First-line chemotherapy in low-grade serous ovarian cancer: a single center retrospective cohort

Abstract

Background Low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC) is a rare histotype of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) that is associated with a high rate of KRAS and BRAF mutations, young age at diagnosis, indolent behavior, and resistance to standard platinum-based chemotherapy. Here we report details of advanced LGSOC cases treated with primary chemotherapy at our institution from 2009 to 2014. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 17 patients with histologyconfirmed LGSOC, 6 of whom had measurable disease on computed tomographic scan when receiving first-line chemotherapy and were therefore evaluable for response. Response to platinum-based chemotherapy was documented using RECIST criteria and CA125 levels. Results One patient had a complete response, 2 had a partial response, 1 had stable disease and 2 patients progressed, resulting in an overall response rate of 50%. Of note was that 3 patients who partially responded to chemotherapy were started on tamoxifen maintenance and achieved good progression-free survival (up to 5 years). Conclusions Despite literature suggesting that LGSOC is much less sensitive to platinum agents than highgrade serous ovarian carcinoma, our case series suggests that the response rate may be higher than previously reported and that tamoxifen may have a role as maintenance treatment.