Sequential high dose-density chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer.

Introduction of paclitaxel or anthracyclines can improve the results of chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer. Dose intensification (by shortening of intervals between cycles) and sequential administration of active regimens at least theoretically may improve chemotherapy effectiveness. 18 patients entered into a pilot trial of combination chemotherapy. Treatment consisted of cisplatin 50 mg/m2, epidoxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 every 14 days for six cycles, followed by paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 (3-hour infusion) every 14 days for four cycles. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor at 300 mcg was employed between cycles on days 5-10. 16 out of 18 patients who entered the study received a full dose chemotherapy with a ratio between actually received and planned dose intensity of 0.8 or more. No life-threatening side effect was observed and toxicity was acceptable. This new approach based on sequential administration of active regimens at high dose intensity proved feasible, active and devoid of unacceptable toxicity. The administration the booth of paclitaxel and epidoxorubicin with cisplatin and cyclophopshamide has been rendered possible. Further studies are warranted.

A phase II trial of carboplatin, methotrexate and fluorouracil in fluorouracil-pretreated colorectal cancer.

5-Fluorouracil and leucovorin combination is the most commonly applied chemotherapy treatment for colorectal cancer patients, both in the adjuvant setting and for advanced disease. Patients resistant or refractory to the 5-fluorouracil-leucovorin combination have been treated in this phase II trial with carboplatin plus methotrexate and fluorouracil in sequence. Twenty patients with measurable lesions from advanced colorectal cancer were entered in the trial. The treatment plan was carboplatin 300 mg/m2 day 1, methotrexate 40 mg/m2 day 1, fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 day 2, every 21 days. Two patients with liver metastasis had a partial response. Median survival was 12 months (range 4-24). Toxicity was acceptable and no patient had to be hospitalized because of the treatment. In this set of patients activity of the new combination is marginal.

A new schedule for etoposide, epidoxorubicin and cisplatin with granulocyte colony stimulating factor for advanced gastric cancer: a feasibility study.

A new polychemotherapy regimen has been developed for gastric cancer. Etoposide at the dose of 120 mg/m2 for three days, Epidoxorubicin at the dose of 30 mg/m2 on day 1 and Cisplatin at the dose of 40 mg/m2 on day 2 were administered to 26 advanced gastric patients every two weeks with the support of Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor from day 8 to day 12 of each cycle. The treatment was feasible with most cases (21/25) having received at least four cycles with a dose intensity > 85%, without life-threatening side effects. Toxicity was lower than that observed in the classical combinations of Etoposide-Anthracycline-Cisplatin.

Carboplatin and vinorelbine in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

A total of 32 patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer were treated with carboplatin (350 mg/m2, day 1) and vinorelbine (days 1 and 8) every 28 days. A response rate of 28% (95% confidence limits 12.5 - 43.7%) was observed. The activity of this combination was demonstrated in an outpatient setting with acceptable toxicity.

Tropisetron-dexamethasone combination for carboplatin-induced emesis.

Sixty-six patients being given polychemotherapy schedules including carboplatin entered an antiemetic protocol with tropisetron and dexamethasone at the dose of 5 mg and 8 mg respectively. A complete response (no episodes of vomiting) and a major response (less than or equal to 2 episodes of vomiting) were observed in 55 and and 7 patients respectively. It is concluded that the tropisetron-dexamethasone combination is highly active in the control of emesis induced by conventional doses of carboplatin in combination.

Granisetron-dexamethasone combination for multiple day cisplatin.

Thirty-four, patients being given polychemotherapy schedules including cisplatin at the dose of 20 mg/sm for 5 days entered an antiemetic protocol with granisetron and dexamethasone at the doses of 3 mg and 8 mg respectively, both administered i.v. before cisplatin. A complete response (no episodes of vomiting) and a major response (< or = 2 episodes of vomiting) were observed in 14 and 12 patients respectively; the toxicity of the antiemetics was mild. It is concluded that the granisetron dexamethasone combination is able to achieve a high rate of antiemetic control in the special set of multiple day cisplatin treated patients.