Recent studies that influence the chemotherapeutic paradigm in the management of advanced ovarian cancer

Several recently reported evidence-based phase 3 trials that focus on the role of cytotoxic chemotherapy have the potential to strongly influence the care of women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Particular areas of interest include: (a) neoadjuvant chemotherapy; (b) chemotherapy of recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer; and (c) the relevance of paclitaxel scheduling in the primary chemotherapeutic management of the malignancy. This report will briefly discuss the results of these studies and the potential implications of the findings for routine care of patients in these clinical settings.