Abstract:
Objective This study aims to investigate the clinical effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) combined with gemcitabine and docetaxel on the treatment of osteosarcoma pulmonary metastasis.
Methods Data on 26 osteosarcoma patients suffering from lung metastasis and exhibiting drug resistance to first-line chemotherapy were collected. The patients consisted of 14 males and 12 females. The ages ranged from 11 years to 62 years, with a mean age of 31.2 years. The patients received As2O3 (dose: 10 mg/d, Day 1 to Day 28) combined with gemcitabine (dose: 675 mg/m2, Days 1 and 8) and docetaxel (dose: 75 mg/m2, Day 8). This therapy was repeated every 3 weeks.
Results Patients who received chemotherapy showed an overall efficiency of 76.9% (complete response + partial response + stable disease). After a median follow-up of 28.2 months (48 months), the median overall survival time was calculated at 16.7 months 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.561 to 18.058, and the median progression-free survival was 10.3 months (95%CI 6.541 to 8.754). The 24- and 48-month survival rates reached 38.4% and 15.4%, respectively. Most commonly observed adverse reactions include myelosuppression, cardiotoxicity, digestive reactions, as well as liver and kidney damage. The patients' conditions were apparently relieved after symptomatic treatments.
Conclusion mhe combination of As2O3 with gemcitabine and docetaxel as second-line chemotherapeutic drugs for osteosarcoma cases with pulmonary metastasis exhibited satisfactory clinical short-term effects. These drugs were well tolerated.