Objective. We compared the efficacy and side effects of taxanes, with or without platinum, to bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) in treating sex cord- stromal ovarian tumors. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with sex cord- stromal ovarian tumors seen at our institution from 1985 to 2002. Eligible patients were those who underwent pathologic confirmation, clinical evaluation, and treatment with a taxane or BEP for initial or recurrent disease. Results. Of 222 patients identified, 21 received BEP for new (n=11) or recurrent disease (n=10); 44 received a taxane during 48 treatment episodes (four patients on two occasions each) for new (n = 11) or recurrent disease (n = 37). Newly diagnosed patients treated with BEP vs. taxanes had no significant difference in response rate (Fisher’s exact test, P =1), progression- free survival (PFS) (log- rank test, P=0.213), or overall survival (log- rank test, P=0.994). Among patients treated for recurrent measurable disease, the response rate was higher for BEP- treated (71% ) than for taxanetreated patients (37% ), but this was not statistically significant. In all patients treated for recurrent disease, there was no significant difference in failure to progress at chemotherapy completion between BEP- (70% ) and taxane- treated patients (62% ) or in median PFS (11.2 vs. 7.2 months). The presence of platinum in taxanecontain- ing regimens correlated with response. Taxane related side effects included neutropenia (n = 6), anemia (n = 1), thrombocytopenia (n = 1), myelodysplasia (n = 1), and hypersensitivity (n = 1). BEP- related side effects included pulmonary fibrosis (n = 3) and neutropenia (n = 2). Conclusions. Taxanes demonstrated activity against sex cord- stromal tumors of the ovary and may be less toxic than BEP. Taxane and platinum combination chemotherapy warrants further investigation in this disease.
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