A randomised study of ornidazole as a radiosensitiser in carcinoma of the cervix: long term results.

Abstract

This paper presents long-term results of a randomised study of ornidazole as a radiosensitiser in locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix. A total of 76 patients were randomised and followed-up with a median of 85 months. All patients were treated with external and intracavitary irradiation. The 10 year actuarial local control rate was 61% in patients receiving ornidazole, compared with 50% for placebo group. This difference was not statistically significant. Ten year actuarial overall and disease-free survival rates were also similar in the two treatment groups. Although, when analysed by stage, there was a significant advantage in the local control (54% vs 15%; P = 0.044) and disease-free survival rates (37% vs 8%; P = 0.047) in ornidazole group for stage IIIB cases, its implication is obscure because of the small number of patients. In this study moderate and severe complication rates were found to be 30%. These results suggest that ornidazole seems to have relatively weak sensitisation and it may show a possibility of a marginal benefit with unconventional irradiation using relatively large radiation doses. However, the results are insufficient for a real gain in the probability of local tumour control and survival.

• Authors: S Okkan, G Atkovar, I Sahinler, S Turkan, R Uzel
• Journal: The British journal of cancer. Supplement (Br J Cancer Suppl) Vol. 27 Pg. S282-6 (Jul 1996) ISSN: 0306-9443 [Print] England
• PMID: 8763898 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
• Ornidazole

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Ornidazole (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Radiation-Sensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)
• Survival Rate
• Uterine Cervical Neoplasms (mortality, radiotherapy)