Autologous stem cell transplantation in adults with metastatic sarcoma of the Ewing family: a single centre experience

Adults with metastatic Ewing family sarcomas (ES) after being treated with standard therapy for localised disease have limited treatment options with curative intent. The aim of this retrospective single centre study was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in this patient population. We report on seven consecutive patients with ES. Four patients with initial localised disease developed distant metastases after being treated with initial standard pre-operative chemotherapy followed by surgery and subsequent standard post-operative chemotherapy. Three patients with initial metastatic disease were pre-treated with standard polychemotherapy. All patients received high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by ASCT for metastatic disease. For patients with initial metastatic disease, partial remission (PR) was achieved in three patients prior to HDCT. Type of response subsequent to ASCT was complete response (CR) in four patientswith initial localised disease and CR in two patients with initial metastatic disease. No patient died within the first 100 days after HDCT. Side effects were rare and manageable. This retrospective analysis suggests that ASCT may be considered in patients with metastatic ES, previously treated with standard therapy.