Preclinical evaluation of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel for treatment of pediatric bone sarcoma

The combination of docetaxel and gemcitabine is frequently used to treat recurrent bone sarcoma. Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) is less toxic and more active than docetaxel or paclitaxel for breast cancer patients. The combination of nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine has preclinical synergy and is approved to treat pancreatic cancer. We observed growth inhibition and improved survival with nab-paclitaxel in a Ewing sarcoma xenograft, and activity was additive with gemcitabine in an osteosarcoma model. Primary Ewing sarcoma tumors expressed the transport protein SPARC, previously associated with nab-paclitaxel activity. These findings provide rationale for further evaluation of nab-paclitaxel with gemcitabine for bone sarcoma.