A phase II trial of edatrexate in previously treated squamous cell cervical cancer: a Gynecologic Oncology Group...

A Phase II trial of edatrexate in patients with recurrent cervical carcinoma was conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG). Twenty patients were treated with edatrexate at a dose of 80 mg/m2 i.v. weekly for 5 consecutive weeks per cycle. Four patients received an inadequate trial and were inevaluable for response. Among the 16 patients evaluable for response, there were no objective responses: 50% had stable disease, 50% had progressive disease. All 20 patients were evaluable for toxicity, predominantly stomatitis and bone marrow suppression were substantial. Grades 3-4 bone marrow toxicity were observed in eight of 20 (40%) patients, and there were two deaths due to neutropenic sepsis. Fanconi's syndrome, possibly treatment related, was seen in two patients. Edatrexate administered in this dose and schedule has no demonstrated activity and has severe toxicity in patients with previously-treated advanced cervical cancer.