Survival and clinical outcomes of patients with ovarian cancer who were treated on phase 1 clinical trials
Background
Patients with ovarian cancer who are enrolled on phase 1 trials typically have platinum‐resistant and heavily pretreated disease, with a poor prognosis. In the current study, the authors assessed prognostic factors and survival in women with recurrent ovarian cancer who were treated on phase 1 clinical trials.
Methods
The authors performed a retrospective analysis of patients treated from 2008 through 2018 at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Patient characteristics and treatment and toxicity‐related survival data were assessed. Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify risk factors associated with survival time.
Results
A total of 132 patients were treated on phase 1 clinical trials. Patients had a median age of 59 years (range, 33‐88 years) with a median of 5.5 previous chemotherapy lines (range, 1‐13 lines). Of the 132 patients, 53 (40%) were treated on multiple phase 1 trials with a median of 1 (range, 0‐5) prior phase 1 trial. The overall response rate was 14.7%. The median overall survival was 11.3 months (95% CI, 9.1‐13.4 months). Two patients died on trial due to progression of disease whereas no patients died of treatment‐related toxicity. Independent risk factors found to be predictive of shorter survival were an elevated cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) level (hazard ratio [HR], 2.8; 95% CI, 1.6‐5.2) and albumin <3.5 g/dL (HR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.65‐3.79). A body mass index >25 kg/m2 was predictive of longer survival (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.44‐0.96).
Conclusions
In the current single‐institution series, patients with heavily pretreated ovarian cancer who were treated on phase 1 clinical trials experienced a median overall survival of 11.3 months. When available, phase 1 clinical trials represent a reasonable treatment option for patients with heavily pretreated ovarian cancer with a preserved performance status.