Fixed-dose rate gemcitabine plus docetaxel as first-line therapy for metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group phase II trial.
OBJECTIVE
Fixed-dose rate gemcitabine plus docetaxel is active as second-line therapy for metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma. We sought to determine the activity of this regimen as first-line treatment.


METHODS
Eligible women with advanced uterine leiomyosarcoma were treated with gemcitabine 900 mg/m(2) over 90 min, on days one and eight, plus docetaxel 100 mg/m(2) on day eight, with granulocyte growth factor support on day nine of a 21-day cycle. Patients with prior pelvic radiation received lower doses. Patients were treated until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Response was assessed every other cycle by RECIST.


RESULTS
Forty-two women enrolled, with 39 evaluable for response. Objective responses were observed in 15 of 42 patients (35.8% overall; complete response 4.8%, partial response 31%, 90% confidence interval 23.5 to 49.6%), with an additional 11 (26.2%) having stable disease. Nineteen of 38 (50%) received six or more cycles of study treatment. Myelosuppression was the major toxicity: neutropenia grade 3 in 5%, grade 4 in 12%; anemia grade 3 in 24%; thrombocytopenia grade 3 in 9.5%, grade 4 in 5%. One patient had a grade 3 allergic reaction, 17% had grade 3 fatigue. One possibly-related grade 4 pulmonary toxicity was observed. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.4 months (range 0.4 to 37.2+ months). Among 15 women with objective response, median response duration was 6 months (range 2.1 to 33.4+ months). Median overall survival was 16+ months (range:.4-41.3 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Fixed-dose rate gemcitabine plus docetaxel achieves high objective response rates as first-line therapy in metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA. gynbreast@mskcc.org
Martee L
ML
Hensley
John A
JA
Blessing
Robert
R
Mannel
Peter G
PG
Rose
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine