From the Guidelines
Eribulin is recommended as a treatment option for patients with advanced leiomyosarcoma or liposarcoma, with a median overall survival of 13.5 months compared to 11.5 months with dacarbazine, as shown in a phase III trial 1.
Eribulin Mechanism and Administration
Eribulin is a novel microtubule inhibiting agent that works by inhibiting microtubule dynamics, preventing cancer cells from dividing properly and ultimately causing cell death. The standard dose is 1.4 mg/m² administered intravenously over 2-5 minutes on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle.
Efficacy in Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Eribulin has shown efficacy in treating certain soft tissue sarcomas, including leiomyosarcoma, adipocytic sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and other tumor types. A phase III trial compared the survival benefit of eribulin and dacarbazine in 452 patients with advanced leiomyosarcoma or liposarcoma, revealing a median OS of 13.5 and 11.5 months, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62–0.95; P=.017) 1.
Side Effects and Monitoring
Common side effects of eribulin include neutropenia (low white blood cell count), fatigue, neuropathy (nerve damage causing numbness or tingling), nausea, and hair loss. Blood counts should be monitored regularly during treatment, and dose adjustments may be necessary for patients with liver or kidney impairment.
Comparison to Other Treatments
Other treatments for soft tissue sarcomas, such as gemcitabine and vinorelbine, have also shown activity as single agents in patients with advanced, metastatic, relapsed, or refractory disease 1. However, eribulin has shown superior overall survival compared to dacarbazine in a phase III trial, making it a recommended treatment option for patients with advanced leiomyosarcoma or liposarcoma.
- Key points to consider when prescribing eribulin include:
- Monitoring blood counts regularly during treatment
- Dose adjustments for patients with liver or kidney impairment
- Premedication with anti-nausea drugs to manage gastrointestinal side effects
- Patient education on reporting signs of infection, unusual bleeding, or severe neuropathy immediately
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Eribulin Overview
- Eribulin is a chemotherapy medication used to treat various types of cancer, including breast cancer and liposarcoma 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- It is administered intravenously and has been shown to improve overall survival in certain patient populations 2, 4
Efficacy in Breast Cancer
- Eribulin has been evaluated in several studies for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer 3, 4, 5, 6
- The medication has been shown to improve overall survival and progression-free survival in certain patient populations, including those with triple-negative breast cancer 3, 4
- However, the efficacy of eribulin can vary depending on the patient population and prior treatments received 3, 5, 6
Efficacy in Liposarcoma
- Eribulin has been approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma in patients who have received a prior anthracycline-containing regimen 2
- The medication has been shown to improve overall survival in patients with liposarcoma, with a median overall survival of 13.5 months in one study 2
Safety Profile
- The safety profile of eribulin is similar to that of other chemotherapy medications, with common adverse events including neutropenia, fatigue, and nausea 2, 4, 5
- However, eribulin has been shown to have a manageable toxicity profile, with few patients requiring treatment discontinuation due to adverse events 5