Pediatric Liposarcoma Medication

Updated: Jul 23, 2018
  • Author: Alexander Gozman, MD; Chief Editor: Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA  more...
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Medication

Medication Summary

The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcomas is not clearly defined. Despite the fact that these tumors can respond to chemotherapy, [28] a definitive survival advantage for patients with incompletely resected tumors who are treated with combination chemotherapy has not been established. [23]

Doxorubicin and ifosfamide appear to be the most effective cytotoxic agents for nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas. Trabectedin has been shown to delay time to progression. [29, 30] In this setting, chemotherapy is investigational and consultation with a pediatric oncologist who has experience with nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue tumors is required.

Another medical treatment option is sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. A clinical trial of sunitinib in relapsed or refractory disease showed some promising data. More than 40% of patients demonstrated responses, particularly those with liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. [31]