BO02
A randomised pilot study of two drug combinations in patients with osteosarcoma
Comparing two different drug treatments for bone cancer
What was this study about?
The BO02 trial aimed to compare the short and long-term side effects of two different chemotherapy treatments for people with bone cancer (osteosarcoma). The treatments were:
• Doxorubicin (DOX) plus cisplatin (CDDP)
• Methotrexate (HDMTX), doxorubicin and cisplatin.
It also looked at which of these two treatments might help people to live longer.
What difference did this study make?
This trial found that intensive treatment with two drugs - doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin (CDDP) - was most effective.
A brief intensive chemotherapy regimen of doxorubicin and cisplatin produced long-term results which were similar to those that had been achieved in cooperative group studies of longer, more complex, multi-agent chemotherapy. As a result of this trial, two-drug chemotherapy treatment could be offered to people with osteosarcoma.
Type of study
Randomised trial
Contact details
Who funded the study?
The Medical Research Council and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer.
When did it take place?
This trial recruited patients between 1983 and 1986. Researchers followed what happened to these patients for 5 years. The results were published in 1992.
Who was included?
198 patients with osteosarcoma took part.