Abstract

Purpose The objective of this phase II trial was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of weekly paclitaxel for patients with metastatic or unresectable angiosarcoma. Patients and Methods Thirty patients were entered onto the study from April 2005 through October 2006. Paclitaxel was administered intravenously as a 60-minute infusion at a dose of 80 mg/m 2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 4-week cycle. The primary end point was the nonprogression rate after two cycles. Results The progression-free survival rates after 2 and 4 months were 74% and 45%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 8 months, the median time to progression was 4 months and the median overall survival was 8 months. The progression-free survival rate was similar in patients pretreated with chemotherapy and in chemotherapy-naïve patients (77% v 71%). Three patients with locally advanced breast angiosarcoma presented partial response, which enabled a secondary curative-intent surgery with complete histologic response in two cases. One toxic death occurred as a result of a thrombocytopenia episode. Six patients presented with grade 3 toxicities and one patient presented with a grade 4 toxicity. Anemia and fatigue were the most frequently reported toxicities. Conclusion Weekly paclitaxel at the dose schedule used in the current study was well tolerated and demonstrated clinical benefit.