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

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Medical Oncology

Background:

• Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLPS) management is challenging with high recurrence rates post-surgery.
• Preoperative radiation alone has shown limited definitive benefit.
• Combined modality approaches are being explored to improve local control and address micrometastatic disease.

Purpose of the Study:

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

Main Methods:

• An open-label, dose-finding study involving patients with primary or recurrent resectable RPLPS.
• Patients received escalating doses of eribulin concurrently with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) (50.4 Gy).
• Eribulin was administered over three 21-day cycles, with surgery following 3-10 weeks after chemoradiation completion.

Main Results:

• The recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) was established at eribulin 1.4 mg/m² and IMRT 50.4 Gy.
• The treatment demonstrated a manageable safety profile with dose-limiting toxicities observed in 2 of 9 patients at the escalated dose.
• Median recurrence-free survival was 30.4 months and median overall survival was 54.1 months.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative chemoradiation using eribulin and IMRT exhibits a manageable safety profile for resectable RPLPS.
• This combined approach shows promise and warrants further prospective evaluation in clinical trials.
• The study established an RP2D for future investigations into this treatment strategy.