Abstract:
Objective Desmoid tumor is a borderline tumor that easily recrudesces but never metastasizes. Systemic therapy is recommended for unresectable desmoid tumor. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of liposomal doxorubicin plus dacarbazine for unresectable desmoid tumor.
Method Thirty-five patients with unresectable desmoid tumor were treated at Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute from January 2015 to December 2019. Eleven of them were male and 24 were female. The onset age was 3−53 yrs, and the average age was 27.5 yrs. Tumor sizes were as follows: six T2 (5−10 cm), eleven T3 (10−15 cm), and twelve T4 (>15 cm); six had multiple foci, no T1 (<5 cm). All patients received chemotherapy with liposomal doxorubicin plus dacarbazine. Imaging evaluation was conducted every 2 cycles. The treatment plan was from 6 to 12 cycles.
Results At first follow-up, 10 cases with partial response (PR), 24 cases with stable disease (SD), and 1 case with progressive disease (PD) were observed. The objective response rate (ORR) was 28.6%, disease control rate (DCR) was 97.1%, and progression-free survival (PFS) was from 2−50 months: the median and average PFS were 13 and 14.4 months, respectively. The PFS of 23 patients who completed the planned chemotherapy was over 12 months. In five cases, ongoing shrinkage of the tumor was observed after treatment completion.
Conclusions Liposomal doxorubicin plus dacarbazine is a safe option for local control of unresectable desmoid tumor.