Researchers affiliated with the Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup (CCIG) trial CALYPSO have reported that Doxil®, also marketed as Caelyx® and Myocet® (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin) and Paraplatin® (carboplatin) was more effective and better tolerated than Taxol® (paclitaxel) and Paraplatin for partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer (patients who relapse between six and 12 months). The details of this study were presented at the Joint ECCO 15 – 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, September 20-24, 2009.[1]
Patients who develop recurrent ovarian cancer more than six months after first-line chemotherapy with platinum and taxane chemotherapy have a good chance of improving with retreatment with the same drugs. The length of time between the completion of first-line chemotherapy and the development of recurrent disease can help determine whether additional treatment with a taxane and platinum will be effective. Over half of patients who develop a recurrence longer than 12 months from initial treatment are likely to improve with further chemotherapy compared with less than half of patients who develop a recurrence between six and 12 months from initial treatment.
For women who have failed first-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, there are many active agents, but there is no consensus as to which agent is most active or what schedule is most advantageous. Doxil is an active single agent for the treatment of refractory or resistant ovarian cancer and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for second-line therapy of ovarian cancer.
The CALYPSO Phase III study compared the efficacy of Doxil and Paraplatin with that of Taxol and Paraplatin in 976 patients after first and second-line platinum-based therapy. The current analysis focused on 344 patients who had relapsed within 6-12 months of completing therapy. One hundred sixty-one of these patients received Doxil and Paraplatin, and 183 received Taxol and Paraplatin with the following results:
- The six-cycle completion rate was 81% for the Doxil group and 77% of the Taxol group.
- Grade 2 or greater neuropathy occurred in 4% of the Doxil group and 29% of the Taxol group.
- Alopecia occurred in 9% of the Doxil group and 86% of the Taxol group.
- Severe hypersensitivity occurred in 6% of the Doxil group and 22% of the Taxol group.
- Progression-free survival was 27% longer in the Doxil group than in the Taxol group.
Comments: These data appear to confirm data from Phase II studies suggesting that Doxil is well tolerated and effective for patients with relapsed ovarian cancer.
Reference:
[1] Vasey P, Largillier R, Gropp M, et al. A GCIG randomized phase III study of carboplatin © & pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) (C-D) vs carboplatin (C) & paclitaxel (P) (C-P): CALYPSO results in partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. European Journal of Cancer Supplements, Vol. 7, No 3, September 2009, page 11, abstract 18LBA.
© 1998-2007 OncoEd.com All Rights Reserved.
These materials may discuss uses and dosages for therapeutic products that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. All readers should verify all information and data before administering any drug, therapy or treatment discussed herein. Neither the editors nor the publisher accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or consequences from the use or misuse of the information contained herein.
Patient Home
