Background: Key distinguishing characteristics of trabectedin in the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma are its prolonged tumor control activity in multiple histological subtypes, positive outcomes in translocation-related sarcomas, maintenance of response, option to rechallenge after treatment interruption and lack of cumulative toxicity. Trabectedin is indicated for use in advanced soft tissue sarcoma after failure of anthracyclines and ifosfamide, or as front-line treatment in patients unsuited to receive these agents.
Methods: In this review, cases studies are presented in which trabectedin was used according to its indication but in diverse clinical settings.
Results: As second-line treatment of uterine leiomyosarcoma, trabectedin produced prolonged tumor control with good quality of life. In treatment of recurrent synovial sarcoma, the best objective response (partial response) and longest disease control (37 months) was achieved under treatment with trabectedin. As neoadjuvant treatment of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in a patient unsuited to receive doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, trabectedin induced a pathological response with 85% of necrosis.
Conclusion: These cases illustrate the broad range of indications for trabectedin in advanced soft tissue sarcoma and highlight how its unique characteristics can be optimized to achieve maximum clinical benefit.
Keywords: clinical case studies; dosing guidelines; neoadjuvant chemotherapy; synovial sarcoma; trabectedin rechallenge; undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma; uterine leiomyosarcoma.