CARBOPLATIN COMBINED WITH DOCETAXEL AS A FIRST-LINE CHEMOTHERAPY IN EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER

Background – To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and toxicity of the combination of carboplatin plus docetaxel as a first-line treatment in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods – Between February 1999 and December 2001, a prospective nonrandomized open study was done. Of the patients referred to two cancer clinics in Tehran, those in stage Ic-IV were selected. Combination of carboplatin plus docetaxel was given every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. Forty-two eligible patients (median age, 49 years; age range, 24 to 72 years) were given a total of 224 cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin at AUC = 5 and docetaxel 80 mg/m2. Thirty-five patients completed 6 cycles. Results – The major toxicity was hematological with 50% of the patients developing grade IIIV neutropenia. Three patients developed grade IV thrombocytopenia. Four patients experienced clinical (sensory) neuropathy. Fluid retention was a significant clinical problem in 5 patients. The overall response rate was 71% (25/35). Four out of 12 previously inoperable cases showed complete pathologic remission in their second laparotomy. From the onset of the study the median follow-up for living patients was 21 months and the survival rate at 1 year was 80%. Conclusion – This combination looks well tolerated and in addition to offering less toxicity, its efficacy seems comparable to the other standard regimen.