etoposide + cyclophosphamide + carboplatin

This combination regimen, known as the Adjuvant Chemotherapy of Three-step Regimens (ACTS), is an experimental treatment protocol developed by Dr. Xiaohua Wu at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center for patients with advanced (Stage IIIc/IV) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have achieved complete remission after standard first-line therapy. The regimen is structured into three distinct steps: the first step is standard first-line chemotherapy (typically paclitaxel and a platinum agent), followed by a second step consisting of six cycles of cyclophosphamide (CTX) and etoposide (VP-16), and a third step consisting of six cycles of carboplatin (CBP) and cyclophosphamide. Etoposide acts as a topoisomerase II inhibitor, cyclophosphamide as a DNA alkylating agent, and carboplatin as a DNA cross-linking agent. The goal of this sequential approach is to consolidate remission and reduce the high rate of recurrence associated with late-stage gynecological cancers.

Other names

etoposide + cyclophosphamide + carboplatin regimenACTS regimenVP-16 + CTX + CBP