A phase II trial of CPT-11 in recurrent squamous carcinoma of the cervix: a gynecologic oncology group study

To determine the response rate and associated toxicity of weekly CPT-11 in squamous carcinoma of the cervix.

From October 1994 to May 1996, the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) conducted a Phase II trial in patients with recurrent squamous cervix carcinoma. The schedule employed weekly x4 intravenous CPT-11 at 125 mg/m2 followed with a 2-week rest, to be repeated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Eligibility criteria were a GOG performance status of 0-2, adequate bone marrow reserve, adequate liver function, and serum creatinine <2 mg%. None of the patients had received prior chemotherapy other than radiation sensitizers. Standard GOG toxicity and response criteria were used.

Fifty-four patients were entered into the trial. Three patients were ineligible because of wrong cell type (N = 2) or inadequate pathology material (N = 1). Two were inevaluable because of inadequate trial of drug. An additional 4 patients were inevaluable for response. Thus, 49 were evaluable for toxicity and 45 were evaluable for response. The median age of patients was 45 years (range, 29-71 years). The median number of weekly doses delivered was 7 (range, 1-46). The incidence of grade 4 neutropenia and anemia was 6.1 and 4.1%, respectively. Nineteen patients (38.8%) developed gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity including 8 with grade 3 and 11 with grade 4 severity. The overall response rate was 13.3% (6/45). There was 1 patient death from GI toxicity. There was one complete response of 8.8 months duration and 5 partial responses.

OFFis schedule of CPT-11 exhibits modest activity with moderate toxicity in patients with recurrent squamous carcinoma of the cervix.