A phase 2 study of temsirolimus (CCI-779) in patients with soft tissue sarcomas: a study of the Mayo phase 2

Scott Okuno1, Howard Bailey, Michelle R Mahoney

  • 1Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Okuno.scott@mayo.edu

Cancer
|February 3, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Temsirolimus showed limited clinical activity in advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS), with only 5% partial response rate. The drug also presented moderate toxicities in patients with STS.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a heterogeneous group of malignancies.
  • Current treatment options for advanced STS often have limited efficacy.
  • Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are being investigated for various cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the confirmed response rate of temsirolimus (CCI-779) in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS).
  • To assess the safety and tolerability of temsirolimus in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • A phase II clinical trial was conducted involving patients with measurable advanced STS.
  • Eligible patients received intravenous temsirolimus at 25 mg on a weekly schedule for 4 weeks.
  • The primary endpoint was the confirmed response rate, assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST).

Main Results:

  • Forty patients were evaluable for response and adverse events.
  • Two patients (5%) achieved a confirmed partial response.
  • The median time to progression was 2.0 months, and median overall survival was 7.6 months.
  • Grade 3+ adverse events possibly related to therapy occurred in 43% of patients.

Conclusions:

  • Temsirolimus demonstrated limited clinical activity in patients with advanced STS.
  • The drug exhibited moderate toxicities in this patient population.
  • Further investigation may be needed to identify potential subsets of STS patients who could benefit from temsirolimus.

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