Topotecan combined with carboplatin in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: Results of a single-institutional phase II study

Objective: The aim of this trial was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of a relative high-dose of topotecan combined with carboplatin in recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: Patients participating in this phase II trial received topotecan at a dose of 1.0 mg/m²/day intravenously (IV) on days 1 to 5 in combination with carboplatin AUC 5 IV on day 5, every 21 days. The primary outcome was response rate (RR) and the toxicity. The secondary measurements were duration of response, time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS). Results: Fifty-nine patients entered the study and 53 were assessable for response. For this study, 260 courses of topotecan and carboplatin were given (median, 4 per patient; range, 1-8). The overall RR was 26.4%. The median duration of response and TTP were 7 and 6 months, respectively. The median OS was 19 months with a median follow-up period of 14 months. Initial platinum sensitivity and treatment free interval (TFI) ≥ 6 months were associated with RR and OS. In the platinum-sensitive group, RR and OS were 40.0% and 25 months, whereas in the platinum-resistant group, these were 8.7% and 11 months, respectively. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 40.7% of the patients, and grade 4 thrombocytopenia was seen in 32.2% with a bleeding event in two patients. Nonhematologic toxicities were mild. There were no drug-related toxic deaths. Conclusion: The relative high-dose of topotecan combined with carboplatin was feasible and produced modest activity in recurrent or persistent EOC. The RR and survival data appear promising for the initially platinum-sensitive cohort and thus this regimen may be considered for further development in this patient.