Paclitaxel (Taxol) treatment for refractory ovarian cancer: phase II clinical trial.

Our aim was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel in the treatment of refractory and platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer. Eligibility required three prior failed chemotherapy regimens and documented platinum resistance. One hundred patients with advanced ovarian cancer received paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 over 24 hours every 21 days with optional granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. Paclitaxel was generally well tolerated. In four patients bowel perforation or fistula developed. After three cycles 34% of patients had stable disease and 25% of patients demonstrated a response, either partial or complete. After six cycles 24% of patients continued to respond. To date, six patients have achieved a complete response. A 25% response rate in patients with refractory ovarian cancer was observed, which was durable to six cycles.