Replacement of cisplatin with carboplatin in combination chemotherapy against ovarian cancer: Long-term treatment results of a study of the gynaecological cancer cooperative group of the EORTC and experience at the Netherlands Cancer Institute

Carboplatin-based chemotherapy has been evaluated in three studies of ovarian cancer patients. In the first, combination cisplatin and carboplatin plus doxorubicin/hexamethylmelamine/cyclophosphamide were compared as first-line treatment of ovarian cancer in 341 women with stage IIB to IV disease. There were no observed differences in results between the two treatment groups. In the second study, conventional doses of intravenous carboplatin (350 mg/m², given on day 1) plus oral cyclophosphamide (100 mg/m² days 2 to 6) were given to late-relapsing patients (12 to 72 months) previously treated with cisplatin. Mature data showed a 55% overall response rate, acceptable toxicity, and an absence of additive neurotoxicity. Finally, 65 patients with refractory disease or in early relapse after cisplatin therapy (within 12 months) were treated with high-dose carboplatin (800 mg/m²). Toxicity was severe, but the 45% combined response rate was considered encouraging and worthy of further evaluation. It was concluded that carboplatin is an appropriate replacement for cisplatin in the treatment of ovarian cancer.