[Gemcitabine based combination chemotherapy, a new salvage regimen for recurrent platinum resistant epithelial ovarian cancer].

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of gemcitabine combined with ifosfamide and anthracycline chemotherapy for recurrent platinum resistant ovarian epithelial cancer.Methods Gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 ( day 1, 8 ), ifosfamide 1.5 g/m2 ( day 1 - 3 ), adriamycin 40 mg/m2 or epirubicin 60 mg/m2 (day 1 ) or mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 (day 1, 8 ) were used in recurrent platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer patients, the cycle was repeated at interval of 21 to 28 days.Results A total of 60 patients received 172 cycles combined chemotherapy.There were no one cases complete response, while partial response 22 (37%, 22/60), stable 23 (38%, 23/60) and progression 15 (25%,15/60) were observed, with clinical benefit rate 75% (45/60).The median time of progression-free survival was 7 months, and the median overall survival time was 20 months.The main side effect was hematologic toxicity with leukopenia rate of 82% (49/60), among which Ⅲ - Ⅳ accounted for 31%(15/49).Digestive reaction was all in Ⅰ - Ⅱ , accounted for 42% (25/60).Conclusion The regimen of gemcitabine combined with ifosfamide and anthracycline is feasible, tolerable and effective in patients with recurrent platinum resistant/refractory epithelial ovarian cancer. Key words: Antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; Ifosfamide; Ovarian neoplasms; Neoplasm recurrence, local; Gemcitabine