Ascorbate for Sarcoma
This study is evaluating whether a drug called pembrolizumab may help treat sarcoma.
See full descriptionAbout the trial for Sarcoma
Treatment Groups
This trial involves 2 different treatments. Ascorbate is the primary treatment being studied. Participants will all receive the same treatment. There is no placebo group. The treatments being tested are in Phase < 1 and are in the first stage of evaluation with people.
Eligibility
This trial is for patients born any sex aged 18 and older. There are 8 eligibility criteria to participate in this trial as listed below.
Approximate Timelines
Measurement Requirements
This trial is evaluating whether Ascorbate will improve 1 primary outcome and 3 secondary outcomes in patients with Sarcoma. Measurement will happen over the course of 12 weeks post-treatment.
Patient Q & A Section
How many people get sarcoma a year in the United States?
There is approximately 1.3 million new cases of leukaemia and 1.4 million new cases of soft-tissue sarcoma per year in the United States. Soft-tissue sarcomas are the most common primary cancer in patients under 30 years of age.
What is sarcoma?
A sarcoma is a malignancy that arises in the connective tissues. The most common form is soft tissue sarcoma and the less common forms include mesenchymal tumors that affect the limbs. Sarcomas can be categorized into soft tissue sarcomas and germ cell tumors which originate from the gonads. The most common subtype of soft tissue sarcoma is liposarcoma. Mesenchymal tumors of the soft tissue that affect the limbs and muscles include Ewing sarcoma, GIST, and synovial sarcoma.
What are common treatments for sarcoma?
Most sarcomiogenic tumor cells are sensitive to chemotherapy. Radiation can be used to shrink solid tumors. Local chemotherapy may be of limited efficacy in sarcomas. Local chemotherapy may have value with inoperable or incurable sarcomas. Targeted therapy is available now in the United States for metastatic sarcoma. Targeted treatment includes the use of imatinib in the treatment of gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers.\n
What are the signs of sarcoma?
There is no single sign of sarcoma; therefore, a thorough history and physical examination to look for any potentially visible sign of an tumour is recommended. The physical examination must be supplemented with an appropriate imaging review. When an tumour seems potentially visible, a biopsy is often indicated to exclude a sarcoma.
Can sarcoma be cured?
Current research in sarcoma suggests that it might be possible to devise effective means of eradicating cancer cells with the use of immune-mediated cytotoxic agents.
What are the latest developments in ascorbate for therapeutic use?
Currently ascorbic acid has not been shown to be an effective treatment. A possible explanation for this discrepancy is that people with a severe disease, such as that of chronic neutropenia have little in their diets that stimulates ascorbic acid synthesis as they lack neutrophils. To date, there have been four published studies on ascorbic acid and neoplastic conditions; three showed a positive effect while one showed none. This indicates that ascorbic acid supplementation may be unnecessary in those patients already receiving ascorbic acid.
Have there been any new discoveries for treating sarcoma?
The last five years have ushered in a new era in which new drugs and therapeutics are being developed, and they may eventually become more easily accessible, so we may one day be able to offer treatment for sarcoma. But as Dr. Segev states, it will be “one long, hard road,” until then - until it gets a little bit better. Still, there are new developments in the area from the discovery of new drugs, like cilengitide, as well as biologics, like cetuximab. It may not necessarily mean that the next breakthrough is coming soon, but it can signify that sarcoma will get better treatment.
What is the average age someone gets sarcoma?
The average age the patients diagnosed was 41 years. Patients diagnosed earlier than 39 years of age are more likely to have a more aggressive form of the disease. If sarcoma is found on a patient who's <40 years of age and has no family history, a more aggressive type is more likely.
Have there been other clinical trials involving ascorbate?
No placebo controlled trials exist to assess its long-term effects in children with cancer. Studies in rats have shown the efficacy of oral ascorbyl phosphate. There is no indication of harmful health effects of ascorbate in children with cancer and their parents. The most important point is the requirement for dose adjustment of ascorbate and its potential role as an adjuvant treatment with standard treatments. Further investigations are needed.
What is the survival rate for sarcoma?
In the majority of sarcomas, the tumor can be eliminated surgically and hence the prognosis is excellent except for a few sarcomas like Ewing's sarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma which are often associated with a higher risk of relapse and hence prognosis is more guarded.\n\nSarcoma is one of the ten most common cancers worldwide. Sarcoma is the second most common cancer in the UK.