Mayo Clinic has reported positive preliminary results in the Phase 11 clinical trials of a new combination therapy using flavopiridol (an investigational anti-cancer agent that also boosts the effects of other therapeutics including cisplatin) with cisplatin (a platinum compound) for women with platinum-resistant ovarian or primary peritoneal (lining of the abdominal cavity) cancers.

Of the 18 patients, all of whom were receiving the therapy as a second-line treatment after disease progression, one patient experienced complete response (all signs of cancer gone) and five other patients experienced partial responses (tumor regression). The 33 percent overall response rate (6 of 18 patients) is about twice as high as seen using traditional chemotherapy regimens.

The researchers also offered the combination therapy to five patients with platinum-sensitive (original therapy resulted in no recurrence for greater than 12 months) ovarian cancer. Of these women, one experienced complete response and three others partial response.

The researchers are now planning on expanding the trial to verify the results. Read more from the Mayo Clinic report.