Phase II study of sorafenib in patients with metastatic or recurrent sarcomas

Abstract

PURPOSE Since activity of sorafenib was observed in sarcoma patients in a phase I study, we performed a multicenter phase II study of daily oral sorafenib in patients with recurrent or metastatic sarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS We employed a multiarm study design, each representing a sarcoma subtype with its own Simon optimal two-stage design. In each arm, 12 patients who received 0 to 1 prior lines of therapy were treated (0 to 3 for angiosarcoma and malignant peripheral-nerve sheath tumor). If at least one Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) was observed, 25 further patients with that sarcoma subtype were accrued. Results Between October 2005 and November 2007, 145 patients were treated; 144 were eligible for toxicity and 122 for response. Median age was 55 years; female-male ratio was 1.8:1. The median number of cycles was 3. Five of 37 patients with angiosarcoma had a partial response (response rate, 14%). This was the only arm to meet the RECIST response rate primary end point. Median progression-free survival was 3.2 months; median overall survival was 14.3 months. Adverse events (typically dermatological) necessitated dose reduction for 61% of patients. Statistical modeling in this limited patient cohort indicated sorafenib toxicity was correlated inversely to patient height. There was no correlation between phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase expression and response in six patients with angiosarcoma with paired pre- and post-therapy biopsies. CONCLUSION As a single agent, sorafenib has activity against angiosarcoma and minimal activity against other sarcomas. Further evaluation of sorafenib in these and possibly other sarcoma subtypes appears warranted, presumably in combination with cytotoxic or kinase-specific agents.

Conflict of interest statement

Authors' disclosures of potential conflicts of interest and author contributions are found at the end of this article.

Figures

Fig 1.

CONSORT diagram for patients registered for this study. MPNST, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor; MFH, malignant fibrous histiocytoma; HGUPS, high grade undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, formerly termed malignant fibrous histiocytoma; CR, complete response; PR, partial response; SD, stable disease; PD, progresive disease.

Fig 2.

(A, C) Progression-free survival and (B, D) overall survival for (A, B) all patients and by (C, D) stratum. (A) Progression-free survival for all assessable patients (n = 122). (B) Overall survival for all assessable patients (n = 122). (C) Progression-free survival by arm. (D) Overall survival by arm.

Fig 3.

Plot of best radiological outcome by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) by subject. (*) The discovery of new disease or growth of index lesions over 200% from baseline as the basis of progression. MPNST, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor; MFH, malignant fibrous histiocytoma; HGUPS, high grade undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, formerly termed malignant fibrous histiocytoma.