Phase I trial of weekly docetaxel and carboplatin in patients with recurrent squamous carcinoma of the cervix after chemoradiation
15023 Background: Treatment for recurrent cervical cancer is palliative; therefore a low side effect profile is important. The combination of docetaxel and carboplatin has been used for the initial treatment of cervical cancer with success. We assessed the tolerance of a weekly schedule in patients with recurrent cervical cancer after chemoradiation. Methods: Patients with advanced recurrent squamous carcinoma of the cervix with a performance status of 2 or better were enlisted in a phase I study evaluating carboplatin at an AUC of 2 and docetaxel at the following dose levels: L1, 25 mg/m2; L2, 30 mg/m2; L3, 35 mg/m2; and L4, 40 mg/m2 i.v. for 3 consecutive weeks of a 4 week cycle. Results: So far 9 patients have been completely evaluated. The median age is 55 years. The median time to recurrence is 13 months. Previous treatment included chemoradiation and in 2 patients additional platinum based chemotherapy. Areas of metastasis included the lung, lymphnodes, abdomen, liver and the pelvis. Dose levels 1 to 3 are completed. A total of 34 courses were administered, an average of 3.6 per patient. One patient received 8 courses. Treatment was discontinued due to progressive disease in 7 patients and due to toxicity in 2 patients one with grade 3 onycholysis and another with a grade 3 allergic reaction to carboplatin. There were no treatment delays due to hematologic toxicity, no grade 2 or higher granulocytopenia, no thrombocytopenia. The mean hemoglobin level dropped from 12 g/dl prior to course 1 to 10.6 g/dl prior to course 3 and 10.2 g/dl prior to course 5. No grade 3 anemia was seen. The main non-hematologic side effects were fatigue, nausea and alopecia, none of which reached grade 3. Accrual on the L4 cohort is still ongoing. Conclusions: The combination of docetaxel and carboplatin given on a weekly schedule is well tolerated in patients with recurrent cervical cancer after chemoradiation. Dose levels similar to those reported for initial treatment can be reached. [Table: see text]