European-Canadian randomized trial of paclitaxel in relapsed ovarian cancer: high-dose versus low-dose and long versus short infusion

Taxol (paclitaxel; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Wallingford, CT) is a new anticancer agent with activity in a number of human tumors, including epithelial ovarian cancer. In nonrandomized trials, doses studied have ranged from 135 mg/m2 to 250 mg/m2 administered over 24 hours with premedication to avoid hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs). This study addressed two questions: the dose-response relationship of Taxol in relapsed ovarian cancer and the safety of a short infusion given with premedication.