Results of a Phase II Study of Weekly Paclitaxel Plus Carboplatin in Advanced Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Origin: A Reasonable Regimen for the Community-Based Clinic?

Abstract

Optimal treatment for cancer of unknown primary (CUP) can challenge clinicians. This study sought to determine the efficacy and toxicity of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin in CUP. Forty-two subjects enrolled. Treatment was intravenous paclitaxel (80 mg/m²) plus carboplatin (AUC = 2) on Days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days. Seven (18 percent) responded (complete = 2, partial = 5); median survival was 8.5 months; estimated survival (12 and 24-month) was 33 and 17 percent, respectively. Median time to progression was 3.7 months, and estimated progression-free survival (12 and 24 months) was 14 and 7 percent, respectively. Median duration of response was 17.3 months. This combination produced modest antitumor activity in advanced CUP.

Keywords:

• Advanced
• Carboplatin
• Carcinoma
• Paclitaxel
• Unknown primary