A new study of a platinum-based treatment designed to combat advanced ovarian cancer has offered some encouraging results to scientists at the 40th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

A Phase II study of CAELYX (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride) in combination with carboplatin revealed an average overall survival span of 32 months, markedly above the standard period.

In addition the study showed that the treatment inhibited progression of the disease for 9.4 months.

The study also revealed that common side effects of anti-cancer treatment such as alopecia and neurotoxicity, were less prominent.

"The median overall survival results of 32 months and progression-free survival results of 9.4 months seen with CAELYX and carboplatin combination therapy are particularly promising considering the study involved a high-risk population," said Professor Eric Pujade-Lauraine, the head of the medical oncology unit at Hopital Hotel-Dieu in Paris.

"This combination may also have the advantage of greater tolerability, with a low incidence of hair loss and neurotoxicity, important considerations for women at this stage of the disease."

The study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of carboplatin and CAELYX in 105 patients with advanced ovarian cancer who had relapsed six months or more after a prior treatment.