%0 Journal Article %A M. Takano %A T. Sugiyama %A N. Yaegashi %A M. Sakuma %A M. Suzuki %A Y. Saga %A K. Kuzuya %A J. Kigawa %A M. Shimada %A H. Tsuda %A T. Moriya %A A. Yoshizaki %A T. Kita %A Y. Kikuchi %T Low response rate of second-line chemotherapy for recurrent or refractory clear cell carcinoma of the ovary: a retrospective Japan Clear Cell Carcinoma Study %D 2008 %R 10.1111/j.1525-1438.2007.01158.x %J International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer %P 937-942 %V 18 %N 5 %X Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) of the ovary has been recognized to show resistance to anticancer agents in the first-line chemotherapy. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of second-line chemotherapy in a retrospective study. A total of 75 patients diagnosed with CCC and treated between 1992 and 2002 in collaborating hospitals were reviewed. Criteria for the patients' enrollment were 1) diagnosis of pure-type CCC at the initial operation, 2) treatment after one systemic postoperative chemotherapy, 3) measurable recurrent or refractory tumor, 4) at least two cycles of second-line chemotherapy and assessable for the response, and 5) adequate clinical information. Regimens of first-line chemotherapy were conventional platinum-based therapy in 33 cases, paclitaxel plus platinum in 24 cases, irinotecan plus platinum in 9 cases, and irinotecan plus mitomycin C in 7 cases. Treatment-free periods were more than 6 months in 24 cases (group A) and less than 6 months in 51 cases (group B). In group A, response was observed in two cases (8%): one with conventional platinum therapy and another with irinotecan plus platinum. In group B, three cases (6%) responded: two with platinum plus etoposide and one case with irinotecan plus platinum. Median overall survival was 16 months in group A and 7 months in group B (P= 0.04). These findings suggest recurrent or resistant CCC is extremely chemoresistant, and there is only small benefit of long treatment-free period in CCC patients. Another strategy including molecular-targeting therapy is warranted for the treatment of recurrent or refractory CCC. %U https://ijgc.bmj.com/content/ijgc/18/5/937.full.pdf