Clinical Benefit of Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin and High Prevalence of Pre-Existing Psychiatric Conditions in Patients with Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis

Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF) is a non-metastatic tumor composed of myofibroblasts that can cause local invasion and significant morbidity. Most cases are associated with a mutation in the CTNNB1 gene, which encodes beta-catenin. Various treatments for DTF have been used with differing efficacy and toxicity profiles. At our institution, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is the preferred treatment for DTF patients. A retrospective review of 61 patients (41 women, 19 men) from 2000 to 2023 showed that 26 patients were treated with PLD. Of 23 patients who had follow-up data, 21 had a clinical benefit, and only 1 progressed. Common toxicities included hand-foot syndrome (HFS), which was managed by dose adjustments. Other treatments such as methotrexate and sorafenib were also used in our cohort. Notably, many patients had a history of psychiatric conditions, obesity, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Overall, PLD is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for DTF. The high incidence of pre-existing psychiatric disorders warrants further investigation.