title: Results of a phase II trial with second-line cystemustine at 60 mg/m2 in advanced soft tissue sarcoma: a trial of the EORTC Early Clinical Studies Group.
abstract: The aim of this phase II trial was to examine the efficacy of a new nitrosourea, cystemustine, in soft tissue sarcoma. Between January 1990 and March 1991, 32 pretreated patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma were enrolled. Cystemustine was given every 2 weeks at 60 mg/m2 via a 15-min i.v. infusion. All eligible patients were considered evaluable for response and toxicity (WHO criteria). Of the 32 enrolled patients, 4 were ineligible, leaving 28 evaluable patients. All but 1 had been pretreated: 6 with adjuvant chemotherapy, 18 patients with first-line palliative chemotherapy without nitrosourea, 3 with both treatments, and 18 had received radiotherapy. Median age was 54 years (range 20-73) and median performance status was 1 (0-2). One partial response (PR, duration 12 weeks), 2 stable disease and 25 progressions were observed, giving an overall response rate of 3.57% (confidence interval: 0.1-18.4%). Toxicity was mild, and was mainly neutropenia (no grade 3 or 4), thrombocytopenia (3.57% grade 3 and grade 4) and nausea-vomiting (no grade 3 or 4). It should be noted that the treatment for the patient who obtained a PR was third line with no previous response. Cystemustine with this schedule appears to have a low clinical activity and toxicity in advanced soft tissue sarcoma.
authors.affiliation: Centre Jean Perrin and Inserm U71, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Curé
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Krakowski
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adenis
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tubiana
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kerbrat
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roché
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chevallier
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lentz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fumoleau
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chollet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; C051263:N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N-(2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl)-N'-nitrosourea