Chemotherapy for stage III-IV ovarian cancer: the CAP-regimen in previously untreated patients.

Twenty-nine patients with advanced previously untreated epithelial ovarian cancer (FIGO stage III + IV) received induction chemotherapy with CAP (cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2, adriamycin 50 mg/m2 and cis-platinum 50 mg/m2). Of twenty patients whose post-surgical tumor size was greater than 2 cm, fifteen (75%) achieved objective response. The median duration of complete response is greater than 20 months and the median duration of partial response is greater than 11 months. Among the 75% responders (15 of 20) overall, eleven were determined by surgical evaluation and four by clinical evaluation. The response rate in the present study compares favorably with previously reported studies. Toxicity from the CAP regimen was frequent and often severe but no irreversible side effects or treatment related deaths were observed. It is concluded that the CAP regimen appears to be an effective drug combination against advanced ovarian cancer that may improve overall response and ultimate survival of previously untreated patients.