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Results of a European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Early Clinical Studies Group Phase II Trial of First-Line Irinotecan in Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix

From the Institut G. Roussy and Hôpital P. Brousse, Villejuif; Centre R. Gauducheau, Nantes; Centre J.F. Leclerc, Dijon; Centre A. Vautrin, Nancy; Institut Curie, Paris; Fondation Bergonié, Bordeaux; Centre O. Lambret, Lille; Centre L. Bérard, Lyon; Centre C. Regaud, Toulouse; Laboratoires Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Montrouge; Centre H. Becquerel, Rouen, France; and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels, Belgium.

Address reprint requests to Catherine Lhommé, MD, Institut Gustave Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France; email lhomme{at}igr.fr

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and tolerability of irinotecan (CPT-11) in advanced or recurrent cervical carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had histologically confirmed, inoperable, progressive, metastatic or recurrent squamous cell cervical carcinoma and had received no radiotherapy in the preceding 3 months and had never received chemotherapy. The initial irinotecan dosage of 350 mg/m² every 3 weeks was modifiable according to toxicity. Treatment continued for six cycles after complete response, or until disease progression or excessive toxicity after partial response, or for three additional cycles in the case of stable disease. Patients were stratified into group A ( one measurable lesion in a previously unirradiated area, with or without progressive disease in irradiated fields) or group B (measurable new lesion[s] in an irradiated field).

RESULTS: Fifty-one of 55 enrolled patients were eligible for inclusion (median age, 47 years; range, 30 to 71 years). The response rate was 15.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.0% to 28.6%) overall, 23.5% (95% CI, 10.7% to 41.2%) for group A (complete response, 2.9%), and zero for group B. The median time to progression and median survival were 4.0 and 8.2 months for group A and 2.5 and 4.2 months for group B, respectively. The major grade 3/4 toxicities for groups A and B were diarrhea (24.3% and 55.5%, respectively) and neutropenia (24.3% and 33.3%, respectively). There were four toxicity-related deaths, three in group B. Patients with no prior external pelvic irradiation experienced fewer grade 3 and 4 adverse events.

CONCLUSION: Irinotecan is effective in treating cervical squamous cell carcinoma if disease is located in an unirradiated area. Because of toxicity, a reduced dose is advised for patients previously treated with external pelvic irradiation.

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				H. J. Long III Management of Metastatic Cervical Cancer: Review of the Literature J. Clin. Oncol., July 10, 2007; 25(20): 2966 - 2974. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. Rothenberg Irinotecan (CPT-11): Recent Developments and Future Directions-Colorectal Cancer and Beyond Oncologist, February 1, 2001; 6(1): 66 - 80. [Abstract] [Full Text]