Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 51Cr-EDTA clearance to tailor the carboplatin dose in two different therapeutic regimens of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.
Materials and methods: 14 patients entered the study, eight treated by carboplatin (C) alone and six by C and paclitaxel (P). The dose of C was calculated from the Calvert formula [DOSE(mg) = desired AUC x (GFR + 25)] based on the Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) figure; in our protocol desired Area under the curve (AUC) figure was 5 mg/ml x min. The method used to calculate the GFR requires only 4 blood samples taken in the late part of the disappearance plasmatic curve and conjugates accuracy to an acceptable clinical compliance.
Results: In only 5 courses a significant hematological toxicity (HT) was present (4 courses grade 2, 1 course grade 3); it was necessary to delay only 2 courses; no treatment was discontinued because of HT.
Conclusion: We concluded that there is no summation toxicity of C and P if administered simultaneously and that the assessment of GFR by 51Cr-EDTA clearance is an optimal tool to predict an acceptable toxicity.