Recent Studies
Did you hear this?
On 7th January the BBC carried a news bulletin concerning ovarian cancer, which covered a report in the British Journal of Cancer of a study carried out by the Department of Medical Oncology, Department of Gynaecology, and the Cancer Institute in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. It reported as follows:
The study investigated the potential of weekly cisplatin and daily oral etoposide followed by oral etoposide maintenance therapy in patients with platinum-refractory ovarian cancer. One hundred and seven patients were entered into the study, 98 patients completed the induction therapy consisting of cisplatin weekly for six administrations plus oral etoposide. Of these 98 patients, 38 had a platinum treatment-free interval of more than 12 months, 32 had an interval between 4 and 12 months, and 28 had progressed during or within 4 months after last platinum therapy. The study assessed response rates and time to progression, and also response duration and survival. Analyses were done on the 98 evaluable patients.
The study concluded that this intensive regimen of weekly cisplatin plus daily etoposide is highly effective and well tolerated in patients with ovarian cancer relapsing after conventional platinum-based combination chemotherapy, including patients who have progressed during or within 4 months after platinum treatment.
British Journal of Cancer (2002) 86, 19-25.
DOI:10.1038/sj/bjc/6600002
The CA 125 blood test
Cancer antigen 125 is a substance that is produced in the fallopian tubes and uterus. The CA l25 measures a sugar protein that may be released when cells are inflamed or damaged. CA l25 levels are usually measured by a blood test. Levels under 35 kU/ml are considered normal.
Ovarian cancer cells produce an excess of these protein molecules, as may some other cancers, including cancer of the fallopian tube or endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus).
Occasionally an elevated CA l25 test indicates other benign activity not associated with cancer, such as menstruation, pregnancy or endometriosis.
However, in early stage ovarian cancer this molecule may not necessarily be released. Thus, the test is not an effective screening test. The CA l25 test may be used diagnostically in combination with other tests such as vaginal ultrasound, and can also be used to monitor the progress of patients with cancer. increasing levels may indicate a recurrence, while decreasing levels may indicate a response to treatment.
