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PACLITAXEL PLUS CISPLATIN FOR OVARIAN CANCER.

Paclitaxel (taxol) has shown promise as single-agent chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer. This randomized study compared six cycles of paclitaxel plus cisplatin with the standard combination of cyclophosphamide plus cisplatin in 386 women with incompletely resected stage III or any stage IV ovarian cancer. None of the women had undergone previous chemotherapy.

Among the 216 women who entered the study with clinically measurable disease, those who received the paclitaxel- cisplatin combination had a significantly higher rate of complete clinical response than women who received the standard combination (51 vs. 31 percent). Overall, the paclitaxel-cisplatin group also had longer median progression-free survival (18 vs. 13 months) and longer median survival (38 vs. 24 months). Neutropenia, fever, alopecia, and allergic reactions were more common with paclitaxel plus cisplatin than with cyclophosphamide plus cisplatin.

Comment: Further research may lead to refinements in paclitaxel dosing that will improve efficacy or minimize toxicity. But in the meantime, an editorialist concludes that the paclitaxel-cisplatin combination should be considered "standard therapy for women with advanced ovarian cancer."

— AS Brett

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine January 12, 1996

Citation(s):

McGuire WP et al. Cyclophosphamide and cisplatin compared with paclitaxel and cisplatin in patients with stage III and stage IV ovarian cancer. N Engl J Med 1996 Jan 4 334 1-6.

• Medline abstract (Free)

Neijt JP. New therapy for ovarian cancer. N Engl J Med 1996 Jan 4 334 50-51.

• Medline abstract (Free)

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