Intraperitoneal Therapy of Ovarian Cancer

PURPOSE: This is a review of the rationale for the intraperitoneal administration of antineoplastic agents in the management of ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients have been treated in a number of clinical trials to define the toxicity profile and efficacy of intraperitoneal therapy in this clinical setting. RESULTS: Phase I-II trials have confirmed that a number of cytotoxic and biological agents can be administered into the peritoneal cavity as treatment of ovarian cancer with an acceptable toxicity profile and with the attainment of surgically documented responses (including complete responses). In addition, a recently reported phase III trial comparing initial treatment of small-volume residual advanced ovarian cancer with either intravenous or intraperitoneal cisplatin concluded that the intraperitoneal route of drug administration was associated with a longer survival and less toxicity. DISCUSSION: In the salvage (second-line) setting, responses to intraperitoneally administered antineoplastic agents are seen principally in individuals with small-volume residual disease (largest tumor mass