Gemcitabine and docetaxel for epithelioid sarcoma: results from a retrospective, multi-institutional analysis

Oncology. 2014;87(2):95-103. doi: 10.1159/000362602. Epub 2014 Jul 4.

Abstract

Objective: Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) presents unique clinical features in comparison to other sarcoma subtypes. Data regarding the benefits of chemotherapy are very limited. Combination regimens using gemcitabine and docetaxel (Gem/Doce) have proven to be effective, especially in uterine and nonuterine leiomyosarcoma. Yet, there is no available data on the efficacy of Gem/Doce in ES.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the three participating institutions was performed. Twenty-eight patients with an ES diagnosis presented at one of the participating institutions between 1989 and 2012. Of this group, 17 patients received chemotherapy.

Results: Patients' median overall survival (OS) after the beginning of palliative chemotherapy was 21 months, and the 1-year OS was 87%. Twelve patients received Gem/Doce with a clinical benefit rate of 83%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8 months for all patients receiving Gem/Doce. The best response was complete remission in 1 patient and partial remission in 6 patients. All 6 patients receiving Gem/Doce as a first-line treatment showed measurable responses with a median PFS of 9 months.

Conclusions: In this retrospective study, Gem/Doce was an effective chemotherapeutic regimen for ES. Prospective studies are needed to better assess the effects of this combination drug therapy.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anthracyclines / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Deoxycytidine / administration & dosage
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Docetaxel
  • Female
  • Gemcitabine
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoma / mortality
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Survival Rate
  • Taxoids / administration & dosage
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anthracyclines
  • Taxoids
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Docetaxel
  • Gemcitabine