The current role of gemcitabine in ovarian cancer

Despite advances in treatment, ovarian cancer remains the number one gynecologic killer in the Western world. Cytoreductive surgery followed by combination chemotherapy results in an approximately 75% complete remission rate in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, most patients who do achieve a clinical complete remission ultimately have disease recurrence, at which point a cure remains elusive. Two major strategies are currently being tested in clinical trials in an effort to improve survival. The first is to develop more effective combination chemotherapy regimens that not only increase the overall response rate, but also lead to an increased duration of response. The second is to develop effective maintenance therapies that prevent or delay relapses in those patients who do achieve a complete remission following standard chemotherapy. Gemcitabine (Gemzar; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN) has undergone investigation in a series of phase I and II clinical trials that have demonstrated its safety and efficacy. It is currently being tested in novel, new combinations for use in previously untreated patients as part of the strategy to develop more effective induction chemotherapy for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Semin Oncol 28 (suppl 7):18-24.