Bogani G, et al. - Researchers sought to evaluate how number of cycles of Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) influenced survival of patients undergoing interval debulking surgery for stage IIIC–IV unresectable ovarian cancer. Findings highlighted the potential implication of number of cycles of NACT before interval debulking surgery (IDS). They recommended further prospective studies assessing this correlation.

Methods

• Researchers retrospectively reviewed data of consecutive patients undergoing NACT and IDS in 4 Italian centers, and evaluated survival outcomes.

Results

• This study included, in total, 193 patients.
• In this study, cycles of NACT were 3, 4, and at least 5 in 77 (40%), 74 (38%), and 43 (22%) patients, respectively.
• Compared to patients receiving at least 4 cycles, patients undergoing 3 cycles experienced a similar disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89–1.65; P=0.20) but an improved overall survival (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.05–2.4; P=0.02).
• For patients having 3 and at least 4 cycles, 5-year overall survival was 46% and 31% and 10-year overall survival was 26% and 18% (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.13–2.55; P=0.009).
• The researchers in multivariate analysis found that only Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status correlated with overall survival (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.2–2.49; P=0.001).
• For patients with residual disease at IDS and patients receiving at least 4 cycles (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 0.95–3.22; P=0.06), a trend toward worse overall survival was observed, in addition (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.98–1.70; P=0.06).