Phase II Study on Weekly Bolus Topotecan in Advanced or Recurrent Cervical Cancer

Vol. 80, No. 5-6, 2011

Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 121 KB)

Clinical Study

Phase II Study on Weekly Bolus Topotecan in Advanced or Recurrent Cervical Cancer
D. Lorusso, S. Mainenti, A. Pietragalla, E. Fusco, P. Malaguti, V. Masciullo, G. Scambia

Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Oncology 2011;80:390-394 (DOI: 10.1159/000330537)

Key Words

Chemotherapy
Topotecan
Cervical cancer

Abstract

Objective: It was the aim of our study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of weekly topotecan in patients with advanced or recurrent cervical disease. Methods: Topotecan was administered intravenously as a weekly infusion at a dose of 3.5 mg/m² on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. After the second cycle, the dose was increased to 4 mg/m² if no grade >2 toxicity occurred. Treatment was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: Twenty-one patients were enrolled, but only 18 were evaluable for response and toxicity. Ten patients (56%) had received primary surgery + chemoradiation, 6 patients (33%) had previously received surgery + chemotherapy and 2 patients (11%) exclusive chemoradiation. Patients received a mean of 3.5 courses (range 1–6). No complete or partial responses were reported. Two patients (11%) presented disease stabilization as maximum response. Median progression-free survival was 11 weeks (95% CI 15–25), and median overall survival was 28 weeks (95% CI 24–72). The treatment was generally well tolerated. Conclusions: This trial did not report any activity of weekly bolus topotecan in the treatment of advanced or recurrent cervical cancer. Actually, there is no evidence to recommend this therapy in this patient population.

Author Contacts

Dr. D. Lorusso
Department of Gynaecologic Oncology
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, IT–00168 Rome (Italy)
Tel. +39 06 3015 6014, E-Mail kettalorusso@libero.it

Article Information

Received: January 29, 2011
Accepted after revision: June 7, 2011
Published online: August 5, 2011
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 21

Cited in Web of Science®

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