Results from the Euro Ewing 2012 clinical trial have redefined UK treatment for Ewing sarcoma after finding a more effective standard of chemotherapy.
The trial, which began recruiting patients in 2014 and completed in 2019, aimed to establish a single standard of chemotherapy for Ewing sarcoma at an international level. The trial compared the chemotherapy regimens used in Europe and other countries (like the USA), to determine which one was more effective and/or resulted in fewer side effects.
In total, 640 patients were recruited from 10 European countries, including the UK. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 different treatments:
- Arm A - the standard European treatment - VIDE induction chemotherapy and a combination of VAI, VAC or BuMel consolidation chemotherapy
- Arm B - an established chemotherapy regimen used in other countries - VDC/IE induction chemotherapy and IE/VC or VAI/BuMel consolidation chemotherapy
Results found that Arm B (VDC/IE chemotherapy) demonstrated improved outcome and reduced side effects for patients.
Standard treatment for Ewing sarcoma in the UK has not changed for decades, until now. VDC/IE will become the new standard of chemotherapy treatment for Ewing sarcoma patients in the UK moving forward.
Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Bone Cancer Research Trust Trustee, Professor Bernadette Brennon, said:
For the first time in over 10 years of Ewing sarcoma trials, EE2012 showed the survival of patients was better in the experimental arm B VDC/IE. This is now the standard of care for all Ewing sarcoma patients internationally and will be the new backbone chemotherapy for the next international trial.
Dr Zoe Davison, Head of Research, Information & Support at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, said:
This project is evidence that research and collaboration can improve outcomes for patients. This is the first major change in treatment for bone cancer patients in the UK for decades and we welcome the positive benefits it will bring.
On behalf of all the future patients who will face this disease, we would like to personally thank all the patients that took part in the trial, you’ve made such a massive difference to so many lives.