European journal of cancer : official journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
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Multicenter Study
Exatecan in pretreated adult patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma: results of a phase II--study of the EORTC Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group.
No standard treatment is established for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma after previous chemotherapy with anthracyclines and ifosfamide, given either in combination or sequentially. Exatecan (DX-8951f) is a totally synthetic analogue of the topoisomerase I-inhibitor camptothecin, which was synthesised to impart increased aqueous solubility, greater tumour efficacy, and less toxicity than camptothecin itself, topotecan or irinotecan. Since some activity against soft tissue sarcomas, especially leiomyosarcomas, has been reported for topoisomerase I-inhibitors, a study with a new and more potent agent seemed justified. ⋯ Using a two-step statistical design, the trial was stopped after the first step in both strata, due to lack of activity. In pretreated soft tissue sarcoma patients, Exatecan is well tolerated but does not achieve any objective responses. However, with respect to progression-free survival, Exatecan did show some activity in leiomyosarcomas.
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Multicenter Study
Delayed radiotherapy following dose intensive chemotherapy for parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma (PM-RMS) of childhood.
To evaluate the local control rates and survival rates of patients with Group III parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma (PM-RMS) treated with a dose intensive chemotherapy regimen followed by irradiation. ⋯ Treatment of group III PM-RMS patients with neo-adjuvant, intensive chemotherapy with a delay in irradiation resulted in excellent local-regional control rates and survival rates and may allow for a response-based radiotherapy approach.