An update of a phase II study of paclitaxel in advanced or recurrent squamous cell cancer of the cervix.

Thirty-two evaluable patients with squamous cell cancer of the cervix were treated with i.v. paclitaxel 250 mg/m2 over 3 h every 21 days. They received standard premedications and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) support (5 micrograms/kg/day). Median (range) age was 49 (29-81) years and performance status Zubrod was 1 (0-2). One patient had a complete response and seven patients had a partial response (25%, 95% CI 8-38%). The median survival was 7.3 months. Granulocytopenia was brief and non-cumulative. G-CSF was used for a median (range) of 8 (1-15) days per cycle. paclitaxel is active in patients with squamous cell cancer of the cervix and is well tolerated in this dose schedule with G-CSF support.