Auto-discovered from 1 recent study; not yet curated.
Human trialTrialMixed resultsStrong evidenceTier 4 · clinicaln = 558
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · Mar 2025 · Phase 3 randomized controlled trial
This randomized phase 3 study compared Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) plus weekly paclitaxel versus paclitaxel alone in 558 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Overall survival was similar between groups (median 12.2 vs 11.9 months; HR 1.01, p=0.89). Grade 65 3 adverse events were similar, while grade 1/2 device-related skin events occurred in 83.6% of patients receiving TTFields. An exploratory post-hoc analysis in PLD-naive patients reported longer median OS with TTFields+PTX (16 vs 11.7 months; nominal HR 0.67, p=0.03).
Reported effects: median OS (intent-to-treat) 12.2 mo · HR for OS (intent-to-treat) 1.01 [0.83–1.24], p=0.89 · +3 more
Studied with: paclitaxel.
Key findings
- 558 patients were randomized to TTFields+PTX (n=280) or PTX (n=278).
- Primary endpoint overall survival: median OS 12.2 months with TTFields+PTX vs 11.9 months with PTX (HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.83-1.24; p=0.89).
- Grade 65 adverse events were similar between treatment groups.
- Grade 1/2 device-related skin adverse events occurred in 83.6% of patients receiving TTFields.
- Exploratory post-hoc in PLD-naive patients: median OS 16 months with TTFields+PTX (n=113) vs 11.7 months with PTX (n=88); nominal HR 0.67 (95% CI 0.49-0.94); p=0.03.
Limitations: Primary endpoint (OS) was not improved in the intent-to-treat population.; The favorable finding in PLD-naive patients is from an exploratory post-hoc subgroup analysis and may not be definitive.; Potential for multiple comparisons and subgroup selection bias in post-hoc analyses.; Device-related skin adverse events were frequent (grade 1/2 in 83.6% of TTFields patients).; Abstract does not report longer-term follow-up details or quality-of-life data..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jul 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Lab · in vitroFormulationReported positivePreclinical onlyTier 1 · lab
Nanoscale · Jul 2024
The authors developed zwitterionic thermoresponsive nanoparticles with an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) tuned to 43 °C to deliver paclitaxel intracellularly and release it upon hyperthermia. In cell experiments, the nanoparticles released nearly all encapsulated drug after 1 hour at 43 °C while retaining more than 95% of the payload at 37 °C, and paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles produced greater therapeutic effects on ovarian cancer cells than non-encapsulated paclitaxel.
Reported effects: payload release after 1 h at 43 °C · payload retained at 37 °C
Studied with: paclitaxel.
Key findings
- Thermoresponsive nanoparticles (NPs) with UCST behavior were synthesized via RAFT emulsion polymerization combining polyzwitterionic stabilizers and an oligoester biodegradable core.
- The cloud point (Tcp) of the NPs was tuned to match hyperthermia treatment needs at 43 °C and used to control paclitaxel delivery.
- "The NPs released almost entirely the encapsulated drug only following 1 h incubation at 43 °C, whereas they retained more than 95% of the payload in the physiological environment (37 °C), thus demonstrating their efficacy as on-demand drug delivery systems."
- Administration of drug-loaded NPs to ovarian cancer cells produced therapeutic effects that outperformed conventional administration of non-encapsulated paclitaxel.
Limitations: In vitro cell-based study only; no in vivo or human data reported in the abstract.; Abstract does not report quantitative cytotoxicity metrics, cell line identities, sample sizes, or statistical analysis details.; No pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, safety, or long-term efficacy data presented..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jul 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
ReviewTrialInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinicaln = 11
Revista colombiana de obstetricia y ginecologia · Jun 2024 · expert consensus / practice guideline based on literature review
This paper is an expert consensus, not a clinical study of a single drug. Eleven specialists reviewed the literature and issued recommendations for managing advanced or metastatic high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, genetic testing, bevacizumab, and PARP inhibitors. It does not report new patient outcomes from a trial. The document mainly summarizes what the panel suggested based on existing guidelines and evidence.
Studied with: platinum-based chemotherapy, bevacizumab, paclitaxel, carboplatin.
Key findings
- The panel suggested primary cytoreductive surgery as the initial approach when complete resection is feasible.
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval surgery was suggested when complete cytoreduction is unlikely or the patient has poor functional status/comorbidities.
- Bevacizumab was suggested with platinum-based chemotherapy for high-risk disease, with maintenance only if it was part of first-line therapy.
- PARP inhibitors (olaparib, niraparib, rucaparib) were suggested as maintenance in selected BRCA/HRD-defined groups.
- For platinum-resistant relapse, sequential non-platinum single-agent chemotherapy and best supportive care for poor performance status were suggested.
Limitations: This is a consensus statement/practice guideline, not an original comparative trial.; No new efficacy or safety data are reported in the abstract.; Recommendations are based on literature review and expert agreement, so they are subject to guideline-selection and expert-opinion bias.; The abstract does not provide patient-level outcomes, follow-up, or effect estimates.; Several recommendations are conditional/suggested rather than based on direct evidence from this paper..
Provides management recommendations for advanced/metastatic epithelial ovarian cancer, including several anticancer agents and maintenance strategies.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Case reportReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
BMJ case reports · Dec 2023 · case report
This is a case report of a woman in her 60s with uterine carcinosarcoma showing immature teratoid-like differentiation who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy followed by postoperative paclitaxel and carboplatin. Pathology showed mixed carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements with immature squamous epithelial cells and immature epithelial glands, and the final diagnosis was uterine carcinosarcoma with immature teratoid-like differentiation. At 14 months after surgery the patient had not experienced recurrence.
Key findings
- The tumour showed heterogeneous histology with both carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements and teratoid features.
- Microscopy identified immature squamous epithelial cells and immature epithelial glands; focal atypical fused glands consistent with endometrioid carcinoma were identified in the endometrium.
- Differential diagnosis included extrarenal Wilms' tumour and teratocarcinosarcoma; final diagnosis was uterine carcinosarcoma with immature teratoid-like differentiation.
- The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy and received postoperative paclitaxel and carboplatin.
- At 14 months after surgery the patient had not experienced recurrence.
Limitations: Single patient case report (n=1), so findings are not generalizable.; No control or comparator group.; Follow-up limited to 14 months as reported in the abstract; longer-term outcome unknown.; No quantitative outcome measures or statistical analysis reported in the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jul 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Case reportMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
Journal of medical case reports · Aug 2023 · case report
PaclitaxelCarboplatinOlaparibfallopian tube cancerhigh-grade serous carcinomabreast cancerovarian neoplasmshereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome A 72-year-old woman underwent hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for presumed benign disease; detailed pathology revealed incidental high-grade serous carcinoma of the right fallopian tube. Staging surgery found a single para-aortic node metastasis, a germline BRCA2 mutation was detected, she received six courses of paclitaxel plus carboplatin followed by maintenance olaparib, and she was disease-free 18 months after surgery.
Reported effects: adjuvant chemotherapy courses 6, n=1 · disease-free at 18 mo, n=1
Studied with: paclitaxel and carboplatin.
Key findings
- Incidental detection of high-grade serous carcinoma of the right fallopian tube on detailed pathological examination.
- Staging laparotomy confirmed a single para-aortic lymph node metastasis (FIGO Stage IIIA1(i)).
- Postoperative detection of a germline BRCA2 mutation and diagnosis of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome.
- Patient received adjuvant therapy: six courses of paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by maintenance olaparib.
- Patient was free of disease 18 months after surgery.
Limitations: Single-patient case report (n=1) limits generalizability.; No control or comparison group to assess treatment effect.; Relatively short follow-up (reported disease-free status at 18 months only).; No dosing details provided for chemotherapy or olaparib in the abstract..
Illustrates that detailed pathologic examination and accurate staging can identify occult fallopian tube cancer and that germline BRCA2 testing may inform use of maintenance PARP inhibitor therapy.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jul 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
ReviewMechanismMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical
International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society · Feb 2023
This review summarizes current knowledge on endometrial carcinosarcoma, an aggressive high-grade endometrial carcinoma with sarcomatous trans-differentiation that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. It describes common molecular features (frequent p53 abnormalities; variable POLE/MSI-H) and current management: multimodal therapy with optimal surgery plus chemotherapy and radiotherapy, carboplatin/paclitaxel as first-line systemic therapy for recurrent/metastatic disease, and regulatory approvals for pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib in endometrial cancer generally. The authors note that carcinosarcoma patients were excluded from many immunotherapy trials and that emerging molecular insights may enable more personalized treatments in the future.
Reported effects: proportion_in_endometrioid_components 25% · proportion_in_non-endometrioid_components 3%
Studied with: carboplatin/paclitaxel doublet, pembrolizumab + lenvatinib, concomitant or sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy, surgery plus chemotherapy and radiotherapy (multimodal).
Key findings
- Endometrial carcinosarcoma is a rare, aggressive high-grade endometrial carcinoma with secondary sarcomatous trans-differentiation.
- Clinical presentation and diagnostic work-up are similar to endometrioid endometrial cancer, but carcinosarcoma is more frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage.
- Endometrial carcinosarcoma encompasses different histological subtypes depending on the carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements.
- The majority of endometrial carcinosarcomas are characterized by p53 abnormalities.
- The proportion of POLE and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) is related to the epithelial component, being approximately 25% and 3% in endometrioid and non-endometrioid components.
- Non-metastatic disease management is multimodal with optimal surgery followed by concomitant or sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy, even for early stages.
- Palliative chemotherapy is recommended for metastatic or recurrent disease, with carboplatin/paclitaxel doublet as the first-line regimen.
- Patients with endometrial carcinosarcoma were excluded from most studies evaluating single-agent immunotherapy or combinations, although pembrolizumab and lenvatinib have FDA and EMA approvals in endometrial cancer after progression on chemotherapy (and single-agent immunotherapy in MSI-H cancers).
- Emerging molecular knowledge is opening promising therapeutic options for more personalized treatment.
Limitations: This article is a narrative review rather than primary clinical trial data.; Endometrial carcinosarcoma is a rare and heterogeneous disease, limiting generalizable high-quality evidence.; Patients with carcinosarcoma were excluded from most immunotherapy studies, resulting in limited direct trial evidence for these agents in this histotype.; The abstract does not present new quantitative clinical trial outcomes specific to carcinosarcoma..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Case reportReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
Experimental and therapeutic medicine · Jul 2022 · case report
This is a case report of a 61-year-old woman with stage IIIC ovarian carcinosarcoma who underwent extensive cytoreductive surgery followed by six cycles of carboplatin, paclitaxel and bevacizumab. Bevacizumab was not continued after chemotherapy because of severe myelosuppression and cost; the patient then received oral niraparib maintenance. At 6 months after the sixth chemotherapy, CA-125 fell to 4.55 U/ml and imaging plus tumor marker assessment indicated remission at short-term follow-up. The report suggests combined surgery, chemotherapy and targeted maintenance was associated with a favorable short-term outcome in this single patient.
Reported effects: number_of_chemotherapy_cycles 6, n=1 · CA-125 at 6 months 4.55, n=1 · +1 more
Studied with: carboplatin, paclitaxel, bevacizumab.
Key findings
- Extensive cytoreductive surgery performed (sub-extensive hysterectomy, bilateral adnexectomy, sigmoid colon and partial rectal resection, lymph node dissection).
- Postoperative pathology confirmed ovarian carcinosarcoma with serous carcinoma and squamous carcinoma components; sarcomatous elements included fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma.
- Patient staged as FIGO IIIC and TNM T3cN1M0.
- The patient received six cycles of carboplatin, paclitaxel plus bevacizumab.
- Severe myelosuppression occurred during and after chemotherapy; bevacizumab was not maintained after chemotherapy (also noted to be expensive).
- Following chemotherapy the patient received oral niraparib maintenance therapy.
- At 6 months after the sixth chemotherapy, cancer antigen 125 levels dropped to 4.55 U/ml (within normal range).
- Short-term 6-month follow-up by ultrasonography, CT, MRI and serum tumor markers indicated a remission prognosis.
Limitations: Single-patient case report — results not generalizable.; Short follow-up duration (6 months) — no long-term outcomes reported.; No control or comparator group to attribute benefit to any specific component of the management.; Bevacizumab was discontinued (and had toxicity/cost issues), complicating interpretation of the combined regimen's effect.; No dose details provided for niraparib or chemotherapeutic agents..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human trialTrialReported positiveStrong evidenceTier 4 · clinicaln = 536
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · Mar 2022 · randomized phase III trial
This randomized phase III study compared paclitaxel plus carboplatin with paclitaxel plus ifosfamide in adults with uterine or ovarian carcinosarcoma. In uterine carcinosarcoma, paclitaxel plus carboplatin was not inferior to the ifosfamide regimen and had longer median overall survival and progression-free survival. Toxicities were broadly similar, although some side effects differed between the two groups.
Reported effects: median OS 37 mo, p P < .01 for noninferiority, P > .1 for superiority, n=449 · HR 0.87 [0.7–1.075], p P < .01 for noninferiority, P > .1 for superiority, n=449 · +4 more
Studied with: carboplatin, ifosfamide.
Key findings
- In uterine carcinosarcoma, paclitaxel plus carboplatin was not inferior to paclitaxel plus ifosfamide for overall survival.
- Median overall survival was 37 versus 29 months in uterine carcinosarcoma.
- Median progression-free survival was 16 versus 12 months in uterine carcinosarcoma.
- Toxicities were similar overall, with more hematologic toxicity in the paclitaxel-carboplatin arm and more confusion and genitourinary hemorrhage in the paclitaxel-ifosfamide arm.
- In ovarian carcinosarcoma, paclitaxel plus carboplatin had numerically longer survival outcomes, but the differences were not statistically significant.
Limitations: Primary analysis was focused on uterine carcinosarcoma; ovarian carcinosarcoma results had limited precision.; The abstract reports noninferiority and superiority p-values but does not provide full confidence intervals for progression-free survival.; Toxicity details are summarized only briefly in the abstract..
This study evaluates chemotherapy regimens in carcinosarcoma, a cancer setting, with direct survival and toxicity outcomes.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
ReviewMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early human
Women's health (London, England) · Jan 2014 · review
This review summarizes that uterine serous carcinoma is an aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer that, despite representing under 10% of cases, causes a disproportionate number of deaths. Standard management is comprehensive surgical staging followed by carboplatin and paclitaxel, and vaginal cuff brachytherapy may be beneficial. Recent whole-exome sequencing studies identified HER2/NEU gain-of-function and driver mutations in the PIK3CA/AKT/mTOR and cyclin E/FBXW7 pathways. The authors highlight these molecular alterations as relevant therapeutic targets for biologic therapy in chemotherapy-resistant recurrent USC.
Studied with: carboplatin + paclitaxel.
Key findings
- Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is a highly aggressive variant of endometrial cancer and accounts for a disproportionate number of deaths despite representing less than 10% of cases.
- Comprehensive surgical staging followed by carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy represents the mainstay of USC therapy.
- Vaginal cuff brachytherapy is also of potential benefit in USC.
- Whole-exome sequencing studies have demonstrated gain of function of the HER2/NEU gene in a large number of USCs.
- Sequencing studies also found driver mutations in the PIK3CA/AKT/mTOR and cyclin E/FBXW7 oncogenic pathways.
- These genomic results emphasize the relevance of these novel therapeutic targets for biologic therapy of chemotherapy-resistant recurrent USC.
Limitations: This is a review article and does not present new primary clinical trial data.; The abstract reports genomic findings but provides no quantitative results, sample sizes, or outcome data.; No direct evidence of clinical efficacy of targeted agents in USC is provided in the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jul 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
ReviewMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical
Current pharmaceutical design · Jan 2012 · editorial
Paclitaxelepithelial ovarian carcinomaovarian cancer This is an editorial summarizing past and current systemic therapies and future developments for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. It notes approaches such as weekly paclitaxel scheduling and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and reports that trials of angiogenesis inhibitors and PARP inhibitors have shown improvements in progression-free survival while overall survival data are still pending; it also highlights trabectedin, HIPEC, and chemo-immunotherapy as potential future options.
Studied with: weekly paclitaxel scheduling, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, immunotherapy (chemo-immunotherapy).
Key findings
- The editorial summarizes chemotherapy regimens historically and focuses on current systemic therapies and future developments for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.
- Attempts to optimize chemotherapy include weekly paclitaxel scheduling and intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
- Trials of angiogenesis inhibition and PARP inhibitors "show an advantage in progression-free survival" though overall survival data are awaited.
- Trabectedin, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), and chemo-immunotherapy are mentioned as potentially promising approaches.
Limitations: Editorial/narrative summary with no original patient-level data or methods reported.; No quantitative results, trial identifiers, or detailed outcome data provided in the abstract.; Statements are broad and descriptive; specific study designs, sample sizes, or statistical details are not included.; Because it is an editorial, it may summarize other studies without systematic review methodology..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jul 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
ReviewReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical
International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society · Mar 2007
This review summarizes current management of ovarian carcinosarcoma, an uncommon malignancy with poor prognosis. The authors state that these tumors are generally sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy and report encouraging results with platinum-ifosfamide and platinum-taxane schedules. They note some patients with poor performance status may only be eligible for single-agent platinum or ifosfamide or occasionally nonplatinum combinations, and that aggressive cytoreductive surgery appears to improve outcome but has higher complication rates and should be done by experienced surgeons.
Studied with: platinum-ifosfamide, platinum-taxane, ifosfamide plus paclitaxel.
Key findings
- Ovarian carcinosarcomas are uncommon malignancies that carry a poor prognosis.
- Presentation is usually indistinguishable from epithelial ovarian cancer.
- There is evidence that ovarian carcinosarcomas are sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy.
- Recent studies have shown encouraging results with platinum-ifosfamide and platinum-taxane schedules, which are usually considered the treatment of choice.
- Many patients present with poor performance status and may be unsuitable for combination chemotherapy but may benefit from single-agent platinum or ifosfamide or occasionally nonplatinum schedules such as ifosfamide plus paclitaxel.
- Aggressive cytoreductive surgery appears to have a positive impact on outcome but has been associated with higher rates of complication and should be attempted by experienced gynecological surgeons in centers with expertise.
Limitations: Ovarian carcinosarcoma is a low-frequency disease, which has made prospective trials difficult to perform (as stated in the abstract).; Many patients present with poor performance status, limiting the applicability of combination chemotherapy for some individuals.; Aggressive cytoreductive surgery is associated with higher complication rates (limiting generalizability and increasing procedural risk).; This article is a review and does not report primary new trial data in the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Evidence at a glance: Paclitaxel by cancer
A deterministic grade of what published studies report for each: strength of evidence, the reported direction, and the largest credible effect, strongest-evidence first. This summarizes findings; it is not a claim that anything works.
No primary experimental studies yet.
Largest credible effect: proportion_in_endometrioid_components 25% PMID 36585027 · effect sizes 3–25 across 2 studies
Most authoritative study: Endometrial carcinosarcoma
No human studies yet · Based on a single study.
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