Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of ifosfamide and cisplatin administered concomitantly with low-dose rate brachyradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (LASCC) or adeno/adenosquamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix.
Methods: Sixty-two patients with primary uterine cervical cancer were enrolled between August 1999 and November 2004. The patients had to have FIGO-stage IB2 bulky to IVA disease, biopsy-proven squamous cell or adeno/adenosquamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The patients were to receive external radiotherapy (50 Gy in 25 fractions); ifosfamide 2 g/m2 plus cisplatin 75 mg/m2 was applied concomitantly during two low-dose rate brachyradiotherapy applications; the planned dose to point A was 85 Gy in total. After the completion of radiotherapy, i.e. external and concomitant chemobrachyradiotherapy, four cycles of consolidation chemotherapy with the same drug combination were to be administered.
Results: The clinical complete response rate according to WHO-classification (assessed after the completion of the whole treatment procedures by gynecologic and radiologic evaluation and cervical biopsy) was 100%. After a median follow-up of 49 months (range 11-74 months), the recurrence-free and overall survival rates were 88.7%, respectively. The most frequent early toxicities were grade 3 and 4 leukopenias occurring in 25% and 11% of the cycles, respectively. Major delayed local complications occurred in 10 patients (16.1%).
Conclusion: These results indicate that concomitant chemobrachyradiotherapy with ifosfamide and cisplatin followed by consolidation chemotherapy with the same drug combination is a highly efficacious and very promising treatment protocol for patients with locally advanced LASCC or adeno/adenosquamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix.