Randomised comparison of cisplatin with cyclophosphamide/cisplatin and with cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/cisplatin in advanced ovarian cancer. Gruppo Interegionale Cooperativo Oncologico Ginecologia

Abstract

565 patients with stage III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin (P), cyclophosphamide and cisplatin (CP), or cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP). Data on 531 patients were analysed. Treatment with CAP resulted in a significantly higher overall (complete and partial) response rate (66 vs 56 vs 49% for CAP, CP, and P, respectively), but the rate of complete surgical response for the three treatment arms was similar (26, 21, and 20%). Size of residual tumour after first surgery and Karnofsky index were the best predictors of complete remission. Survival and disease-free survival were not significantly different in the three arms, although progression-free survival was significantly longer after CAP. However, tumour size, cell type, and Karnofsky index, but not therapy, were independent predictors for survival. Haematological toxicity was highest with CAP. The addition of cyclophosphamide or doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide to cisplatin does not substantially increase the number of potentially curable, advanced ovarian cancer patients.