Phase II study of maytansine in the treatment of advanced or recurrent adenocarcinoma of the ovary. A Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Twenty-nine patients with advanced or recurrent adenocarcinoma of the ovary no longer responsive to standard treatment measures were given maytansine 1.2 mg/m2 I.V. every 3 weeks. None of the 29 patients demonstrated an objective regression of disease. Eighteen (62%) demonstrated stable disease for 1 or more months, while 11 (38%) developed rapid progression of disease. Adverse effects consisted primarily of leukopenia (7/29), thrombocytopenia (9/29), and nausea and vomiting (14/29). Only one patient developed life-threatening toxicity (platelets less than 25,000 microliters), and no drug-related deaths were observed. Maytansine thus appears inactive in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the ovary at the dose and schedule tested.