581 ‘Long Term’ Treatment With Topotecan in Recurrent Ovarian Carcinoma

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of long term therapy with topotecan in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Methods and Materials: Among 70 patients treated with topotecan at the Gynecologic Oncology Division of the University of Bari between 1999 and 2003, we found 15 (21%) with at least 7 courses of topotecan (1.5 mg/sqm day 1-5 every 3 weeks). Mean age of the patients was 54 years (range 31-81). in 7 patients this regimen was a second line-chemotherapy, in 5 a third line and in 3 a fourth line. Seven patients were considered platinum sensitive. Results: A total of 134 cycles were administered, with a median of 9 cycles (range 7-16) of topotecan. Ten patients (66%) had G3-G4 haematolologic toxicity, mainly leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Eight patients (53%) had a response (4 CR and 4 PR), with a median duration of 9 months (range 5-21), in 5 out of 7 (71%) in platinum sensitive and 3 out of 8 (37%) in platinum resistant patients. Conclusions: "Long-term" administration of topotecan is feasible with a moderate toxicity and results in a good response rate both in platinum sensitive and resistant patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.