Role of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) in the treatment of relapsing ovarian cancer

The most significant factor predicting response to second-line chemotherapy is the time interval elapsed from the end of chemotherapy to relapse occurrence. Two types of situations may be considered: patients with platinum-sensitive relapse (relapse-free interval longer than 6 months) and patients with platinum-refractory relapse (progression during treatment or relapse-free interval under 6 months). Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is a doxorubicin formulation. Encapsulation in liposomes confers it different pharmacokinetic characteristics and a more favorable toxicity profile. The following review examines the efficacy and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for the treatment of relapsing epithelial ovarian cancer.