Effect of cytostatics on prostaglandin F2 alpha prostacyclin, and thromboxane in patients with gynecologic malignancies.

Serial measurements of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (a stable metabolite of prostacyclin), thromboxane B2 (TxB2, a stable metabolite of thromboxane A2), and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha (M-PGF2 alpha, a stable metabolite of prostaglandin F2 alpha) were made from plasma of 9 women with metastatic ovarian or uterine malignancies before and after the combined administration of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, and cis-platinum. Elevated basal levels of TxB2 were detected in all patients, elevated levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in 5 patients and elevated levels of M-PGF2 alpha in 3 patients. The use of chemotherapy was accompanied by a significant increase of 37% (P less than .01) in the M-PGF2 alpha level on the day after treatment and by significant decreases of 30 to 40% (P less than .05) in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TxB2 levels, which became apparent immediately after the treatment and persisted for 3 to 5 days. Thus, malignancies may be accompanied by increased production of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2, which can be lowered by cytostatics.