Oxaliplatin/5fluorouracil-based chemotherapy was active and well tolerated in heavily pretreated patients with ovarian carcinoma

The prognosis of patients with platinum refractory disease is dismal. We present data from heavily pretreated patients to whom the folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (Folfox) regimen was administered. The objectives were to assess response rate and to evaluate the safety profile.

Patients with recurrent, resistant or refractory pretreated ovarian carcinoma were eligible for oxaliplatin (85 mg/m²) and leucovorin (200 mg/m²), both given as a 2-h infusion on day 1, followed by a 48-h infusion of 5FU 2,600 mg/m² every 2 weeks.

Fourteen patients were treated. Median age: 56 years (49–70). Median number of previous chemotherapy regimens: 5 (3–10) and previous platinum-based regimens: 2 (1–3). Median chemotherapy-free interval (interval since the completion of the last-line chemotherapy before the administration of the Folfox regimen): 9.5 weeks (1–39). Median number of administered cycles of Folfox/patient: 8 (2–11 cycles). Two (14.5%) patients had a disease complete response, 2 (14.5%)—partial response, 4 (29%)—stable disease and 6 (43%)—progressive disease. Four (29%) patients had a CA-125 complete response, 2 (14.5%)—CA-125 partial response, 5 (35.5%)—stable CA-125 levels and 3 (21%)—progressive CA-125 levels. There were no grade 4 adverse events or deaths due to the treatment. No dose modifications were required due to toxicity.

Folfox seems to be a valuable option for heavily pre-treated patients with ovarian cancer, with an overall response rate, according to RECIST criteria, of 29% and disease stabilization in an additional 29% of patients, with a manageable toxicity profile. These results support further assessment of Folfox as salvage treatment for patients with carcinoma of the ovary or fallopian tube.