High-dose-intensity regimen of weekly doxorubicin and cisplatin in the treatment of patients with stage III and IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Thirty-seven eligible patients with stage III or IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma were treated with weekly doxorubicin and weekly escalating cisplatin in an attempt to improve outcome by increasing the dose intensity of chemotherapy as compared to more conventional regimens given every 3-4 weeks. There was a 63% clinical response rate, with a median survival time of 18 months. Six patients (16.2%) had a complete surgical/histologic response (negative second-look laparotomy). Two patients had treatment-related deaths, and severe toxicity was responsible for four other patients having to discontinue treatment prematurely. The toxicity of this regimen jeopardized received (as opposed to projected) dose intensity and the regimen therefore offered no improvement compared to other drug combinations and schedules.