title: Combination chemotherapy with hydroxyurea, dacarbazine (DTIC), and etoposide in the treatment of uterine leiomyosarcoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.
abstract: Advanced or recurrent uterine leiomyosarcomas have traditionally been resistant to most chemotherapeutic regimens. Preliminary reports suggested the combination of hydroxyurea, dacarbazine (DTIC), and etoposide (VP-16) was sufficiently effective to warrant larger trials. In a Phase II trial undertaken by the Gynecologic Oncology Group, 39 patients with advanced or recurrent leiomyosarcoma were treated with 2 g of hydroxyurea, 700 mg/m2 of DTIC, and 300 mg/m2 of VP-16 in divided doses every 4 weeks. Thirty-eight patients were evaluable for response. Two patients experienced complete responses and five had partial responses for a total objective response rate of 18.4% (95% confidence interval: 7.7-34.3%). In general, therapy was well tolerated with moderate toxicity. Six of the seven responders had disease outside the pelvis. The combination of hydroxyurea, DTIC, and VP-16 exhibits moderate activity against uterine leiomyosarcoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Blessing
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Muss
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Burke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D003606:Dacarbazine; D006918:Hydroxyurea