Long-Lasting Response to Trabectedin in a Patient with Metastatic Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare tumor that accounts for 1% of all uterine malignancies. In spite of adequate surgical resection of uLMS, even in the early stage, patients remain at high risk for local and distant recurrence. Therefore, the treatment of advanced uLMS represents a considerable challenge. METHODS: We report the case of a 47-year-old woman who presented with uLMS with abnormal vaginal bleeding. RESULTS: The patient underwent a total hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy, which was followed by 1 year progression-free survival without adjuvant therapy. Thereafter, new lung metastases and local progression at the vaginal stump were observed. Chemotherapy with ifosfamide and doxorubicin was administered. However, after 4 cycles, a CT scan revealed disease progression in the lung metastases. Subsequently, the patient was treated with trabectedin at a dose of 1.5 mg/m(2) for 6 cycles resulting in complete remission of the lung metastases as well as partial remission of the mass in the vaginal stump after 9 cycles of trabectedin. The patient is currently on maintenance therapy with trabectedin and has no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Trabectedin seems to be an efficient option for patients with uLMS as demonstrated by a long-lasting response in a pretreated patient with an acceptable safety profile with no signs of cumulative toxicity.