OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the feasibility of administering multiple courses of chemotherapy without excessive dose modification or treatment delay in patients with previously untreated ovarian epithelial carcinoma or primary peritoneal carcinoma. II. Determine the response rate (in patients with measurable disease) and progression-free interval in these patients receiving this treatment.
OUTLINE: This is a feasibility study. On day 1, patients receive paclitaxel as a 3 hour continuous IV infusion followed by carboplatin as a 30 minute infusion. Gemcitabine is administered by continuous infusion over 30 minutes on day 1 following carboplatin and on day 8. In the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, courses repeat every 21 days for a maximum of 8 courses. Patients are followed every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for the next 3 years, and annually thereafter.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 15-45 patients will be accrued for this study within approximately 2 years.
