Clinical Study

Improved Survival with Single-Agent Paclitaxel Consolidation/Maintenance Therapy in Advanced Ovarian Carcinoma
John P. Micha^a, Bram H. Goldstein^a, Cheri Graham^a, Mark A. Rettenmaier^a, John V. Brown III^a, Jim C. Hu^b, Maurie Markman<sup>c

a</sup>Gynecologic Oncology Associates, Hoag Cancer Center and Women’s Cancer Research Foundation, Newport Beach, Calif.,
^bDivision of Urology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass., and
^cMD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Tex., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Oncology 2006;71:49-53 (DOI: 10.1159/000100987)

  Key Words

• Gynecologic oncology
• Ovarian cancer
• Paclitaxel
• Consolidation therapy

  Abstract

Objectives: Consolidation/maintenance therapy in the standard management of ovarian cancer remains controversial, primarily due to the unknown impact of this strategy on overall survival. Methods: We examined the survival of a previously reported patient population consecutively treated with either 3 cycles (group A; n = 13 patients) or 12 cycles (group B; n = 13) of single-agent paclitaxel consolidation following 6 cycles of primary induction chemotherapy comprising 6 cycles of carboplatin (AUC = 5), paclitaxel (175 mg/m²) and gemcitabine (800 mg/m²). Results: There were no differences in the 2 patient populations regarding known relevant prognostic factors (age, stage, tumor grade). The median progression-free survival was 11 months for group A and 24 months for group B (p = 0.0062). The median overall survival in group A was 38 months and was not reached in group B (p = 0.0019). Current follow-up for these 2 patient groups exceeds 43 months. Conclusion: We recognize the important limitations of this study, particularly its sample size and nonrandomized nature. However, these data provide support for the conclusion that paclitaxel ‘maintenance/consolidation’ therapy may favorably impact overall and progression-free survival in advanced ovarian cancer patients who achieve an excellent response to primary platinum-based chemotherapy.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Bram Goldstein, PhD
Gynecologic Oncology Associates
351 Hospital Road, Suite 507
Newport Beach, CA 92663 (USA)
Tel. +1 949 642 5165, Fax +1 949 646 7157, E-Mail bram@gynoncology.com

  Article Information

Received: August 18, 2006
Accepted after revision: November 18, 2006
Published online: March 21, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 17