Treatment of ovarian cancer: current status

Cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum-based combination chemotherapy has been standard therapy for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Despite advances in surgery and in the development of a less toxic platinum compound (carboplatin), most patients with advanced ovarian cancer are not cured. Current clinical trials focus on dose-intense chemotherapy, routes and schedules of administration, and the role of paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, Princeton, NJ). This novel agent has been shown to be highly active in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel together with platinum (ie, cisplatin or carboplatin) combinations are now being tested in prospective randomized trials and in pilot studies in previously untreated patients with advanced disease.