Authors: Issels RD, Abdel-Rahman S, Wendtner C, Falk MH, Kurze V, Sauer H, Aydemir U, Hiddemann W.
Publication: Eur J Cancer. 2001 Sep;37(13):1599-608.
PURPOSE:
In this phase II study, activity and safety of neoadjuvant regional hyperthermia (RHT) combined with chemotherapy was investigated in 59 patients with primary advanced or recurrent high-risk soft-tissue sarcoma (STS).
METHODS and MATERIALS:
Patients received four EIA cycles consisting of etoposide, ifosfamide and doxorubicin combined with RHT followed by surgical resection and adjuvant treatment. The overall objective response (OR) rate was 17%, with one complete (2%) and eight partial (15%) responses. In addition, 13 minor responses (25%) were seen. At time of surgery, complete necrosis (pCR) occurred in 6 patients and >75% necrosis (favourable histological response (FHR)) in 12 patients.
RESULTS:
At the completion of protocol treatment, 36 patients were rendered disease-free which was significantly associated with the initial radiographic and/or pathological tumour response (P=0.004). Treatment-related toxicity was acceptable overall. At a medium follow-up of 82 months, local treatment failure occurred in 33 patients, median overall survival (OS) was 52 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 49% (95% confidence interval (CI): 36-61%)
CONCLUSIONS:
OS which did not differ for extremity versus non-extremity STS (P=0.21) was better for patients responding to EIA combined with RHT (P<0.01).