The clinical utility of liposomal doxorubicin in recurrent ovarian cancer.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of single agent off-protocol, liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil Alza), in consecutive patients with recurrent ovarian cancer and to investigate the influence of HER-2/neu expression on response to liposomal doxorubicin.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Retrospective analysis of 72 consecutive patients treated, typically with liposomal doxorubicin 40 mg/m(2) q28 days between January 1997 and December 1998. Results. Twenty-nine patients (40%) had platinum- and taxane-resistant tumors. Nineteen patients (27%) responded with clinical or radiological evidence of response with reduction in CA-125 of >50%. One complete response (CR) and 7 partial responses (PRs) occurred in platinum- and taxane-resistant patients (radiological response (RR) 29%) and 8 PRs occurred in patients with visceral metastases (RR 28%). Time to progression was 5.3 (2.1-12.1) months. Only 7 dose delays (3%) and 20 dose reductions (8%) were necessary in 265 cycles of treatment. Hematological toxicity was generally mild with grade (Gr) > or =III neutropenia in 1 (2%), Gr > or =III thrombocytopenia in 1 (1%), and Gr > or =III anemia in 8 patients (11%). One patient (1%) was admitted with fever and neutropenia. Other toxicity was minimal with Gr > or =III mucositis occurring in 3 patients (4%). Gr > or =III cutaneous toxicity was seen in 6 patients (8%). Three patients (4%) had a >10% fall in ejection fraction but there was no unequivocal clinical heart failure.

CONCLUSIONS:

The data suggest that liposomal doxorubicin is an active drug in both taxane- and platinum-sensitive and resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. Liposomal doxorubicin is associated with tolerable toxicity and is particularly well tolerated in patients with multiple prior lines of treatment.

• Authors: S M Campos, R T Penson, A R Mays, R S Berkowitz, A F Fuller, A Goodman, U A Matulonis, A Muzikansky, M V Seiden
• Journal: Gynecologic oncology (Gynecol Oncol) Vol. 81 Issue 2 Pg. 206-12 (May 2001) ISSN: 0090-8258 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11330951 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Chemical References

• Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
• Liposomes
• Doxorubicin
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antibiotics, Antineoplastic (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Doxorubicin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Liposomes
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Ovarian Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (biosynthesis)
• Retrospective Studies