Randomized phase III trial of pelvic radiotherapy versus cisplatin-based combined chemotherapy in patients with intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer: a Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group study

Gynecol Oncol. 2008 Jan;108(1):226-33. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2007.09.029. Epub 2007 Nov 9.

Abstract

Objective: To establish an optimal adjuvant therapy for intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer patients, we conducted a multi-center randomized phase III trial of adjuvant pelvic radiation therapy (PRT) versus cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-cisplatin (CAP) chemotherapy in women with endometrioid adenocarcinoma with deeper than 50% myometrial invasion.

Methods: Among 385 evaluated patients, 193 patients received PRT and 192 received CAP. The PRT group received at least 40 Gy. The CAP group received cyclophosphamide (333 mg/m2), doxorubicin (40 mg/m2) and cisplatin (50 mg/m2) every 4 weeks for 3 or more courses.

Results: No statistically significant differences in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were observed. The 5-year PFS rates in the PRT and CAP groups were 83.5% and 81.8% respectively, while the 5-year OS rates were 85.3% and 86.7% respectively. These rates were also not significantly different in a low- to intermediate-risk group defined as stage IC patients under 70 years old with G1/2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma. However, among 120 patients in a high- to intermediate-risk group defined as (1) stage IC in patients over 70 years old or with G3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma or (2) stage II or IIIA (positive cytology), the CAP group had a significantly higher PFS rate (83.8% vs. 66.2%, log-rank test P=0.024, hazard ratio 0.44) and higher OS rate (89.7% vs. 73.6%, log-rank test P=0.006, hazard ratio 0.24). Adverse effects were not significantly increased in the CAP group versus the PRT group.

Conclusion: Adjuvant chemotherapy may be a useful alternative to radiotherapy for intermediate-risk endometrial cancer.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / radiotherapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Patient Compliance
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Cisplatin