Stabilization of the advanced ASPS by trabectedin (Yondelis)

[Olga]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22868503

Onkologie. 2012;35(5):249-52. doi: 10.1159/000338342. Epub 2012 Apr 23.
Efficacy of trabectedin in patients with advanced or metastatic alveolar soft-part sarcoma.
Pink D, Bertz-Lepel J, Busemann C, Bitz U, Reichardt P.
Source
HELIOS Klinikum Bad Saarow, Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Palliative Care, Sarcoma Center Berlin-Brandenburg, Bad Saarow, Germany. daniel.pink@helios-kliniken.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare sarcoma often occurring in young patients that is characterized by the unbalanced translocation der(17)t(X;17) (p11;q25). Although it usually shows an indolent clinical course, the prognosis is usually poor in advanced disease. Since standard chemotherapy regimens used in soft-tissue sarcomas lack efficacy in ASPS, new therapeutic options are needed. We investigated the efficacy of trabectedin, which has demonstrated activity in a variety of cancer types including some of the most prevalent translocation-related sarcomas.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
7 patients with metastatic or advanced ASPS treated with trabectedin in the Sarcoma Center Berlin-Brandenburg and the University Hospital of Greifswald were analyzed for median progression-free survival (mPFS), overall survival (OS), and therapy-related toxicity. Results: In 6 patients with documented disease progression, disease stabilization was reached with trabectedin; only 1 patient experienced progressive disease. The mPFS and OS were 7 months and 21 months, respectively, since the start of trabectedin treatment. Overall, no severe Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) grade 3 or 4 toxicity was observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
The poor prognosis of patients with ASPS has so far been due to the unavailability of effective systemic treatments. Trabectedin can be considered the only currently registered drug with clinical activity in this disease.
Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Comment in
Alveolar soft part sarcoma: should we be targeting the tumor or targeting the vasculature? [Onkologie.

In US this drug can be arranged trough the company producer directly on a compassionate basis.

[Bonni Hess]

Thank you for sharing this important and encouraging information Olga. I am familiar with Yondelis, but can't remember specifically if any of the ASPS patients on this Board or from the previous now defunct TAAASPS site received treatment with it but I was thinking that at least one patient (Rosie Feraldo? )had a failed response to it. Do you have any memory/knowledge about that?
With special caring thoughts and continued Hope,
Bonni