[Early results of topotecan therapy in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer].

INTRODUCTION: Topotecan inhibits the topoisomerase-I enzyme resulting its stabilisation on the DNA and the suspension of replication and transcription. AIMS: The authors summarized their first experience on second-line topotecan treatment in a prospective non-randomized study. METHOD: Topotecan was given for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer in the dose of 1.5 mg/m2/d for 5 days repeated in every 3 weeks in a 30-minute infusion intravenously. RESULTS: Twenty five recurrent ovarian cancer patients were treated between March, 1999 and March, 2001. Complete and partial response rates were found 12% and 12%, respectively. Stable disease was observed in 48% of patients for 4-8 courses, then progression continued. In these 3 groups of patients the median progression free interval was shown as 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: When comparing to previous chemotherapies, topotecan treatment failed to show a definitive improvement in the outcome of recurrent ovarian cancer.