Factors affecting remission to salvage chemotherapy with EtoposideCisplatin/Etoposide-MethotrexateActinomycin D (EP-EMA regimen) among chemoresistant high-risk Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia patients admitted in a tertiary institution: A 10-year retrospective descriptive study
- Author:
Noreen R. Pastoriza‑Alcaraz
1
;
Agnes L. Soriano‑Estrella
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Chemoresistance; EP‑EMA; Salvage chemotherapy; Toxicity
- MeSH: Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
- From: Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2021;45(4):135-144
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Approximately 20%–25% of high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) patients initially treated with first-line chemotherapy regimen develop resistance to the regimen. The EP-EMA (Etoposide-cisplatin and etoposide, methotrexate and actinomycin D) regimen is the most commonly utilized second-line agent.
Objective:This study aimed to identify factors leading to remission using etoposide and cisplatin-etoposide, methotrexate, and Actinomycin D (EP-EMA) as salvage chemotherapy among resistant high-risk GTN.
Methods:This is a retrospective descriptive study that reviewed the medical records of patients admitted in the section of trophoblastic diseases diagnosed with high-risk GTN from January 2006 to December 2015.
Results:The medical records of 20 patients were retrieved and reviewed. The complete remission rate with EP-EMA is 60% (12/20). The overall survival rate for 1 year is 70% (14/20). Only 20% of the patients went home against advice and did not complete treatment. This regimen reported toxicities ranging from Grade 2–4 myelosuppression and electrolyte imbalance. Forty-five percent had Grade 4 neutropenia and Grade 2 anemia and 20% had Grade 2 thrombocytopenia. Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia were noted in 8 patients (40%). Although not statistically significant, a trend showed that those in the remission group mostly had Stage III diseases with metastasis only in the lungs, prognostic score of between 7 and 12, and with beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels <10,000 mIu/ml at the start of EP-EMA treatment.
Conclusion:There is an improved response with EP-EMA chemotherapy across the years in our institution. Factors such as stage of disease, pulmonary metastasis, and low β-hCG at the start EP-EMA chemotherapy denote a possible good response and may contribute to patients' complete remission with EP-EMA chemotherapy. However, further studies with larger patient sample size are recommended to support the latter. - Full text:PhilippJObstetGynecol454135-129196_033519.pdf
