
Around 1 in 5 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK take part in a clinical trial.
This trial looked at a new chemotherapy drug called nitrocamptothecin (RFS 2000) in women with ovarian cancer that had spread (advanced ovarian cancer).
Doctors often treat advanced ovarian cancer with chemotherapy. But in time, the cancer will start to grow again. Doctors are looking for new treatments to help stop or slow down the growth of ovarian cancer.
Doctors hoped that nitrocamptothecin would help these women. The aims of the trial were to see if nitrocamptothecin
The research team found that nitrocamptothecin might help some women with advanced ovarian cancer.
The research team recruited 51 women with advanced ovarian cancer that had come back after chemotherapy. All women had treatment with nitrocamptothecin.
When the researchers were analysing the results, they split the women into two groups depending on how quickly their cancer had come back after chemotherapy.
In the sensitive group
In the refractory group
The most common side effect was diarrhoea. Other side effects included a drop in the number of blood cells, feeling or being sick, and tiredness (fatigue).
The research team suggested that nitrocamptothecin might be helpful in women who have advanced ovarian cancer that is sensitive to platinum chemotherapy.
We have based this summary on information from the team who ran the trial. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists () but may not have been published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Professor J Smyth
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)
Freephone 0808 800 4040
Around 1 in 5 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK take part in a clinical trial.