Carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin versus carboplatin and paclitaxel in partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer patients: results from a subset analysis of the CALYPSO phase III trial

Background: To perform a subset analysis of patients with partially platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) who received either CD [carboplatin–pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD)] or CP (carboplatin–paclitaxel) in the CALYPSO trial. Patients and methods: CALYPSO, an international phase III, non-inferiority trial, enrolled women with ROC that relapsed >6 months following first- or second-line therapy. Patients were randomized to CD or CP. Patients with a treatment-free interval of >6 and £12 months were evaluated for progression-free survival (PFS), the primary end point of CALYPSO trial, and safety. Results: A total of 344 partially platinum-sensitive patients were included (N = 161, CD and N = 183, CP). The hazard ratio for PFS was 0.73 (95% confidence interval: 0.58–0.90; P = 0.004 for superiority) in favor of CD. Median PFS times were 9.4 months (CD) and 8.8 months (CP). Toxicities more common with CP versus CD included grade 3/4 neutropenia (50% versus 39%; P = 0.015), grade 2 alopecia (86% versus 9%; P < 0.001), neuropathy and hypersensitivity reactions. Hand-foot syndrome was more common with CD; however, grade 3/4 reactions were low (one patient in each arm). Conclusion: Carboplatin–PLD has a more favorable risk-benefit profile than CP in patients with partially platinumsensitive ROC and should be considered an effective treatment option for these patients.