Oral altretamine used as salvage therapy in recurrent ovarian cancer

Gynecol Oncol. 2004 Jan;92(1):368-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2003.09.017.

Abstract

Background: Altretamine has reported efficacy in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer following platinum-based therapy. This report presents the cases of two long-term survivors with recurrent ovarian cancer given oral altretamine.

Cases: Two patients diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer underwent optimal cytoreductive surgery. Both women were subsequently treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. One had persistent cancer documented 2 months post therapy, while the other was disease-free for 22 months before recurring. Both received altretamine in a salvage setting. Each of these women achieved a prolonged response to third-line altretamine therapy, and one of whom was disease-free for 4 years and the other remains disease-free over 7 years following initiation of salvage therapy.

Conclusion: Outpatient-administered oral altretamine can provide a prolonged disease-free interval with minimal toxicity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Altretamine / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Salvage Therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Altretamine