A phase II trial of paclitaxel poliglumex in recurrent or persistent ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer (EOC): A gynecologic oncology group study

Abstract Objectives To estimate the anti-tumor activity and toxicity of paclitaxel poliglumex (PPX) in patients with persistent or recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer (EOC) in second or third line treatment. Method Twenty-five patients received PPX at 235 mg/m 2 every 21 days (Cohort 1). At a planned analysis following first stage accrual, the dose was reduced to 175 mg/m 2 Cohort 2) for additional accrual to 78 patients. RECIST and CTC toxicity criteria were used. Results Patients received PPX in the second line (15%) and third line (85%) setting. In cohort 2, 25 out of 47 determined cases (53%) were platinum resistant and 17 out of 43 determined cases (40%) were taxane-resistant. The overall response rates for cohort 2 were 0/49 (0%) CR, 8/49 (16%) PR, and 20/49 (41%) SD. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.8 months (95% CI 1.48–4.8 months) and median overall survival (OS) was 15.4 months. The most frequent grade III or IV toxicities in cohort 2 were: neutropenia (24%/20%), constitutional (8%/0%), gastrointestinal (6%/0%), and neuropathy (24%/0%). Conclusion PPX at 175 mg/m 2 every 21 days has a modest activity of limited duration when given as second or third line therapy in patients with epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer. The incidence of neuropathy using this dose in recurrent ovarian cancer is higher than predicted from studies in other tumors with PPX. The Gynecology Oncology Group (GOG) is currently exploring its use at 135 mg/m 2 every 28 days in a randomized trial evaluating maintenance chemotherapy in first remission.