Relationship Between Hematological Toxicities During Maintenance Treatment and During Chemotherapy Before Maintenance Treatment in Patients With Platinum-sensitive Relapsed Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Background/aim: To determine if maintenance treatment can be performed effectively and safely in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer.

Patients and methods: We carried out a multi-center study to investigate progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse events (AEs) in 229 patients receiving maintenance treatment for platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer.

Results: The median PFS in the 229 patients with maintenance treatment was 14.0 months (95% confidence interval=10.3-17.6 months). The hematological toxicities included ≥grade 3 anemia in 33.2% of cases. Anemia during maintenance treatment was significantly more common than anemia during chemotherapy given before maintenance treatment (p<0.001). Anemia during chemotherapy prior to maintenance treatment significantly increased the risk of anemia during maintenance treatment, compared with other clinical features (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Maintenance treatment can be performed safely and effectively in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer. Anemia during chemotherapy given before maintenance treatment significantly increased the risk of developing anemia during maintenance treatment in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer.

Keywords: Maintenance treatment; anemia; chemotherapy before maintenance treatment; platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer.