A Phase II Study of Docetaxel in Patients with Relapsed and Refractory Ewing's Tumours. (2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meyer, T.; Mctiernan, A.; Whelan, J.
• Is Part Of: Sarcoma. Volume 7:Number 1(2003)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2003
• Subjects: Sarcoma -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1080/1357714031000114192
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-714X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose . The prognosis for patients with Ewing's tumours who have metastases at presentation or who are refractory to standard chemotherapy regimens remains poor. There is therefore a need to evaluate the role of new agents. This report describes the initial results of a prospective phase II trial of docetaxel in patients with progressive or refractory Ewing's tumours. Patients and methods . Fourteen patients with Ewing's tumours who had all relapsed or progressed after treatment with multi-drug cytotoxic therapy were treated with docetaxel 100 mg/m 2 infused over 1 h, three weekly for a maximum of six cycles. Nine patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor with all cycles. Results . A partial response was observed in one patient and stable disease in two. The remaining patients progressed on treatment. The major toxicity was myelosuppression and infection with 36% patients experiencing grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and/or infection. Conclusion . Docetaxel appears to have some activity in Ewing's tumours even in heavily pre-treated patients. Further evaluation of its efficacy at an earlier stage of the disease is warranted.