A phase II study of irinotecan combined with S-1 in patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer previously treated with platinum based chemotherapy

Objectives We conducted a phase II study to investigate the efficacy and toxicities of irinotecan plus oral S-1 in patients with advanced or recurrent uterine cervical cancer. Methods Patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer previously treated with platinum based chemotherapy were enrolled. Irinotecan (150 mg/m 2 ) was administered intravenously over the course of 90 min on day 1, and S-1 (80 mg/m 2 ) was given orally in two divided doses from days 1 to 14 of a 21 day cycle. The primary endpoint of this phase II study was response rate. Secondary endpoints included safety, progression free survival, and overall survival. Results A total of 19 patients were enrolled and treated. The response rate was 29.4%. Grade 3–4 hematologic toxicities were observed in three patients (15.7%). The only grade 3–4 non-hematologic toxicity observed was grade 3 diarrhea. The median progression free survival and overall survival were 3 months and 9 months, respectively. Conclusion S-1 plus irinotecan in a 3 weekly setting is safe and active in women with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer previously treated with platinum based chemotherapy. Future corroborative clinical studies are warranted.