Importance of platinum-free interval in second-line chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer

To investigate the effectiveness of platinum-based combination chemotherapy as second-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer treated initially by platinum-based combination chemotherapy.

Subjects were patients who had received platinum-based combination chemotherapy as second-line chemotherapy: 56 patients with recurrent disease who had previously received postoperative adjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy (Category 1) and 21 patients who had received first-line chemotherapy but not adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent disease (Category 2). Patients' records were searched for the response to second-line chemotherapy and survival, particularly in relation to the platinum-free interval (PFI).

APFI over 12 months was a predictor of response (64.7%) and overall survival time (23 months) in Category 1 patients. A PFI of less than three months was a negative predictor of response (0%) and overall survival (nine months) in Category 2 patients.

Platinum-based combination chemotherapy appears to be effective as second-line chemotherapy for endometrial cancer if the PFI is sufficiently long.