title: Oxaliplatin-dacarbazine combination chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma of the limbs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to explore the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of pre-operative oxaliplatin-dacarbazine combination therapy for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the limb.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 2005 and November 2008, 31 patients with advanced limb STS classified with stage IV STS were randomly assigned into experimental or control groups, and both were given 2 cycles of chemotherapy before undergoing surgery. The regimen for the experimental group was oxaliplatin (120 mg/m2, d1) in combination with dacarbazine (175 mg/m2, d13), while that for the control group was a standard vincristine, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide therapy. Operations were carried out four weeks after the second chemotherapy cycle, followed by another 24 more chemotherapy cycles of the previous regimen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following preoperative chemotherapy, the experimental group exhibited a significant improvement in tumor regression compared to controls. Both regimens were well-tolerated, and no significant differences in adverse reactions were noted. At a median follow-up of 24 months, 28 patients were still alive and had normal limb function. The progression free survival rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (10/15 vs. 4/16, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oxaliplatin- dacarbazine neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy improved the prognosis of patients with advanced limb STS in comparison with vincristine, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide combination therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, PR China. tigerzong@msn.com
authors.forename: Xiang-Yun
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zong
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Hong-Jian
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D014750:Vincristine; D003606:Dacarbazine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide