Evaluation of paclitaxel/carboplatin in a dose dense or weekly regimen in 66 patients with recurrent or primary metastatic cervical cancer

Background and aimsTo evaluate paclitaxel/carboplatin in a dose dense (TCdd) and weekly (TCw) regimen in recurrent or primary metastatic cervical cancer.MethodsSix courses of paclitaxel (90 mg/m2) and carboplatin (area under the curve (AUC) 4) were administered on d1, d8 q3 wks in TCdd. Eighteen courses of paclitaxel (60 mg/m2) and carboplatin (AUC 2.7) were administered weekly in TCw. Response rates were determined using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) 1.1 criteria. Toxicity was evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) Criteria.ResultsSixty-six patients were included (44 TCdd and 22 TCw). TCdd and TCw were administered as first-line chemotherapy in 48% and 41%, second-line in 43% and 18%, and third/fourth-line in 9% and 41%, respectively. Response (confirmed or unconfirmed) was observed in 58% and 36% for TCdd and TCw, respectively. As first-line, the response rates for TCdd and TCw were the same (55%). As second or more line, the response rates for TCdd and TCw were 61% and 29%, respectively. In patients, receiving TCdd as first-line systemic treatment, median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was 10 and 5 months. As first-line, the median OS for TCw also was 10 months (median PFS not reached). There was no statistical difference in PFS or OS between patients treated with TCw or TCdd. Grade 3–4 toxicity was mostly bone-marrow related and was more common with TCdd. Febrile neutropenia was observed in 0% and 12% of the patients treated with TCw and TCdd, respectively.ConclusionsCombination of paclitaxel and carboplatin in a dose dense regimen or weekly regimen resulted in favourable response rate and toxicity profile compared with cisplatin-based combination regimens. TCdd appears to be more toxic than TCw, but resulted in higher response rates than TCw in patients with recurrent metastatic cervical cancer who received prior chemotherapy.