Docetaxel, carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TCF) chemotherapy in patients with unresectable metastatic carcinoma of cervix

ObjectivesThis retrospective study evaluates the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy with docetaxel, carboplatin and 5-FU (TCF) in patients with metastatic cervical carcinoma.MethodsBetween January 2006 and April 2007, 23 patients with metastatic cervical carcinoma were included in the study. Patients fulfilling the following criteria were enrolled: histologically confirmed metastatic cervical carcinoma; documented progressive disease (PD) after cisplatinum-based treatment if applicable; an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance scale of 0–2; not candidates for local therapy; measurable metastatic lesions as assessed by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST); and adequate hematologic, hepatic, and renal functions. Treatment consisted of intravenous docetaxel at 60 mg/m2 diluted in 500 ml 5% glucose administered over 1 h on day1, followed by carboplatin (AUC of 5 or 6) given as a 1-h intravenous infusion delivered on day 2, followed by 5-FU at 500 mg/m2 diluted in 500 ml normal saline continuously infusion for 24 h for 2 days on day 2. Chemotherapy was repeated every 21 days, and a total of 1–5 courses were performed.ResultsThere were 3 (13%) complete responses; 4(17%) partial responses; 6 (26%) with stable disease, and 10 (43%) with disease progression. The overall response rate was 56%. After a median follow-up of 16 months, the median overall survival was 12 months. Neutropenia was the most severe toxicity.ConclusionsThe combination of docetaxel, carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TCF) appears to have activity in metastatic cervical carcinoma with acceptable toxicity profile.