Triptorelin (D-Trp-6-LHRH) in combination with carboplatin-containing polychemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer: a pilot study.

Abstract

In experimental and clinical phase II trials GnRH agonists were shown to possess antitumor activity in ovarian cancer. The outcome of prostatic cancer was also improved experimentally by a combination of cytostatic chemotherapy and GnRH analogs. Encouraged by these results, we administered micro-encapsulated triptorelin (Decapeptyl CR), 3.75 mg on the first day of each chemotherapy course, to 15 patients with advanced ovarian cancer in addition to adjuvant, carboplatin-containing chemotherapy (Carboplatin, Epirubicin, Prednimustine and Carboplatin, Etoposide) after radical surgery. Patients received a total of 6 courses. After the completion of combined chemotherapy GnRH analogs were continued for another 6 months at 28-day intervals. Results were compared with those obtained in a group of 15 ovarian cancer patients receiving the same chemotherapy regimen without GnRH medication. At a median follow-up of 36 months no significant differences were seen in terms of response, survival and time to progression. However, patients undergoing chemotherapy+triptorelin tended to show a more positive outcome than those on chemotherapy alone. G1 and G2 tumors in particular were found to respond better to the combined treatment regimen.