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.