CompletedPhase IIIInterventional

Euro Ewing 2012

Ewing's sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that grows in bones or nearby soft tissues. It mostly affects children, teenagers, and young adults. The Euro Ewing 2012 trial aims to find the most effective chemotherapy treatment for people who have just been diagnosed with this condition. Standard care usually involves chemotherapy to shrink the tumour, followed by surgery or radiotherapy, and then more chemotherapy. In this study, doctors are comparing different mixtures of standard chemotherapy medicines to see if a newer treatment schedule works better than the current European standard. Some patients may also receive a bone-strengthening medicine called zoledronic acid. The goal is to help doctors learn which treatment gives patients the highest chance of long-term recovery. The study is open to patients aged between 2 and 49 years old who have not yet started chemotherapy.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Phase

Phase III

Sponsor

University of Birmingham (UK)

Enrolment target

600

Start

20 Dec 2013

Estimated completion

30 Apr 2019

Ewing's sarcoma

What is this study about?

Ewing's sarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in bone or soft tissue. It is most commonly diagnosed in young people. Standard treatment uses strong medicines called chemotherapy to attack the cancer cells, alongside surgery or radiotherapy to remove or destroy the main tumour. While treatments have improved over the years, doctors are still searching for ways to improve survival and reduce side effects.

The Euro Ewing 2012 trial was designed to find the best chemotherapy combination for newly diagnosed patients. Doctors want to compare the standard European chemotherapy plan against an intensive approach that has shown promising results in other clinical studies. The trial tests several well-known cancer medicines, including vincristine, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide.

The study also looks at whether adding a bone-strengthening medicine called zoledronic acid can help stop the cancer from returning in patients whose tumour has not spread. Because this is a randomised trial, a computer decides by chance which treatment combination each patient receives, ensuring the comparison is completely fair.

Finding the right balance of medicines is vital. The results of this study will help doctors understand which treatment plan offers the best chance of curing Ewing's sarcoma, shaping cancer care for children and young adults across the UK and internationally.

Key takeaways

Euro Ewing 2012 compares different chemotherapy plans for newly diagnosed Ewing's sarcoma.
The study is open to patients aged between 2 and 49 years old.
It aims to find out which drug combination cures the cancer best with the fewest side effects.
Treatment usually lasts about 10 to 12 months and includes chemotherapy, scans, and surgery or radiotherapy.
Taking part is completely voluntary and you are free to leave the study at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to children, teenagers, and adults aged between 2 and 49 years old who have just been diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma of the bone or soft tissue. The cancer must either be in one area only (localised) or have spread only to the lungs.

To take part, participants must be medically fit for intensive chemotherapy and must not have received any previous cancer treatment, other than the initial biopsy or surgery to diagnose or remove the tumour. Patients also need to join the study within 45 days of their diagnostic biopsy.

Because chemotherapy drugs can harm an unborn baby, female patients who could become pregnant must have a negative pregnancy test before starting. Both male and female participants must agree to use reliable contraception during treatment and for a set period of time after treatment finishes.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Newly diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma of the bone or soft tissue
Aged between 2 and 49 years old
Have not yet received chemotherapy or radiotherapy for this tumour
Tumour is localised or has only spread to the lungs
Biopsy or initial surgery took place within the last 45 days

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part involves having courses of chemotherapy given through a drip into a vein, which usually requires regular hospital stays over a period of 10 to 12 months. Throughout the trial, you will have regular blood tests, heart checks, and imaging scans (such as MRI or CT scans) to see how the tumour is responding and ensure you stay safe. Most patients also have surgery, radiotherapy, or both midway through their chemotherapy to treat the primary tumour. Once all treatments are finished, you will attend regular hospital follow-up appointments for several years so the medical team can monitor your recovery and long-term health.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part may give you access to a chemotherapy schedule that could be more effective at treating your cancer, and your health will be very closely monitored by a specialist team. However, chemotherapy can cause notable side effects, including sickness, hair loss, tiredness, sore mouth, an increased risk of infections, and possible long-term effects on heart health or fertility. Joining the trial is entirely voluntary. You can choose to stop taking part at any time without giving a reason, and your standard NHS care will not be affected.

Locations (1)

Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Approximate
Manchester, England

Common questions

Can I choose which chemotherapy combination I receive?

No. A computer places you into a treatment group by chance. This random process is the fairest way to compare the treatments accurately.

Is this trial only for young children?

No. Although Ewing's sarcoma is most common in young people, the study accepts patients from age 2 up to 49 years old.

Will I still need surgery or radiotherapy?

Yes. Most patients still have surgery, radiotherapy, or both to treat the main tumour after the first round of chemotherapy.

What happens if the side effects become too severe?

Your hospital team watches you closely. If side effects become too difficult, doctors can lower the medicine dose, delay treatment, or switch your care.

Does taking part in this study cost anything?

No. All study drugs, medical scans, and specialist care are provided free of charge through the NHS.

How to find out more

Bernadette Brennan

Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.