Chemotherapy of patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma with use of DVA (vindesine sulfate), adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (DAC).

Thirty-four patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma were treated with a three-drug combination including vindesine sulfate (DVA), Adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide (DAC) (S9). Thirty-one patients are evaluable of whom 23 were previously untreated. Among the latter group there were six complete responses (26%) and five partial responses (22%), for a major response rate of 48%. No major responses were seen in the eight previously treated patients. The median duration of responses was 8 months. Leukopenia and peripheral neuropathy were the major complications of treatment. Gastrointestinal toxicity was mild. Adriamycin cardiotoxicity was seen in two patients. Although the overall response rate to DAC is comparable to that of other combinations, it may offer the advantages of an increased complete response rate and less gastrointestinal toxicity.