Razoxane and vindesine in advanced soft tissue sarcomas: impact on metastasis, survival and radiation response.
BACKGROUND
The treatment options in advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are limited. In a pilot study, an antimetastatic and radiosensitizing treatment concept was explored.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with unresectable and/or oligometastatic STS received the drugs razoxane and vindesine supported by radiotherapy and surgery. Long-term treatment was intended in metastatic disease. Forty-one patients with comparable stages of STS treated with contemporary chemotherapy served as non-randomised controls. The prognostic parameters of the groups were comparable.


RESULTS
In the study group, the median number of new metastases after 6 months was 0 (range, 0-40) and after 9 months likewise 0 (0-70). The corresponding numbers in the control group were 4.5 (range, 0-40) and 9 (0->100) (p<0.001). The progression-free survival at 6 months was 71% in the study group and 23% in the controls, and the median survival time from the occurrence of the first metastasis was 16 months versus 9 months. The rate of major responses under radiotherapy combined with razoxane and vindesine was 88%, and in the control group 62% (p=0.007). The combined treatment was associated with a low to moderate toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment combination inhibited the development of remote metastases in the majority of patients with STS and prolonged survival to some extent.
Rhomberg
Walter
W
Department of Radiation Oncology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Feldkirch, Austria. walter.rhomberg@gmx.at
Eiter
Helmut
H
Schmid
Franz
F
Saely
Christoph
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D011929:Razoxane / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014751:Vindesine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011929:Razoxane; D014751:Vindesine