Phase II study of weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin in combination with prophylactic G-CSF in the treatment of gynecologic cancers: A study in 108 patients by the Belgian Gynaecological Oncology Group

Gynecol Oncol. 2015 Aug;138(2):278-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2015.05.042. Epub 2015 Jun 4.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the addition of prophylactic G-CSF to each weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin course in patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian (OC), or recurrent or advanced endometrial (EC) or cervical carcinoma (CC).

Methods: 108 patients were enrolled i.e. 36 in each cohort. Eighteen courses of paclitaxel (60 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin (AUC 2.7) were administered weekly. G-CSF (filgrastim) was given to all patients on day 5 (and if needed on day 6).

Results: For patients with OC, 91% had platinum-resistant and 9% platinum-refractory disease. Median number of prior chemotherapy lines was 3 for OC, 1 for EC, and 1 for CC. Grade 3-4 neutropenia was observed in 34% of patients (95% CI: 26%-44%, P<0,0001) (OC 29%, EC 36%, CC 38%). This is lower compared to historical data in all cohorts (84%). Confirmed sepsis was observed in 5%, grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 41%, grade 2-3 peripheral neuropathy in 17% of patients. In 71% of patients dose was delayed. Dose reduction was necessary for carboplatin in 47% and paclitaxel in 18% of patients. ORR was 51% (OC 48%, EC 45%, CC 58%). Median (95% CI) PFS and OS was 7.1 (5.1-8.1) and 12.7 (10.2-16.3) months, respectively (OC 7 and 13, EC 6 and 19, CC 6 and 14).

Conclusion: Weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin with G-CSF is an effective treatment with acceptable toxicity in patients with platinum-resistant or platinum-refractory OC, advanced or recurrent EC and CC. The incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is lower with the addition of weekly G-CSF compared with earlier studies without routine use of prophylactic G-CSF.

Keywords: Carboplatin; Cervical cancer; Endometrial cancer; G-CSF; Ovarian cancer; Paclitaxel.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage
  • Carboplatin / adverse effects
  • Cohort Studies
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / drug therapy*
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / administration & dosage
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutropenia / chemically induced
  • Neutropenia / prevention & control
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / adverse effects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Carboplatin
  • Paclitaxel