title: Treatment of vascular soft tissue sarcomas with razoxane, vindesine, and radiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In previous studies, razoxane and vindesine together with radiotherapy was proved to be effective in soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Because razoxane leads to a redifferentiation of pathological tumor blood vessels, it was of particular interest to study the influence of this drug combination in vascular soft tissue sarcomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  This open multicenter Phase II study was performed by the Austrian Society of Radiooncology. Among 13 evaluable patients (10 angiosarcomas and 3 hemangio-pericytomas), 9 had unresectable measurable disease, 3 showed microscopic residuals, and 1 had a resection with clear margins. They received a basic treatment with razoxane and vindesine supported by radiation therapy. Outcome measures were objective response rates, survival time, and the incidence of distant metastases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In nine patients with measurable vascular soft tissue sarcomas (eight angiosarcomas and one hemangiopericytoma), 6 complete remissions, 2 partial remissions, and 1 minor remission were achieved, corresponding to a major response rate of 89%. A maintenance therapy with razoxane and vindesine of 1 year or longer led to a suppression of distant metastases. The median survival time from the start of the treatment is 23+ months (range, 3-120+) for 12 patients with macroscopic and microscopic residual disease. The progression-free survival at 6 months was 75%. The combined treatment was associated with a low general toxicity, but attention must be given to increased normal tissue reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This trimodal treatment leads to excellent response rates, and it suppresses distant metastases when given as maintenance therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiooncology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Feldkirch, Austria.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rhomberg
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wink
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pokrajac
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eiter
authors.forename: Arnulf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hackl
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pakisch
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ginestet
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lukas
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pötter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006393:Hemangiopericytoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011929:Razoxane / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014751:Vindesine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D011929:Razoxane; D014751:Vindesine