Liposomal doxorubicin in ovarian, peritoneal, and tubal carcinoma: A retrospective comparative study of single-agent dosages

Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative activity and to lerance of liposomal doxorubicin in recurrent ovarian, peritoneal, and tuba l carcinoma at an initial dose of 40 or 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks. Methods. A retrospective single-institution study was performed on patients who received liposomal doxorubicin from 1/97 to 12/00. Demographic data, l iposomal doxorubicin dose, dose reductions, response, and progression-free and overall survival were recorded. Results. Seventy-eight patients, 38 treated at 40 mg/m(2) and 40 treated at 50 mg/m(2), were identified. There was no difference with respect to patie nt age, performance status, percentage of patients who were platinum resist ant or paclitaxel resistant, or tumor bulk. The response rate in this highl y resistant population was 13.5 and 7.7% for liposomal doxorubicin at 40 an d 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks, respectively. Stable disease was observed in 49 and 51% of patients treated with liposomal doxorubicin at a dose of 40 and 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks, respectively. The progression-free survival for patients with responding and stable disease was similar. Dose reductions we re required in 27.5% of patients treated at 50 mg/m(2) versus no patients t reated at 40 mg/m2 (P < 0.001). Treatment delays due to toxicity were requi red in 32.5% of patients treated at 50 mg/m(2) versus 16% of patients treat ed at 40 mg/m(2) (P = 0.14). Conclusion. Liposomal doxorubicin at a dose of 40 mg/m(2) appears to be as active as liposomal doxorubicin at a dose of 50 mg/m(2) in ovarian, periton eal, and tubal carcinoma and is better tolerated based on the frequency of dose reductions and treatment delays. (C) 2001 Academic Press.