Triple treatment for cervical Ca shows great promise

Adding hyperthermia to standard chemoradiotherapy for advanced cervical carcinoma seems to boost the positive effects of treatment without adding any negative effects, according to analysis of three phase 2 studies.

Most of 68 women with a median age of 45 years and stage IIB, III, or IVA disease received a biologically effective radiotherapy and brachytherapy dose of 86.7 gray or higher, at least four courses of 40 mg/m2 weekly cisplatin, and four weekly sessions of locoregional hyperthermia.

Ninety percent of the women achieved complete remission. After a median of 18 months, 84% of the women remained alive, 74% of whom were without recurrence. Toxicity was comparable to that with chemoradiotherapy alone. A phase 3 study of the triple treatment is underway.