Phase II Study of ET-743 in Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group Trial

Abstract

Purpose This nonrandomized multicenter phase II study was performed to evaluate the activity and safety of Ecteinascidin (ET-743) administered at a dose of 1.5 mg/m2 as a 24-hour continuous infusion every 3 weeks in patients with pretreated advanced soft tissue sarcoma. Patients and Methods Patients with documented progressive advanced soft tissue sarcoma received ET-743 as second- or third-line chemotherapy. Antitumor activity was evaluated every 6 weeks until progression, excessive toxicity, or patient refusal. Results One hundred four patients from eight European institutions were included in the study (March 1999 to November 2000). A total of 410 cycles were administered in 99 assessable patients. Toxicity mainly involved reversible grade 3 to 4 asymptomatic elevation of transaminases in 40% of patients, and grade 3 to 4 neutropenia was observed in 52% of patients. There were eight partial responses (PR; objective regression rate, 8%), 45 no change (NC; > 6 months in 26% of patients), and 39 progressi...