Comparison of Three Chemotherapy Regimens in Treating Patients With Stage IVB, Recurrent, or Persistent Cervical Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

• Compare the response rate and survival of patients with stage IVB, recurrent, or persistent carcinoma of the cervix treated with cisplatin only vs cisplatin plus topotecan vs methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC). (Arm III (MVAC) closed to accrual effective 07/23/2001.)
• Compare the toxic effects of these regimens in this patient population.
• Compare health-related quality of life of patients treated with these regimens.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to GOG performance status. Patients are randomized to one of three treatment arms. (Arm III closed to accrual effective 07/23/2001.)

• Arm I: Patients receive cisplatin IV once every 21 days.
• Arm II:Patients receive topotecan IV over 30 minutes on days 1-3 and cisplatin IV (beginning after topotecan infusion) on day 1. Courses repeat every 21 days.
• Arm III:Patients receive methotrexate IV on days 1, 15, and 22, vinblastine IV on days 2, 15, and 22, and doxorubicin IV and cisplatin IV on day 2. Courses repeat every 28 days. (Arm III closed to accrual effective 07/23/2001.) Treatment in all arms continues for a maximum of 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. (Arm III closed to accrual effective 07/23/2001.)

Quality of life is assessed before randomization, before course 2, before course 5 (arms I and II), before course 4 (arm III), and at 9 months. (Arm III closed to accrual effective 07/23/2001.)

Patients are followed every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 3 years, and then annually thereafter.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 400 patients (133 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study within 2 years. (Arm III closed to accrual effective 07/23/2001.)