Chemotherapy of advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma with melphalan and levamisole: a pilot study of the Gynecologic Oncology Group

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981 Sep 1;141(1):65-70. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(81)90676-1.

Abstract

Twenty-three patients with Stage III, Stage IV, or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer were treated with a combination of melphalan and levamisole to determine a tolerable dosage schedule, possible adverse effects, and a general estimate of response rate and duration. In seven patients with measurable disease there were four complete responses (57%) with a median duration of 75 weeks. Two of the complete responders have had negative second-look laparotomies while the other two patients have had subsequent progression. Of 16 patients with nonmeasurable disease two have had negative second-look laparotomies and two remain progression free. Thus 8 of 23 patients (35%) had complete responses or remain progression free whereas 4 of 23 patients (17%) have had negative second-look laparotomies. No serious toxicity was encountered. Immunologic monitoring did not indicate significant immunologic reconstitution in these immunosuppressed patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levamisole / administration & dosage*
  • Levamisole / adverse effects
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Melphalan / administration & dosage*
  • Melphalan / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / immunology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy
  • Phytohemagglutinins / pharmacology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pokeweed Mitogens / pharmacology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects

Substances

  • Phytohemagglutinins
  • Pokeweed Mitogens
  • Levamisole
  • Melphalan