Tamoxifen in the treatment of recurrent ovarian carcinoma.

This review examines the evidence for useful clinical activity of tamoxifen in women with ovarian carcinoma who have failed conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. The optimised search strategy of the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Collaborative Review Group by Williams was used. Tamoxifen demonstrates a modest degree of effectiveness in ovarian cancer refractory to cytotoxic chemotherapy. The overall objective response rate in all trials (647 patients) was approximately 11%. There is, however, a wide variation in the objective response rates in the different trials (0-56%). Tamoxifen therapy has limited efficacy in refractory ovarian carcinoma. However, considering the mild toxicity of tamoxifen, occasional long-term palliation and lack of alternatives, the drug has a useful role in heavily pretreated patients with ovarian cancer.