Review of the clinical trials activity of the Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer

Despite the low incidence of sarcomas, the Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group has established itself as one of the more active cooperative groups of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Performing over a 10 yr period three phase III protocols (total entry 750 patients), three randomized phase II studies (464 patients), a pilot combination study (185 patients), and 12 phase II studies (406 patients). The new randomized phase III protocol for advanced soft-tissue sarcoma will provide an interesting test of the validity of the current membership policy, which has not discouraged the participation of enthusiastic new members. For extremity sarcomas, improved surgical techniques have increased the number of patients retaining functional limbs but have maintained excellent rates of local control. However, systemic metastasis remains a significant problem and presents a challenge for future adjuvant studies.