Which goals should we pursue in each line of treatment for advanced soft tissue sarcoma?

Treatment at Specialized Cancer Centers Is Associated with Improved Survival in Adolescent and Young Adults with Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of tumors whose management benefits from a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach. Published data suggest that cancer treatment at a specialized cancer center (SCC) can improve survival in other cancers. Therefore, we examined the impact of the location of treatment on survival in children and adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with STS. Methods: We performed a population-based analysis of children and AYAs hospitalized within 1 year of diagnosis with first primary STS (2000-2014) using the California Cancer Registry linked with hospitalization data. Patients were categorized based on receiving all inpatient treatments at a SCC versus part/none. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression identified factors associated with overall and STS-specific survival by age group. Results are presented as adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Of the 1,674 patients with STS, 142 were children (0-14) and 1,532 were AYAs (15-39) and 89.4% and 40.4% received all inpatient treatments at a SCC, respectively. Overall, the 5-year survival was improved for patients who received all inpatient care at a SCC (59.8% vs. those who received part/none, 50.7%). Multivariable regression analysis found that having all treatments at a SCC was associated with better overall survival (HR, 0.79, CI: 0.65-0.95) in AYAs, but not in children. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that treatment for STS at a SCC is associated with better survival in AYAs. Eliminating barriers to treatment of AYAs with STS at SCCs could improve survival in this population.

Current Reality of Treating Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma as Illustrated by Case Studies

In the first-line setting of advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS), the treatment aim generally drives decision-making. Anthracycline combinations with ifosfamide or dacarbazine are more appropriate when the aim is tumour shrinkage, and doxorubicin monotherapy is suitable for tumour control. In patients who progress on anthracycline-based regimens, scope exists for tumour shrinkage with trabectedin and concurrent low-dose radiotherapy. Selecting systemic treatment for patients with advanced STS unsuited to receive standard anthracycline-based therapy often involves complex decision-making as clinical trial evidence comparing alternative options is lacking. Key factors to consider are patient characteristics (e.g., age, medical history, performance status), disease characteristics (e.g., stage, histology), and treatment requirements such as the drug's safety profile, evidence of efficacy by subtype, and approved indication as an alternative first-line treatment option. Real-world data for elderly STS patients derived from retrospective studies and post hoc analyses of clinical trials have particular value in guiding treatment selection and improving the management of this populous but undertreated segment of the STS population.

Real-world evidence of the efficacy and tolerability of trabectedin in patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcoma

INTRODUCTION

The efficacy and tolerability of trabectedin in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) have been confirmed by various clinical studies involving lipo- and leiomyosarcomas as well as many other subtypes including translocation-related sarcomas. These data have been obtained from randomized phase II and III clinical trials. Studies in real-world clinical practice are necessary to bridge the efficacy-effectiveness gap and complete the body of evidence. Furthermore, reinforcing clinical experience with data from routine clinical practice allows drug management to be optimized and clinical benefits to be maximized.

AREAS COVERED

The present review provides the most significant data on the efficacy of trabectedin in real-world studies, and the interpretation of real-world experience with trabectedin, in patients with advanced STS.

EXPERT OPINION

Trabectedin has demonstrated durable disease control and an adequate safety profile, indicating it to be a suitable long-term treatment drug associated with a good quality of life. Personalized strategies and individualized objectives are the way forward in the management of STS.