Randomized phase II study comparing docetaxel plus cisplatin, docetaxel plus carboplatin, and paclitaxel plus carboplatin in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma: a Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group study (JGOG2041)

Background: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of treatment with taxane plus platinum in combination therapies for advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma. Patients and methods: Patients with measurable disease derived from histologically confirmed stage III/IV or recurrent endometrial carcinoma were randomly assigned to receive docetaxel plus cisplatin (DP), docetaxel plus carboplatin (DC), or paclitaxel plus carboplatin (TC) every 3 weeks until disease progression or adverse events prohibited further therapy. Among these regimens, the study evaluated the tumor response rate as the primary end point as well as toxicity. Results: Ninety patients were enrolled. Of them, 88 were eligible and consequently 29, 29, and 30 patients were randomly assigned to DP, DC, and TC, respectively. Tumor response rates were 51.7%, 48.3%, and 60.0% in DP, DC, and TC, respectively (P = 0.65). The following toxic effects were observed: grade 3/4 neutropenia in 83.3%, 90.0%, and 76.6%; febrile neutropenia in 10.0%, 6.7%, and 3.3%; grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia in 6.7%, 10.0%, and 10.0%; grade 3/4 diarrhea in 13.3%, 3.3%, and 0%, respectively; and grade 3 neurotoxicity in 10.0% of TC. These toxicity profiles were not significantly different. Conclusion: The taxane plus platinum combination therapies could be candidates in further phase III trials for endometrial carcinoma.