Heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patients treated by single-agent gemcitabine. A retrospective outcome comparison between platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant patients

Figures & data

Table I.  Selected patient characteristics (n = 43).

Characteristics	n	%
FIGO stage
Ic	1	2.3
II	2	4.7
IIIa	1	2.3
IIIb	1	2.3
IIIc	34	79.1
IV	4	9.3
Histology
Serous	34	79.1
Undifferentiated	5	11.6
Endometrioid	2	4.7
Clear cell	1	2.3
Mucinous	1	2.3
CA-125 level
≥ 100 µ/ml	29	67.4
< 100 µ/ml	14	32.6
Prior number of regimens
Median (range)	3 (2–8)
Platinum sensitive	22	51.2
Platinum resistant	21	48.8

Table II.  Toxicity (n = 43 patients).

	Grade II		Grade III		Grade IV
Toxicity	n	%	n	%	n	%
Leucopenia	7	16.3	1	2.3	1	2.3
Anemia	13	30.2	4	11.8	–
Thrombocytopenia	5	11.6	1	2.3	3	8.8
Nausea/vomiting	4	9.3	2	4.7	–
Fatigue	8	18.6	2	4.7	–
Edema	2	4.7	2	4.7	–
Shortness of breath	–		1	2.3	–
Stomatitis	–		1	2.3	–

Figure 1.  Probability of time to progression stratified by platinum sensitivity (p = 0.0006).

Figure 2.  Overall survival stratified by platinum sensitivity (p = 0.0001).

Table III.  Response rate, median TTP and median survival of all patients and according to platinum sensitivity (n = 43).

	Total		Platinum-sensitive		Platinum-resistant
	n	%	n	%	n	%	P value
Total study group	43	100	22	100	21	100
PR	11	25.6	10	45.5	1	4.8	0.001
SD	19	44.2	10	45.5	9	42.8	NS
PD	13	30.2	2	9.0	11	52.4	0.001
Median TTP (months)	3.73		5.0		2.8		0.0006
Median survival (months)	10.0		16.5		6.3		0.0001

PR = partial response; SD = stable disease; PD = progressive disease; TTP = time-to-progression; NS = non significant.