Abstract: Background and purpose: Over 80% of advanced ovarian cancer will recur after primary treatment with a median progression-free survival time of 20 months. Patients with recurrent ovarian cancer can’t be cured, but can achieve longer life span and improved life of quality. This study proposed to design a three-step chemotherapy regimen for firstly relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer to improve survival outcomes. Methods: From May 2010 to December 2016, 20 patients with platinum-sensitive first relapsed ovarian cancer were treated in the Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. All patients received three-step chemotherapy. The three-step chemotherapy regimen included: ① paclitaxel+carboplatin, administered once every 3 weeks, a total of 6 cycles; ② nedaplatin+etoposide+cyclophosphamide, administered once every 4 weeks, total 5 cycles followed by paclitaxel+carboplatin, administered once every 4-6 weeks, a total of 4 cycles; ③ nedaplatin+etoposide+ cyclophosphamide, administered once every 8 weeks, a total of 5 cycles. Results: The 4-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate and the 5-year DFS rate were 65.0% (13/20) and 61.5% (8/13), respectively. The 4-year and 5-year survival rates were both 100% (20/20 and 13/13). Conclusion: Three-step chemotherapy regimen is correlated to improved survival outcomes for patients with platinum- sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Due to its promising effects and low costs, potential value of this treatment strategy is worth further exploration.

Key words: Ovarian cancer, Relapse, Disease-free survival, Chemotherapy