Experimental combo shows promise for rare sarcomas

This early-phase study tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy (gemcitabine) is safe for people with two rare types of soft tissue sarcoma (leiomyosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma). Twenty-five adults with advanced or inoperable disease received the combination in a dose-escalation design. The main goal was to find the safest dose and check for early signs that the tumors shrink or stop growing.