[Chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma--current concepts and review]

The role of chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma with the exception of rhabdomyosarcoma remains controversial. Several randomized trials have suggested only doxorubicin (ADR) and ifosfamide produced a single-agent response rate above 20% in advanced sarcoma. As a combination chemotherapy, the doxorubicin-based combination, ADR + DTIC (ADIC) and CYVADIC, showed a higher response rate. Ifosfamide in addition to doxorubicin (Ifos + ADR or ADIC) appeared to have major activity with a higher complication rate. The role and value of adjuvant chemotherapy have not yet been established. Most randomized studies have suggested that no survival benefit was observed in the chemotherapy group relative to the control group. Further basic and clinical investigation is necessary to obtain a better prognosis in high-grade malignant soft tissue sarcoma.