Does the choice of platinum doublet matter? A study to evaluate the impact of platinum doublet choice for treatment of platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer recurrence on the development of future PARP inhibitor and platinum resistance

Objectives: The use of a platinum doublet for the treatment of platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) recurrence is well established. The impact of the non‑platinum chemotherapy used as part of a platinum doublet on PARP inhibitor (PARPi) and platinum sensitivity it not known. We aimed to describe oncologic outcomes in cases of recurrent EOC receiving PARPi as maintenance therapy based on preceding platinum doublet.

Methods: Retrospective study of patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer treated with platinum doublet followed by maintenance PARPi from 1/1/2015 and 1/1/2022. Comparisons were made between patients receiving carboplatin + pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (CD) versus other platinum doublets (OPDs). Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier and univariate survival analyses were performed.

Results: 100 patients received PARPi maintenance following a platinum doublet chemotherapy regimen for platinum-sensitive recurrence. 25/100 (25%) received CD and 75/100 (75%) received OPDs. Comparing CD and OPDs, median progression-free survival was 8 versus 7 months (p = 0.26), median time to platinum resistance was 15 versus 13 months (p = 0.54), median OS was 64 versus 90 months (p = 0.28), and median OS from starting PARPi was 25 versus 26 months (p = 0.90), respectively.

Conclusions: Using pegylated liposomal doxorubicin as part of a platinum doublet preceding maintenance PARPi for platinum-sensitive recurrence does not seem to hasten PARPi resistance or platinum resistance compared to OPDs. Although there was a non-significant trend towards increased OS among patients who received a platinum doublet other than CD prior to PARPi, the OS from PARPi start was similar between groups. Given the retrospective nature of this study and small study population, further research is needed to evaluate if the choice of platinum doublet preceding PARPi maintenance impacts PARPi resistance, platinum resistance and survival.