Randomized multicenter phase II trial of cisplatin and ifosfamide with or without paclitaxel in recurrent or metastatic carcinoma of the uterine cervix: a Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG) study. Phase III trial of ifosfamide with or without paclitaxel in advanced uterine carcinosarcoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group Study. A gynecologic oncology group randomized phase III trial of whole abdominal irradiation (WAI) vs. cisplatin-ifosfamide and mesna (CIM) as post-surgical therapy in stage I-IV carcinosarcoma (CS) of the uterus.
We undertook a randomized phase II trial to test whether the addition of paclitaxel (Taxol) to the cisplatin and ifosfamide (IP) combination could improve objective response (OR) rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with recurrent or metastatic cancer of the uterine cervix.
                One hundred and fifty-three patients were randomly allocated to receive either the IP regimen (ifosfamide 1.5 g/m(2), daily, on days 1-3 and cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) on day 2) or the same combination with the addition of paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) on day 1 [ifosfamide, paclitaxel and cisplatinum (ITP) regimen]. Cycles were administered every 4 weeks on an outpatient basis.
                A modest increase in neurotoxicity was observed with the triplet combination. OR rate was significantly higher in the ITP group (59% versus 33%, P = 0.002). Median PFS was 7.9 and 6.3 months for patients in the ITP and IP arms, respectively (P = 0.023). Median OS was 15.4 months and 13.2 months in the ITP and IP arms, respectively (P = 0.048). In multivariate analysis, the triplet yielded a hazard ratio of 0.70 for relapse or progression (P = 0.046) and 0.75 for death (P = 0.124) compared with the doublet.
                The ITP combination merits further investigation in randomized phase III studies. To determine if paclitaxel added to ifosfamide as first-line treatment for advanced uterine carcinosarcoma (CS) improves overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), response, and toxicity.
                Eligible patients had measurable stage III or IV, persistent, or recurrent uterine CS. Random assignment to treatment was between ifosfamide 2.0 g/m2 intravenously (IV) daily for 3 days (arm 1) or ifosfamide 1.6 g/m2 IV daily for 3 days plus paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 by 3-hour infusion day 1 (arm 2). Mesna was administered similarly (both arms); filgrastim began on day 4 (arm 2). Cycles were repeated every 21 days up to eight cycles.
                Of 214 patients enrolled, 179 were eligible (arm 1, 91 patients; arm 2, 88 patients). Arm 2 patients experienced more frequent and severe sensory neuropathy (grade 1 to 4; 8% v 30%). The crude response rate was 29% (arm 1) and 45% (arm 2). The odds of response stratified by performance status were 2.21 greater in arm 2 (P = .017). Median PFS and OS, respectively, for arm 1 compared with arm 2 were 3.6 v 5.8 months and 8.4 v 13.5 months, respectively. There was a 31% decrease in the hazard of death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.69; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.97; P = .03) and a 29% decrease in the hazard of progression (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.97; P = .03) relative to arm 1 when stratifying by performance status.
                OS was significantly improved in arm 2, and toxicities were as expected and manageable. However, the need for active new agents persists, given that OS remains relatively poor in this disease. After initial surgery, there has been no established consensus regarding adjunctive therapy for patients with uterine carcinosarcoma (CS). This study was designed to compare patient outcome following treatment with adjuvant whole abdominal irradiation (WAI) versus (vs.) chemotherapy for patients with this rare group of female pelvic malignancies.
                Eligible, consenting women with stage I-IV uterine CS, no more than 1 cm postsurgical residuum and/or no extra-abdominal spread had their treatments randomly assigned as either WAI or three cycles of cisplatin (C), ifosfamide (I), and mesna (M).
                232 patients were enrolled, of whom 206 (WAI=105; CIM=101) were deemed eligible. Patient demographics and characteristics were similar between arms. FIGO stage (both arms) was: I=64 (31%); II=26 (13%); III=92 (45%); IV=24 (12%). The estimated crude probability of recurring within 5 years was 58% (WAI) and 52% (CIM). Adjusting for stage and age, the recurrence rate was 21% lower for CIM patients than for WAI patients (relative hazard [RH]=0.789, 95% confidence interval [CI]: (0.530-1.176), p=0.245, 2-tail test). The estimated death rate was 29% lower among the CIM group (RH=0.712, 95% CI: 0.484-1.048, p=0.085, two-tail test).
                We did not find a statistically significant advantage in recurrence rate or survival for adjuvant CIM over WAI in patients with uterine CS. However, the observed differences favor the use of combination chemotherapy in future trials.
In advanced stage metastatic uterine carcinosarcoma as well as recurrent disease adjuvant combination, chemotherapy with ifosfamide should be considered. Combination chemotherapy with ifosfamide and paclitaxel is associated with lower risk of death compared with ifosfamide alone. In addition, radiotherapy to the abdomen is not associated with improved survival.