OncoLink Scientific Meetings Coverage   /   ASCO   /   OncoLink at ASCO 2001   /   OncoLink at ASCO 2001: Tuesday, May 15

Response to neoadjuvant thermochemotherapy as significant prognosticator for long-term survival of patients with retroperitoneal or visceral high-risk soft-tissue sarcoma

Li Liu, MD

University of Pennsylvania Cancer
Last Modified: May 15, 2001

Presenter: C.M.Wendtner
Affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilian-University

Background:

The clinical application of hyperthermia with increase of tissue temperatures (range 40-44 degrees C) has been integrated in multimodal anti- cancer strategies. The combination of hyperthermia and chemotherapy or radiochemotherapy has been tested within clinical protocols in order to improve local tumor control and relapse-free survival in patients with high- risk sarcomas.

Materials and Methods:

• A total of 58 patients with high-risk retroperitoneal or visceral (RP/V) sarcoma were included in this prospective study.
• Patients were treated with 4 cycles of VP-16, ifosfamide and adriamycin combined with regional hyperthermia (RHT) followed by surgery, more chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
• Tumor size was > 5cm.

Results:

• Overall response rate was 33%
• Pathologic response rate in 26 patients after surgical resection was 42%
• 25 patients achieved initial complete response
• Median survival was 31 months and 5-year overall survival was 32%
• Response to neoadjuvant thermochemotherapy was a prognostic factor of overall survival

Authors' Conclusions

• Patients who responded to neoadjuvant thermochemotherapy appeared to have improved survival.
• The importance of RHT for local tumor control will be tested in a phase III trial.

Clinical/Scientific Implications:

• The retroperitoneal/visceral soft tissue sarcomas carry a formidable prognosis. Although widely used, the roles of adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy have not been established.
• New therapeutic agents as well as innovative combined-modality approaches are needed to achieve better outcome.