CARBOPLATIN AND CHLORAMBUCIL COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY AS TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH OVARIAN-CANCER

Fifty-six patients with ovarian cancer (three stage IC, nine stage II, 33 stage III and 11 stage IV) were treated with carboplatin 350 Mg m- 2 i.v. day 1 and chlorambucil orally 0.15 mg kgm-1 days 1-7 inclusive, repeated every 28 days for eight courses. The regimen was well tolera ted and was virtually free of nephro- and neurotoxicity. Grade III or IV hematologic toxicity occurred in 18 patients but only 31 or 330 cou rses administered were delayed. Of 40 assessable patients eight achiev ed a clinical/radiologic complete response and 17 a clinical/radiologi c partial response. Actuarial survival at 50 months was 65% for stage II patients, 27% for stage III patients and no stage IV patients survi ved beyond 20 months. Forty-two per cent of patients with residual dis ease less 2 cm survived 50 months, compared with 44% of patients with moderate volume (2-5 cm) residual disease and 6% of patients with bulk residual disease. This is an active, well tolerated regimen. However, only patients with small volume residual disease have a significant c hance of prolonged survival.