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.