ovarian cancer : Topotecan Not Recommended for Ovarian Cancer

When added to standard first-line chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer, the drug topotecan doesn't increase patient survival and is not recommended, a German study says.

A combination of carboplatin and paclitaxil is the current standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancer . While research has shown this treatment is effective and has low toxicity, cancer recurrence and death rates remain high, according to background information in the article.

The study, published in the Aug. 2 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, included 1,308 patients with untreated ovarian cancer. They received paclitaxil and carboplatin, followed by either topotecan or surveillance.

Topotecan did not improve patient survival or survival without cancer recurrence. The study also found topotecan treatment increased the frequency of blood-related toxicities and infections.

The researchers concluded that topotecan should not be used as part of first-line treatment in ovarian cancer patients.

"Carboplatin-paclitaxel remains the standard of care for patients with advanced ovarian cancer," the authors wrote.

by Robert Preidt