Ten studies (n=608 patients) were included in the review: five studies of PLD-Carboplatin (n=278) and five studies of Gem-Carboplatin (n=330). Sample size ranged from 26 to 178. Only two studies were randomised. The other trials were open-label or non-randomised.
The proportion of patients who received PLD-Carboplatin and achieved a response was 60.2% (27.0% achieved complete response and 33.2% achieved partial response) and the proportion of patients who received Gem-Carboplatin and achieved a response was 51.4% (19.2% achieved complete response and 32.2% achieved partial response).
Median progression-free survival time was 10.6 months for the PLD-Carboplatin group and 8.9 months for the Gem-Carboplatin group. Median overall survival was longer for the PLD-Carboplatin group than the Gem-Carboplatin group (27.1 months versus 19.7 months).
The dose intensity reported in Gem-Carboplatin trials was lower than that in PLD-Carboplatin trials (75% of the planned dose versus 93.7% of the planned dose), which indicated better tolerability for the PLD-Carboplatin regimen.
Grade III or IV anaemia (PLD-Carboplatin 13.6% versus Gem-Carboplatin 24.5%) and neutropenia (PLD-Carboplatin 45.5% versus Gem-Carboplatin 62.9%) were more common in patients who received Gem-Carboplatin. Haematological safety profiles were comparable between the two groups.