Objective: To conduct a retrospective evaluation of tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (PIR)-based combination chemotherapy for osteosarcomas in comparison with doxorubicin (DOX)-based regimens to determine differences in response and toxicities between DOX- and PIR-containing regimens.
Methods: Toxicities and response rates of the 2 anthracyclines given as combination chemotherapy were assessed in patients with osteosarcoma, with 19 patients receiving PIR-based and 11 receiving DOX-based regimens.
Results: The survival of osteosarcoma patients treated with PIR was significantly better than that with DOX (p = 0.023) based on 2-year follow-up. Adverse effects such as mucositis and diarrhea were also less pronounced in the PIR cohort.
Conclusions: PIR-based combination chemotherapy might be a useful and safe chemotherapeutic strategy for osteosarcomas compared with DOX regimens. Further assessment is necessary to confirm the safety and efficacy of this treatment.