Abstract

The toxicity profile of trabectedin in the OVA-301 trial, that combined trabectedin with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer, has shown to be predictable and manageable. No unexpected toxicities were found, with neutropenia and transient increase in transaminases as the most common adverse events reported. The elevation in transaminases appeared early and generally decreased in incidence and intensity over subsequent cycles, with no major clinical consequences. A similar safety profile was seen in the analysis of the older patients in the trial. There were no detrimental effects in quality of life with the combination. Moreover, the Global Health Status score was better for the combination arm in those patients with a PFI of 6 to 12 months that were in response after 5 cycles. Trabectedin with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is not associated with cumulative end-organ toxicities (renal, cardiac, or neurological toxicities). The toxicity profile is different from other second-line strategies without the presence of inconvenient side effects, such as alopecia, hypersensitivity reactions, hand-foot syndrome, or mucositis.