Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the combination of oxaliplatin, ifosfamide and epirubicin (IAP) in treatment of recurrent or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients.
Methods: A total of 25 patients received the combined chemotherapy of ifosfamide (3 - 4 g/m(2)), epirubicin (50 - 60 mg/m(2)) and oxaliplatin (130 mg/m(2)). The cycles were repeated every 21 days. The efficacy and toxicity were evaluated in 21 patients who received more than 2 cycles of IAP chemotherapy.
Results: The overall response rate was 71%, with a complete response in 10 (48%), partial response in 5 (24%), stable disease in one (5%), and disease progression in 5 (24%). The median progression-free and overall survival time were 11 (1 to 33) months and 31 (1 to 71) months. While overall response rate was 60% in 10 patients with primary platinum resistant, and 88% in 8 patients with secondary platinum-resistant. Grade III - IV myelosuppression rate was 30%. The most common non-hematologic toxicity was perineurotoxicity (38%).
Conclusions: The combination of oxaliplatin, ifosfamide and epirubicin appears to be effective for recurrent or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients as salvage chemotherapy and the toxicity is also tolerable. However, it needs to be evaluated by multiple clinical trials.