A multi-institutional phase II trial of paclitaxel and carboplatin in the treatment of advanced or recurrent cervical cancer

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this prospective trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin (TC) in patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer.

Methods: This was a multicenter phase II trial of 3 weekly paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) 3-hour iv day 1 followed by carboplatin AUC5 1-hour iv day 1 for maximum of 6 cycles until disease progression or prohibitive toxicity. Eligible patients had squamous or adenocarcinoma of the cervix with measurable stage IVB or recurrent, aged 20-75 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2, prior platinum-containing regimen 0-1, and no prior taxane. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) by RECIST.

Results: 41 patients were enrolled, of which 39 were evaluable for analysis. 33 patients (84.6%) received prior radiotherapy. The confirmed ORR was 59% (95% CI, 43% to 75%); 5 patients (13%) achieved a complete response and median response duration was 5.2 months. The response rates for patients who had adenocarcinoma (n=10) and prior platinum-based chemotherapy<6 months (n=7) were 40.0% and 0%, respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival times were 5.3 and 9.6 months, respectively. The most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (79%), anemia (46%), thrombocytopenia (15%), and fatigue (8%). No treatment-related death was seen.

Conclusions: TC seemed to be feasible and effective similar to other cisplatin-based doublets for the treatment of metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer. Phase III trial is warranted to establish the clinical benefits of this combination.