Oral etoposide is active against platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer.

Abstract

PURPOSE To determine whether etoposide (VP16) is more effective when administered on a chronic schedule, women with clinically defined platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) were studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-one eligible women were treated with oral VP16. The first seven received a dose that varied depending on their body-surface area, but this proved too toxic, and so a fixed dose of 100 mg orally per day for 14 days every 3 weeks was used for the other subjects. RESULTS The response rate was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11% to 41%). The 28 women with cancer that had progressed while they were receiving a platinum analog had a response rate of 21% (95% CI, 6% to 36%). Response durations were short. CONCLUSION When administered on this chronic schedule, VP16 has activity against platinum-resistant EOC.