A phase II study of carboplatin and cisplatin in advanced ovarian cancer

In view of the single agent activity of both cisplatin and carboplatin in epithelial ovarian cancer, and their different toxicity profiles, we carried out a phase II study of low dose cisplatin (50 mg/m2) in combination with moderate dose carboplatin (300 mg/m2) in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Fourteen patients, all of whom had bulky disease and over half of whom had Stage IV disease, were eligible for assessment of response and toxicity. An overall response rate of 71% was demonstrated (57% complete response, 14% partial response), which is at least equivalent to other regimens used in first line treatment of ovarian cancer. Toxicities encountered were nausea/vomiting and myelosuppression, however no serious renal neuro or ototoxicity was observed and the regimen does not cause significant alopecia. This combination may be a practical alternative to regimens which use high dose cisplatin to achieve similar efficacy.