Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

10:58
Quantitation of Intra-peritoneal Ovarian Cancer Metastasis
Published on: July 18, 2016
Topotecan for ovarian cancer
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|April 22, 2008
Summary
Topotecan shows similar effectiveness to paclitaxel and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for ovarian cancer treatment, but with different side effect profiles. Further high-quality trials are needed to determine optimal topotecan regimens.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Topotecan is a chemotherapeutic agent used for ovarian cancer.
- Systematic reviews on topotecan's efficacy and safety in ovarian cancer are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of topotecan in treating ovarian cancer.
Main Methods:
- Searched multiple databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, EORTC, and CBM.
- Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing topotecan with other treatments.
- Two reviewers independently extracted and analyzed data.
Main Results:
- Six poor-quality RCTs with 1323 participants were included.
- Topotecan demonstrated comparable progression-free survival to pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) but was more hematologically toxic than paclitaxel or PLD.
- Topotecan showed improved progression delay compared to paclitaxel, with a 21-day cycle being more effective and toxic than a 42-day cycle.
Conclusions:
- Topotecan exhibits similar effectiveness to paclitaxel and PLD, but with distinct side effect profiles.
- Larger, well-designed RCTs are necessary to establish optimal topotecan treatment regimens for ovarian cancer.
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