Decreased hypersensitivity reactions with carboplatin-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin compared to carboplatin-paclitaxel combination: Analysis from the GCIG CALYPSO relapsing ovarian cancer trial

ObjectiveTo describe and analyze observed hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) from the randomized, multicenter phase III CALYPSO trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of the combination of carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (CD) compared with standard carboplatin–paclitaxel (CP) in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (ROC).MethodsHSR documented within case report forms and SAE reports were specifically analyzed. Analyses were based on the population with allergy of any grade and for grade > 2 allergy.ResultsOverall 976 patients were recruited to this phase III trial, with toxicity data available for 466 and 502 on the CD and CP arms, respectively. There was a 15.5% HSR rate associated with CD (2.4% grade > 2) versus 33.1% with CP (8.8% grade > 2), p < 0.001. HSRs occurred more often during first cycle in the CD (46%) arm than in the CP arm (16%). Multivariate predictors of allergy were chemotherapy regimen and age; patients randomized to CD and patients ≥ 70 years old on CP had less allergy. Few patients (< 6%) stopped treatment due to allergy. Allergy rates were higher in patients who did not receive prior supportive treatment; however there was no relationship between allergy and the type of carboplatin product received, or response rate.ConclusionsUse of PLD with carboplatin instead of paclitaxel and older age were the only 2 factors predicting a low rate of HSRs in patients with ROC. CD has previously demonstrated superior progression-free survival and therapeutic index than CP. Taken together these data support the use of CD as a safe and effective therapeutic option for platinum-sensitive ROC.

Research highlights
► PLD-carboplatin was compared with paclitaxel–carboplatin in relapsed ovarian cancer.
► The incidence of hypersensitivity reactions between treatment groups was analyzed.
► PLD with carboplatin instead of paclitaxel predicted a low rate of hypersensitivity.