Induction chemotherapy with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin for locally advanced cervical carcinoma

Induction chemotherapy followed by surgery, particularly with newer agents or combinations, remains to be explored in locally advanced cervical cancer. Gemcitabine cisplatin is a very active combination for this tumor, therefore we explored the activity of gemcitabine in combination with oxaliplatin. Ten untreated patients with histologic diagnosis of cervical carcinoma and staged as IB2 to IIIB were treated with 3 21-day courses of oxaliplatin 130 mg/m day 1 and gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m days 1 and 8 followed by locoregional treatment with either surgery or concomitant chemoradiation. Response and toxicity were evaluated at the end of chemotherapy. All patients were evaluable. The overall clinical response rate was 80%, being complete in 3 patients (30%) and partial in 5 (50%). Seven (70%) patients underwent surgery, and three (30%) had chemoradiation as definitive treatment. Hematologic toxicity was moderate, with leukopenia grades III-IV in 17 and 0%; granulocytopenia grades III-IV in 23 and 3%, respectively. Eight patients had grade I oropharyngeal toxicity. At a median follow-up of 11 months (range: 10-12), all patients are disease free. Gemcitabine oxaliplatin is a very active and well-tolerated combination for locally advanced cervical cancer.