Applicability of the concept of "platinum sensitivity" to recurrent endometrial cancer: the SGSG-012/GOTIC-004/Intergroup study

Abstract

Objective: The concept of "platinum sensitivity" has been widely applied in the management of recurrent ovarian cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of this concept to recurrent endometrial cancer.

Patients and methods: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, the clinical data of patients with recurrent endometrial cancer, who had a history of receiving first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and who received second-line platinum-based chemotherapy at the time of recurrence between January 2005 and December 2009 were reviewed.

Results: A total of 262 patients from 30 centers with initial FIGO stage classifications of I (29), II (23), III (122), and IV (88) were enrolled. In total, 153 endometrioid adenocarcinomas, 34 serous adenocarcinomas, 17 clear cell adenocarcinomas, 36 carcinosarcomas, and 22 "other" tumors were documented. The response rates for patients with platinum-free intervals of <6 months, 6-11 months, 12-23 months, and ≥24 months were 25%, 38%, 61%, and 65%, respectively. The median progression-free survival after second-line platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with platinum-free intervals of <12 months and ≥12 months was 4.4 (95% confidence interval (CI)=3.7-5.8) months and 10.3 (95% CI=8.2-12.6) months, respectively (log-rank P<0.0001), and the median overall survival was 13.8 (95% CI=10.6-18.1) months and 40.9 (95% CI=25.3-54.2) months, respectively (log-rank P<0.0001).

Conclusion: Platinum-free interval is a predictor of response and survival after second-line platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with recurrent endometrial cancer. The concept of "platinum sensitivity" could be applicable to recurrent endometrial cancer.

Keywords: Platinum sensitivity; Platinum-based chemotherapy; Recurrent endometrial cancer; Second-line chemotherapy.