Clinical Trial of Docetaxel in Combination With Gemcitabine in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer and Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma

This study is for patients with advanced ovarian cancer that has reappeared after treatment with conventional therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine if the combination of docetaxel and gemcitabine will be effective in reducing or eliminating the tumor(s) in patients with ovarian cancer. Docetaxel is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of breast and lung cancer; gemcitabine is approved by the FDA for the treatment of pancreatic and lung cancer. Neither docetaxel nor gemcitabine are approved for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Both drugs have been shown to decrease the size of ovarian cancer tumors.

Primary Objective: 1\. To determine the response rate, time to progression and survival (secondary) of the combination of docetaxel and gemcitabine administered on a weekly basis to patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer Secondary Objective: 1. To determine the toxicity of this combination regimen in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer 2. To evaluate the toxicity and safety profile of a short course (one dose) of premedication with steroids to patients receiving weekly gemcitabine and docetaxel OUTLINE: Patients receive gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes on days 1 and 8, and docetaxel IV over 60 minutes on day 8. Treatment repeats every 21 days until PD, unacceptable toxicity, or patient's withdrawal.