Ixempra for ovarian cancer – pro
Ixempra is specifically indicated in combination with capecitabine for the treatment of patients with metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer resistant to treatment with an anthracycline and a taxane, or whose cancer is taxane resistant and for whom further anthracycline therapy is contraindicated. Ixempra monotherapy is specifically indicated for the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer in patients whose tumors are resistant or refractory to anthracyclines, taxanes, and capecitabine. Ixempra is not well studied for ovarian cancer.
ixabelipone is not NCCN recommended and there is much less supporting literature. Most studies have been phase I, including one with Doxil. A 2010 phase II study concluded that Ixabepilone 20 mg/m2 over 1 hour on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle demonstrates antitumor activity and acceptable safety in patients with platinum- and taxane-resistant recurrent or persistent ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma. I have not been able to find any data on the combiantion of Ixempra and Avastin.
Koen De Geest, John A. Blessing, Robert T. Morris, S. Diane Yamada, Bradley J. Monk, Susan L. Zweizig, Daniela Matei, Carolyn Y. Muller, and William E. Richards
Phase II Clinical Trial of Ixabepilone in Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Platinum- and Taxane-Resistant Ovarian or Primary Peritoneal Cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study JCO Jan 1, 2010:149-153; published online on November 16, 2009; DOI:10.1200/JCO.2009.24.1455.
Revised 12/29/2011