Alessandro Gronchi, MD, chair of Sarcoma Service, IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy, discusses ​the results of the ​phase 2 TRASTS trial in soft tissue sarcoma.

The international, prospective TRASTS study, which was presented during the 

 ​evaluated the utility of trabectedin (Yondelis) in combination with radiation therapy ​in patients with localized myxoid liposarcoma.

Prior data showed that trabectedin alone induced tumor shrinkage in 40% to 50% of patients in this population, Gronchi says. Additionally, radiation therapy ​alone induces tumor shrinkage in about 40% of patients.

Findings from the study showed that 53% of patients ​treated had tumor shrinkage ​with 10% or less viable tumor remaining​, says Gronchi.

​Additionally, ​30% of patients achieved a partial response and 70% achieved stable disease with the combination, ​Gronchi adds.

Ultimately, the combination of trabectedin and radiation therapy appears to be a feasible and well-tolerated regimen in patients with localized myxoid liposarcoma, Gronchi concludes.

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Alessandro Gronchi, MD, discusses ​the results of the ​phase 2 TRASTS trial in soft tissue sarcoma.

Dr. Gronchi on the Results of the TRASTS Trial in Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Alessandro Gronchi, MD, chair of Sarcoma Service, IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy, discusses the toxicity profile of trabectedin (Yondelis) and radiation therapy in the international, prospective phase 2 TRASTS study in patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

No significant differences in safety with trabectedin/radiation therapy was observed in the study compared with what has been seen previously reported with this approach in soft tissue sarcoma, says Gronchi. 

The combination of trabectedin and radiation therapy has been shown to be associated with neutropenia and elevated liver enzymes, adds Gronchi. All patients enrolled on the TRASTS study completed treatment and no toxicity-related deaths were reported. Additionally, none of the reported toxicities were determined to be unmanageable.

Notably, conventional chemotherapy agents anthracycline and ifosfamide are used in combination with radiotherapy when there is a locoregional need. In order to achieve maximum tumor shrinkage, conventional chemotherapy is combined with radiotherapy, explains Gronchi. 

That being said, the combination of anthracycline-based chemotherapy plus radiotherapy is far more toxic than trabectedin plus radiotherapy from a bone marrow perspective, concludes Gronchi.

Alessandro Gronchi, MD, discusses the toxicity profile of trabectedin and radiation therapy in patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

Dr. Gronchi on the Toxicity Profile of Trabectedin Plus Radiotherapy in Sarcoma

Alessandro Gronchi, MD, chair, Sarcoma Service, IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy, discusses the rationale for the phase 2 TRASTS study in soft tissue sarcoma.

, findings from the international, prospective TRASTS study revealed that the combination of trabectedin (Yondelis) and radiation therapy was feasible and well tolerated in the preoperative setting in patients with myxoid liposarcoma. 

The study was a collaborative effort between Spanish, Italian, and French Sarcoma research groups. 

Typically, patients with myxoid liposarcoma are young with a median age of around 40, explains Gronchi.

Moreover, they are generally given anthracycline-based chemotherapy, which while efficacious, is associated with significant toxicity including hair loss and potential cardiac disease, Gronchi says.

Findings from the study showed that trabectedin plus concurrent radiation therapy may provide an alternative regimen to anthracycline-based chemotherapy for patients with high-risk localized myxoid liposarcoma, concludes Gronchi.

Alessandro Gronchi, MD, discusses the rationale for the phase 2 TRASTS study in soft tissue sarcoma.



Alessandro Gronchi, MD

Articles

Dr. Gronchi on the Results of the TRASTS Trial in Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Dr. Gronchi on the Toxicity Profile of Trabectedin Plus Radiotherapy in Sarcoma

Dr. Gronchi on the Rationale for the TRASTS Study in Soft Tissue Sarcoma