Platinum-resistant and refractory ovarian cancer: Second-line treatment options

Despite an initial response rate of greater than 70% to platinum-based chemotherapy, most patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer eventually develop and succumb to recurrent disease. Ovarian cancer patients with platinum-resistant and -refractory disease have the lowest response rates to salvage chemotherapy. Various chemotherapeutic agents, such as paclitaxel, liposomal doxorubicin, topotecan, docetaxel, platinum, etoposide, ifosfamide, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine, are available and result in response rates of 7-40%. Unfortunately, salvage therapy is not curative, and treatment is palliative. Therefore, the therapeutic choice must consider not only the best opportunity for response, but also the tolerability profile, quality-of-life issues, cost of therapy, and patient convenience. Patients should be encouraged to enroll in clinical trials evaluating novel agents and administration schedules.

Duke Scholars

Author Angeles Alvarez Secord Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology