High-dose epirubicin in patients with advanced or recurrent uterine sarcoma

Twenty patients with advanced or recurrent uterine sarcoma who had not received prior chemotherapy, were treated with epirubicin 120 mg m(-2) intravenously every 3 weeks. Four patients (20%) achieved complete response (pathologically confirmed in three cases) and three (15%) achieved partial response. The overall response rate was 35% (95% CI: 15-59). no response was observed for pelvic lesions in previously irradiated areas. Three patients (15%) exhibited stable disease, while 10 (50%) had progressive disease. The median number of courses was six in responders and two in non-responders. The median survival was 48 months (range 19-50+ months) in responders and 6 months (range 2-18 months) in non-responders. Adverse effects consisted primarily of myelosuppression, nausea and vomiting. No patients experienced life-threatening toxicity. High-dose epirubicin appears to be active in patients with advanced or recurrent uterine sarcoma.