Carboplatin plus paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of carboplatin plus paclitaxel in patients with advanced, metastatic and recurrent endometrial cancer. Methods Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify endometrial cancer patients treated in the Gynecologic Cancer Program of the Cleveland Clinic with carboplatin/paclitaxel who had both a histologic diagnosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma and either measurable (CT scan, physical examination) or evaluable (CA-125 criteria) disease. Results From 1994 to 2003, 22 individuals (median age 65 years) meeting the above noted criteria received a total of 23 courses of carboplatin (AUC 4–6)/paclitaxel (135–175 mg/m2) administered on a 21-day schedule (median six cycles/patient). The overall response rate was 87% (20/23). The most common toxicity was hematologic. Five patients required dose reductions due to excessive toxicity (three hematologic, one gastrointestinal, one fatigue). There were no treatment related deaths. With a median follow-up of 42 months, 13 patients have died of progressive cancer, while four currently have no evidence of disease at the time of last follow-up. Conclusions The combination of carboplatin plus paclitaxel demonstrates substantial biological activity in endometrial adenocarcinoma. The safety and efficacy of this regimen makes it an attractive option for first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma.