Phase II study of topotecan (NSC 609 699) in patients with recurrent or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma.
BACKGROUND
New drugs are needed for treatment of unresectable or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. Topotecan, a semisynthetic derivative of the alkaloid, camptothecin, exerts its cytotoxic effect through inhibition of topoisomerase I.


METHODS
Thirty-two adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma entered this phase II study of topotecan, administered at 1.5 mg/m2/day IV x 5 days every 3 weeks. All had measurable disease and none had received previous chemotherapy.


RESULTS
There were 3 partial responses (10.3%; 95% CI 2.2-27.4%) in 29 evaluable patients. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 25 patients, and there was a 17% incidence of infection/neutropenic fever leading to one toxic death.


CONCLUSIONS
Topotecan, in this dose and schedule, has low activity in adult soft tissue sarcoma.
Bramwell
V H
VH
London Regional Cancer Centre, Ontario, Canada.
Eisenhauer
E A
EA
Blackstein
M
M
Boos
G
G
Knowling
M
M
Jolivet
J
J
Bogues
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D019772:Topotecan
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019772:Topotecan; D002166:Camptothecin