Concurrent preoperative eribulin and radiation for resectable retroperitoneal liposarcoma: a phase 1B study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Radiation Oncology

Background:

• Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLPS) management is challenging with high recurrence rates post-surgery.
• Preoperative radiation alone has not shown definitive benefits.
• Combined neoadjuvant therapies are explored to improve local control and address micrometastatic disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety and tolerability of preoperative eribulin in combination with radiation for RPLPS.
• To determine the recommended phase 2 doses (RP2D) for this combined-modality treatment.

Main Methods:

• Open-label, dose-finding study involving patients with primary or recurrent resectable RPLPS.
• Administered escalating doses of eribulin (cytotoxic microtubule inhibitor) over three 21-day cycles.
• Concurrent intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to 50.4 Gy began during cycle 1, followed by surgical resection.

Main Results:

• Established the RP2D as eribulin 1.4 mg/m² and IMRT 50.4 Gy, with a manageable safety profile.
• Median recurrence-free survival was 30.4 months and median overall survival was 54.1 months in evaluable patients.
• No significant changes in patient-reported outcomes were observed during the study.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative eribulin combined with IMRT demonstrates a manageable safety profile for resectable RPLPS.
• This neoadjuvant approach warrants further prospective evaluation for improving treatment outcomes.
• The study identified safe and effective dosing for future clinical trials in RPLPS.