Giovanni Grignani, MD, medical oncologist, Candiolo Cancer Institute IRCCS, discusses the intended patient population for trabectedin (Yondelis) in the treatment of sarcoma.

This is a new option that oncologists should consider for frail patients who have soft tissue sarcoma.

Videos

Dr. Grignani on the Patient Population of Trabectedin for Sarcoma

Giovanni Grignani, MD, medical oncologist, Candiolo Cancer Institute IRCCS, discusses the future of treatments for patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

According to Grignani, more research is needed to improve the patient selection for each of the available drugs.

Investigating a combination of treatments that has a manageable toxicity profile is an additional form of research, explains Grignani. Additionally, introducing a more effective immunotherapy would have a great impact on the treatment paradigm.

Dr. Grignani on the Future of Treatments for Sarcoma

Giovanni Grignani, MD, medical oncologist, Candiolo Cancer Institute IRCCS, discusses the safety profile of trabectedin (Yondelis) in the treatment of sarcoma.

The aging population of patients with sarcoma have several comorbidities, which can disrupt the course of treatment. But, in a recent phase II study, trabectedin showed a favorable safety profile with no toxicity related deaths in this population.

This regimen requires very careful premedication with steroids and close follow up, though, says Grignani—as there are patients who might develop unusual toxicities.

Dr. Grignani Discusses the Safety Profile of Trabectedin in Sarcoma

Giovanni Grignani, MD, medical oncologist, Candiolo Cancer Institute IRCCS, discusses some of the data seen thus far with trabectedin (Yondelis) as a treatment for patients with sarcoma.

In a phase II study involving patients with metastatic or locally relapsed uterine leiomyosarcoma (MLRUL) pretreated with conventional chemotherapy, trabectedin met the study criteria, with a 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 33% and a 12-month PFS rate of 20%.

According to Grignani, trabectedin is just one of the many innovative options that oncologists have when dealing with the increasing percentage of patients with this disease. Moreover, he says this patient population is aging, and physicians frequently find elderly patients who have several comorbidities, which can disrupt an otherwise efficacious course of treatment.

Giovanni Grignani, MD, medical oncologist, Candiolo Cancer Institute IRCCS, discusses some of the data seen thus far with trabectedin as a treatment for patients with sarcoma.

Giovanni Grignani, MD

Articles

Dr. Grignani on the Patient Population of Trabectedin for Sarcoma

Dr. Grignani on the Future of Treatments for Sarcoma

Dr. Grignani Discusses the Safety Profile of Trabectedin in Sarcoma

Dr. Grignani on the Role of Trabectedin in Sarcoma