Dr. Tap on Olaratumab/Doxorubicin Combination in Soft Tissue Sarcomas

William Tap, MD, Medical Oncologist, Chief, Sarcoma Medical Oncology Service Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discusses the benefits of a olaratumab and doxorubicin combination treatment for advanced soft tissue sarcomas.

Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare and heterogeneous group of malignancies where there have not been tremendous advances, says Tap. In a randomized phase Ib/II study olaratumab, a human anti-platelet-derived growth factor α (PDGFRα) monoclonal antibody, was evaluated with or without doxorubicin. The results were significant, says Tap, with the combination showing a 10-month improvement in overall survival compared to doxorubicin alone in soft tissue sarcoma patients.

Based on these results, olaratumab received breakthrough designation status from the FDA and a large phase III study will now be conducted, says Tap.