Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in the management of ovarian cancer

ylated liposomal doxorubicin in the management of ovarian cancer Review (5006) Total Article Views Authors: Gabriella Ferrandina, Giacomo Corrado, Angelo Licameli, et al Published Date September 2010 Volume 2010:6 Pages 463 - 483 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S3348 Gabriella Ferrandina1,2, Giacomo Corrado1, Angelo Licameli1, Domenica Lorusso2, Gilda Fuoco1, Salvatore Pisconti3, Giovanni Scambia2 1Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, Catholic University of Campobasso, Campobasso, Italy; 2Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy; 3Salvatore Pisconti, Oncology Unit, Taranto Hospital, Taranto, Italy Abstract: Among the pharmaceutical options available for treatment of ovarian cancer, much attention has been progressively focused on pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), whose unique formulation, which entraps conventional doxorubicin in a bilayer lipidic sphere -surrounded by a polyethylene glycol layer, prolongs the persistence of the drug in the -circulation and potentiates intratumor drug accumulation. These properties enable this drug to sustain its very favorable toxicity profile and to be used safely in combination with other drugs. PLD has been already approved for treatment of advanced ovarian cancer patients failing first-line platinum-based treatment. Moreover, phase III trials have been already completed, and results are eagerly awaited, which hopefully will expand the range of PLD clinical application in this neoplasia both in front-line treatment, and in the salvage setting in combination with other drugs. Moreover, attempts are continuing to enable this drug to be combined with novel cytotoxic drugs and target-based agents. This review aims at summarizing the available evidence and the new perspectives for the clinical role of PLD in the management of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.