Trabectedin for inoperable or recurrent soft tissue sarcoma in adult patients: a retrospective cohort study

Trabectedin is an antineoplastic agent used for patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) who fail standard-of-care treatment. Real-world data of its performance is scarce. This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of trabectedin for patients with advanced STS who were treated at a high-volume sarcoma center.

A retrospective chart review was performed on 77 patients treated with trabectedin (24 h infusion q3w) between 01/2005 and 05/2014. Data regarding safety, objective radiological response, progression-free and overall survival were analyzed.

Median age at treatment onset was 52y [interquartile range (IQR): 45-61y]. Tumors included leiomyosarcoma (41.6 %), liposarcoma (18.2 %), and synovial sarcoma (13 %). Trabectedin was provided as ≥ third-line chemotherapy in 71.4 %. Median number of cycles was 2 (range: 1–17). Dose reduction and treatment delays occurred in 19.5 and 40.3 %, respectively. Toxicities occurred in 78 %, primarily for neutropenia or elevated liver enzymes. Two patients died secondary to trabectedin-induced rhabdomyolysis. Treatment was discontinued because of disease progression (84.7 %), toxicity (10 %), and patient preference (5 %). Partial response or stable disease occurred in 14.1 and 33.8 %, respectively, while 52.1 % developed progressive disease. Median progression-free survival was 1.3 m (IQR: 0.7–3.5 m) and was significantly higher in patients lacking severe toxicities or progressive disease. Median overall survival was 6.7 m (IQR: 2.3–12.7 m) and was significantly higher in patients with leiomyosarcoma or liposarcoma relative to other histologies.

Trabectedin has an acceptable safety profile as an anti-tumor agent. Our data further suggest there may be some benefit in using trabectedin particularly in patients with leiomyo- or liposarcoma who failed standard-of-care agents.