Feasibility study comparing docetaxel–cisplatin versus docetaxel–carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer

Abstract

Objective. To determine the feasibility of docetaxel–cisplatin combination therapy compared with docetaxel–carboplatin combination therapy as first-line chemotherapy for patients with ovarian cancer. Methods. Fifty patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage Ic–IV ovarian cancer who underwent primary surgery were randomly assigned to receive treatment with docetaxel–cisplatin ( n = 23) or docetaxel–carboplatin ( n = 27). Docetaxel 70 mg/m 2 and cisplatin 60 mg/m 2 or carboplatin to an area under the curve of 5 were administered consecutively on Day 1 of a 3-week cycle, for 3 cycles in patients with stage Ic–II cancer and for over 5 cycles in patients with stage III–IV cancer. Patients were evaluated for treatment-related toxicity in each cycle using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.0. Results. Five patients (2 in the docetaxel–cisplatin arm and 3 in the docetaxel–carboplatin arm) discontinued the treatment at the end of the second course of chemotherapy because of apparent disease progression; however, no patients came off the protocol therapy because of treatment-related toxicity. Overall, 103 cycles of docetaxel–cisplatin treatment and 130 cycles of docetaxel–carboplatin treatment were delivered. The major toxicity was neutropenia in both regimens. The total incidence of grades 3 and 4 neutropenia was 83% (19/23) in the docetaxel–cisplatin arm and 96% (26/27) in the docetaxel–carboplatin arm. The incidence of grade 4 neutropenia was significantly lower in the docetaxel–cisplatin arm [39% (9/23) versus 74% (20/27)]. Conclusion. Docetaxel–cisplatin combination therapy may be feasible as first-line chemotherapy for patients with ovarian cancer.