs appear to possess moderate activity against non-squamous carcinoma of the cervix.