A Phase II Study of Docetaxel and Epirubicin in Advanced Adult Soft Tissue Sarcomas (STS)

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of docetaxel plus epirubicin combination as first-line chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic adult STS. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighteen patients were treated with epirubicin 30 mg/m(2) on days 1 to 3 and docetaxel 100 mg/m(2) on day 1 every 3 weeks. RESULTS Fifteen out of 18 patients (83.4%) were assessable for response. No complete response was recorded. Three (20%) patients achieved PR, 3 had SD and 9 PD. The overall median survival was 14 months (range, 3-48 months) and the median time to disease progression was 4 months (range, 2-45 months). Grade >/= 3 neutropenia occurred in 88% and neutropenic fever in 27.8% of patients. Other toxicities were mild. No treatment related deaths occurred. DISCUSSION Docetaxel plus epirubicin combination achieved low response rate with severe myelotoxicity in patients with advanced STS.