Trabectedin (ET-743): evaluation of its use in advanced soft-tissue sarcoma.
Trabectedin (ET-743; Yondelis) is a novel DNA-binding agent, originally derived from the marine tunicate, Ecteinascidia turbinata, and now produced synthetically. The efficacy of trabectedin in patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcoma has been demonstrated in three Phase II studies involving 189 previously treated patients. A pooled analysis of data from these studies showed that trabectedin induced tumor control (objective responses plus disease stabilization) in approximately 50% of patients; median overall survival was 10.3 months and progression-free survival at 6 months was 19.8%, with 29.3% of patients alive at 2 years. Responses were achieved in patients who were resistant to both doxorubicin and ifosfamide. Trabectedin is generally well tolerated, with adverse events being non cumulative, reversible and manageable. Unlike other commonly used cytotoxic agents, trabectedin is not associated with cardiotoxicity or neurotoxicity and alopecia is rare. Trabectedin is an interesting new anticancer agent that offers much promise for the treatment of advanced soft-tissue sarcoma.
Leuven Cancer Institute, Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Catholic University Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. patrick.schoffski@uzleuven.be
Patrick
P
Schöffski
Pascal
P
Wolter
Paul
P
Clement
Raf
R
Sciot
Ivo
I
De Wever
Agnieszka
A
Wozniak
Cristiana
C
Stefan
Herlinde
H
Dumez
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004149:Dioxoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077606:Trabectedin; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D004149:Dioxoles; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines; D000077606:Trabectedin