Improved survival with single-agent paclitaxel consolidation/maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian carcinoma

Consolidation/maintenance therapy in the standard management of ovarian cancer remains controversial, primarily due to the unknown impact of this strategy on overall survival.

We examined the survival of a previously reported patient population consecutively treated with either 3 cycles (group A; n = 13 patients) or 12 cycles (group B; n = 13) of single-agent paclitaxel consolidation following 6 cycles of primary induction chemotherapy comprising 6 cycles of carboplatin (AUC = 5), paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) and gemcitabine (800 mg/m(2)).

There were no differences in the 2 patient populations regarding known relevant prognostic factors (age, stage, tumor grade). The median progression-free survival was 11 months for group A and 24 months for group B (p = 0.0062). The median overall survival in group A was 38 months and was not reached in group B (p = 0.0019). Current follow-up for these 2 patient groups exceeds 43 months.

We recognize the important limitations of this study, particularly its sample size and nonrandomized nature. However, these data provide support for the conclusion that paclitaxel 'maintenance/consolidation' therapy may favorably impact overall and progression-free survival in advanced ovarian cancer patients who achieve an excellent response to primary platinum-based chemotherapy.