A novel intensive chemotherapy approach is demonstrating significant efficacy in treating women with ovarian cancer who have relapsed following initial chemotherapy. The treatment, a combination of cisplatin and etoposide administered in a more intensive regimen than typically used, has shown promising results in patients with limited therapeutic alternatives.
The Dutch study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, involved 98 women whose ovarian cancer had returned after initially responding to first-line chemotherapy. These patients were divided into groups based on the severity of their condition and treated with the intensive cisplatin and etoposide regimen.
Treatment Response
The response rates among the less severely ill patients were notably high, reaching 92% and 91%. This contrasts sharply with the 50% and 20-30% response rates typically observed with standard therapies. Even in the most severely ill group, 46% responded to the intensive treatment, compared to less than 15% with conventional approaches.
Overall, the study reported that 80% of the women experienced tumor shrinkage, and an unprecedented 43% achieved complete remission, indicating the disappearance of all detectable signs of cancer. The intensive regimen involved weekly cisplatin administration, a departure from the standard practice of allowing several weeks for recovery between doses. This was coupled with strong anti-nausea medications to manage side effects.
Expert Commentary
Dr. Ronald de Wit, the study author from the Rotterdam Cancer Institute, expressed his delight at the study's success, stating, "The new drug combination was highly effective at keeping women alive for longer, giving real hope to those who would otherwise have had very little." He also noted the manageable side effects and the immediate availability of the drugs, suggesting that women could begin benefiting from the treatment without delay.
Professor Gordon McVie, director general of The Cancer Research Campaign, commented, "While current chemotherapy regimes are effective for some women with ovarian cancer, many relapse later and overall cure rates are improving only very slowly. These old drugs in a new regime will be a useful salvage."
Implications
The findings offer a potentially valuable treatment option for women with relapsed ovarian cancer, a population with limited effective therapies. The intensive chemotherapy regimen, utilizing readily available drugs, could be implemented quickly to improve outcomes for these patients. Further research may focus on optimizing the regimen and identifying patients most likely to benefit.
