J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2024 Feb;59(1):22-32. 10.4055/jkoa.2024.59.1.22 .

Comparative Evaluation of Second-Line Chemotherapy Agents for Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Gemcitabine/Docetaxel, Pazopanib, and Alternatives

• Kim TH
• Sung KH
• Chung SH

• KMID: 2553345
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2024.59.1.22

Abstract

Purpose
Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a group of rare mesenchymal cancers with more than 50 histological subtypes. A recently published study identified the chemosensitivity according to the tumor subtype and grade. This study assessed the efficacy of gemcitabine/ docetaxel (GD) and other agents by comparing the results with the literature.
Materials and Methods
One hundred and eight patients with STS were enrolled between May 2012 and February 2020. Sixteen cases (16 patients) received second-line pazopanib or GD for advanced STS. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method. The overall response rate (ORR) was determined based on the proportion of individuals within a treatment group who achieved either a partial response or complete response to the treatment within a specific timeframe. The quality of life of the patients before and after chemotherapy was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire) questionnaire.
Results
Pazopanib yielded a median OS of 13.2 months and a median PFS of 10.8 months at the authors’ institution. The median OS and PFS for GD were 16.0 and 12.9 months, respectively. In the present 16 assessable cases, GD and pazopanib achieved a 37.5% ORR. After chemotherapy, the EORTC QLQ-C30 functional scale score improved in both groups, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion
Pazopanib and GD may be effective second-line treatments for improving the OS and PFS. GD was associated with a better OS and ORR than pazopanib in patients with advanced STS and appeared more efficient.

Keyword

sarcoma; gemcitabine; docetaxel; pazopanib