Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II): second line induction chemotherapy in advanced ovarian adenocarcinoma

Twenty-one evaluable patients received second-line chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian adenocarcinoma with induction Cisplatin given weekly followed by monthly combination chemotherapy. Forty-two percent of the patients responded to induction weekly Cisplatin. Of the responders, 77% are alive as compared to only 8% of the nonresponders. Maintenance of the responses by monthly combination chemotherapy remains a significant problem. Moreover, 83% and 70% of patients who received weekly Cisplatin as first- and third-line induction chemotherapy, respectively, had objective responses. Of the total 43 patients who received weekly Cisplatin as first-, second-, or third-line chemotherapy, 60% responded, including complete clinical responses in 14% and partial responses in 46%.