Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 14, 2026

A Mouse Model of Incompletely Resected Soft Tissue Sarcoma for Testing Neoadjuvant Therapies
Published on: July 28, 2020
Study protocol of REGOSARC trial: activity and safety of regorafenib in advanced soft tissue sarcoma: a
Thomas Brodowicz1, Bernadette Liegl-Atzwager2, Emmanuelle Tresch3
1Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna - MusculoSkeletal Tumors, Medical University Vienna - General Hospital, Vienna, Austria. thomas.brodowicz@meduniwien.ac.at.
Background:
Angiogenesis, among other signaling pathways, plays a key-role in sarcoma biology. Regorafenib (RE) has recently been shown to be effective in imatinib and sunitinib-refractory GIST in a phase III trial.
Methods/Design:
We are conducting an international trial (France, Austria and Germany) consisting in 4 parallel double-blind placebo-controlled randomized (1/1) phase II trials to assess the activity and safety of RE in doxorubicin-refractory STS (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01900743). Each phase II trial is dedicated to one of the 4 following histological subgroups: liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma and other sarcoma. Within each randomized trial the following stratification factors will be applied: countries and prior exposure to pazopanib. Key-eligibility criteria are: measurable disease, age ≥18, not > 3 previous systemic treatment lines for metastatic disease, metastatic disease not amenable to surgical resection. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) according to central radiological review. Secondary endpoints are: Toxicity (NCI-CTC AE V4.0); time to progression; Growth modulation index in pts receiving RE after randomization; 3 and 6 months PFS-Rates, best response rate and overall survival. Each phase II trial will be separately analyzed. In 3 trials, statistical assumptions are: PFS0 = 1.6 & PFS1 = 4.6 months; 1-sided α = 0.1; β = 0.05 with a total sample size of 192 pts. To take into account the rarity of synovial sarcoma, the statistical assumptions are: PFS0 = 1.6 & PFS1 = 4.6 months; 1-sided α = 0.1; β = 0.2 Tumor assessment is done monthly during the 4 first months, and every 3 months thereafter. After central radiological confirmation of tumor progression, an optional open-label option is offered to eligible patients.
Discussion:
The design of this trial allows an assessment of regorafenib activity over placebo in four sarcoma strata and might provide evidence for launching a phase III trial. This study includes both integrative and exploratory translational research program. The study is enrolling since June 2013 (TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: EudraCT N°: 2012-005743-24, on the 15(th) February 2012).
Insights
This international phase II trial investigates regorafenib (RE) for advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The study aims to assess RE
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Research
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Angiogenesis is crucial in sarcoma development.
- Regorafenib (RE) shows efficacy in refractory GIST.
- Doxorubicin-refractory STS requires novel treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of regorafenib (RE) in patients with doxorubicin-refractory soft tissue sarcoma (STS).
- To assess RE's activity across four distinct STS histological subgroups.
- To provide data supporting a potential phase III trial for RE in STS.
Main Methods:
- Four parallel, international, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized phase II trials.
- Stratification by country, prior pazopanib exposure, and histological subgroup (liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, other).
- Primary endpoint: progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints include toxicity, time to progression, and overall survival.
Main Results:
- The study is designed to assess regorafenib's activity compared to placebo.
- Statistical assumptions are defined for efficacy endpoints in three subgroups.
- Specific assumptions account for the rarity of synovial sarcoma.
Conclusions:
- The trial design enables robust assessment of regorafenib's efficacy in four sarcoma strata.
- Results may inform the initiation of a larger phase III trial.
- The study incorporates an integrated translational research program.
Related Concept Videos
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

