Irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) and mitomycin C as the first line chemotherapy for ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report the results of adjuvant CPT-11 and MMC combination chemotherapy (CPT-M) for ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma (OCCA). METHODS: Between 1996 and 2002, 20 patients with OCCA underwent primary debulking surgery and received 6 treatments of CPT-11 (140 mg/m2) in combination with MMC (7 mg/m2), 2 weeks apart with a space of 3-4 weeks between the 3rd and 4th treatment in adjuvant setting. Overall survival was compared with our historical control treated between 1983 and 1995, in which 14 patients with OCCA were treated with an initial optimal standard surgery and postoperative adjuvant cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP) combination chemotherapy. RESULTS: Median age was 51 years old (range, 29-74). Twelve patients were in stage Ic, 1 in stage IIa, 5 in stage IIc, 1 in stage IIIc, and 1 in stage IV. Optimal cytoreduction with standard surgery was obtained in all 20 patients. The major toxicity with this regimen was neutropenia, which was reversible. The incidences of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia were 25% and 15%, respectively. The non-hematological toxicities were generally mild and well tolerated. One patient with stage Ic refused chemotherapy after the first cycle of CPT-M, and died of her disease 8 months after initial surgery. Five-year survival rate was 95.0% for CPT-M group, and 63.5% for CAP group (P = 0.042). Survival was significantly better for patients treated with CPT-M. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study shows that the combination of CPT-M appears to be safe and useful in patients with OCCA. Prospective randomized trials should be conducted to assess this regimen appropriate for women with OCCA.