Ongoing Trials: A closer look at ECOG-ACRIN’s clinical trials for patients with sarcoma 

Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in bone or in the soft tissues of the body. Soft tissue can include cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, or other connective or supportive tissue. To date, there have been few advances in treatment. However, ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group is committed to making progress in this challenging disease.

This Sarcoma Awareness Month, we highlight two important clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes for patients affected by soft tissue sarcomas. Click on the ‘learn more’ links for patient materials and eligibility requirements.

High-risk retroperitoneal sarcoma

The EA7211/STRASS 2 trial is an international study for patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). RPS is a type of soft tissue sarcoma that develops in the space behind the lining of the belly (abdomen). Specifically, STRASS 2 is for patients with two high-risk subtypes of RPS: leiomyosarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma.

The usual treatment for these patients is surgery to remove the cancer. However, researchers think that patients may have better results if they receive chemotherapy before surgery. This could potentially help shrink the cancer and make it easier to remove. It could also prevent it from spreading.

About 250 patients will take part in STRASS 2. They will be randomly assigned by a computer to receive either surgery or a course of chemotherapy and then surgery. Researchers will compare both groups, looking to see if chemotherapy keeps patients disease-free for a longer period of time than surgery alone. They will also measure whether chemotherapy helps patients live longer.

Learn more about EA7211/STRASS 2 at ecog-acrin.org.

Advanced-stage undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma

The EA7222 trial is for patients with inoperable undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). UPS is a type of soft tissue sarcoma that usually starts in the arms or legs. Less often, it starts in the space behind the lining of the belly. The usual treatment for patients with UPS that cannot be removed by surgery is chemotherapy with a drug called doxorubicin (DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin). Sometimes doxorubicin and another chemotherapy called ifosfamide (i-FOS-fuh-mide) are used. Despite these treatments, survival rates are low. The average overall survival rate for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma is only two years.

Early research shows that the addition of immunotherapy with a drug called pembrolizumab (pem-broh-LIH-zoo-mab) may improve results and help patients live longer. Pembrolizumab is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat many other types of cancer.

About 180 patients will enroll in EA7222. They will be randomly assigned by a computer to receive either doxorubicin or doxorubicin and pembrolizumab. Researchers will compare both groups of patients, looking to see if the new approach is more effective in controlling the cancer.

Learn more about EA7222 at ecog-acrin.org.