Activity of chemotherapy in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma: a multicentre retrospective analysis within the Italian...

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) is an ultra-rare sarcoma, molecularly defined by the HEY1::NCOA2 fusion, and characterized by a poor prognosis in the advanced phase. Data on the activity of systemic agents in MCS are only retrospective and limited to case reports or heterogeneous series. We report the results of an Italian, multicentric, retrospective study on the activity of cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with MCS.

This retrospective, multicentre Italian Sarcoma Group study included patients with molecularly confirmed MCS, treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy, high-dose ifosfamide (HD-IFX), or trabectedin between 2000 and 2022. Response to treatment was assessed retrospectively through imaging review. Survival outcomes were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method.

Thirty-five patients were identified (19 = localized disease, 16 = advanced disease). Anthracycline-based regimens yielded an overall response rate (ORR) of 26% [95% confidence interval (CI) 15% to 50%]. Among patients with localized disease, Ewing-like regimens showed an ORR of 33.3% (95% CI 9.9% to 65.1%), median relapse-free survival (mRFS) of 86.9 months, and 5-year overall survival of 95%; other anthracycline combinations had an ORR of 40% (95% CI 5.3% to 85.3%) and mRFS of 32.6 months. In advanced disease, Ewing-like regimens yielded an ORR of 16.7% (95% CI 0.4% to 64.1%) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 13.2 months, while other anthracycline regimens resulted in an ORR of 22.2% (95% CI 15% to 50%) and mPFS of 9.3 months. HD-IFX showed no responses, with early progression in all cases. Trabectedin achieved stable disease in all four treated patients, with a median PFS of 16.9 months.

This multicentre study confirms that anthracycline-based regimens show activity in MCS, with responses more in line with soft tissue sarcoma than Ewing sarcoma. Their benefit in localized disease remains uncertain, but (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy with Ewing-like regimens should be considered for patients eligible for surgery. In advanced disease, trabectedin may provide prolonged disease control after anthracyclines.