Background/aim: Ovarian cancer diagnosed with platinum-resistant recurrence has very poor prognosis and single-agent chemotherapy with no cross-resistance to prior chemotherapy is recommended for its treatment. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of platinum rechallenge therapy for once diagnosed with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer who had a platinum-free interval (PFI) of at least 6 months.
Patients and methods: The study included 49 patients who received platinum rechallenge therapy for ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who were once diagnosed with platinum-resistant recurrence between January 2010 and March 2021 and evaluated the efficacy and safety of this treatment. In addition, patient background factors were identified, and independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were investigated.
Results: A complete response was noted in 7 cases, partial response in 21, stable disease in 9, and progressive disease in 10. The response and disease control rates were 55% and 76%, respectively. The median PFS and OS were 8.5 months and 35.8 months, respectively. The independent prognostic factor was PFI for OS, and there was no independent prognostic factor for PFS. Seven patients discontinued chemotherapy owing to serious adverse events, including one patient with treatment-related death.
Conclusion: Platinum rechallenge therapy for patients with platinum-resistant recurrence did not cause previously unreported adverse events, and the adverse events were manageable. In addition, high response and disease control rates were observed, as well as long-term OS. Platinum rechallenge therapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer may be a viable treatment option.
Keywords: Ovarian cancer; chemotherapy; platinum rechallenge therapy; platinum-resistant recurrence.
Copyright © 2022 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.