Chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma - The Scandinavian Sarcoma Group experience

Citation
Jo. Fernberg et al., Chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma - The Scandinavian Sarcoma Group experience, ACT ORTH SC, 70, 1999, pp. 62-68
Citations number
50
Categorie Soggetti
Ortopedics, Rehabilitation & Sport Medicine","da verificare
Journal title
ACTA ORTHOPAEDICA SCANDINAVICA
ISSN journal
00016470 → ACNP
Volume
70
Year of publication
1999
Supplement
285
Pages
62 - 68
Database
ISI
SICI code
0001-6470(199906)70:<62:CISTS->2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
The first chemotherapy study of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) by the Scandinavi an Sar-coma Group was started in 1981 (SSG I). It evaluated the single agen t adjuvant doxorubicin in a randomized setting in patients with high-grade STS. No improvement was noted in the overall survival or disease-free survi val rate. More intense chemotherapy was thereafter (1991-1994) evaluated in a phase 2 study, introducing ifosfamide and a continuous infusion of etopo side with growth factor (SSG X). The response rate of previously untreated patients was high (42%), but complete remissions were few. Analysis of pati ents undergoing surgery after preoperative chemotherapy suggested an increa sed survival. A recent meta-analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy for localized resectable STS in adults, including the SSG I trial, indicated a batter di sease-free survival and possibly improved overall survival (Thierny et al. 1997). At present, we are studying whether such a benefit can be shown inpa tients with high-risk prognostic criteria by giving adjuvant ifosfamide and doxorubicin treatment after primary surgery (SSG XIII). In the latter SSG study, started on July 1, 1998, the adjuvant therapy is evaluated in a phas e 2 study in selected patients with high-grade STS and other unfavorable pr ognostic factors.