Identification of low-risk tumours in histological high-grade soft tissue sarcomas

Real-world evidence on perioperative chemotherapy in localized soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and trunk wall; a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Data from the real-world setting on perioperative chemotherapy in high-risk, localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is limited. Real-world data (RWD) includes data derived from patients treated outside clinical trials and often captures long-term follow-up not recorded in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to provide population-based, real-world evidence on perioperative chemotherapy in localized STS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Adult patients with localized STS in the extremities or trunk wall treated at Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway from 1998 to 2017 were included in the study. Data were extracted from a prospectively maintained database, supplemented by retrospective review of medical records.

RESULTS

The total study cohort included 806 patients, of whom 154 (19%) received perioperative chemotherapy. A regimen with anthracycline and ifosfamide was given in 141 of 154 cases (92%). During long-term follow-up two patients developed secondary malignancies, cardiac toxicity was registered in 11 patients (7%) and renal toxicity in 12 patients (8%). Seventy-one of 154 patients (46%) were treated outside of clinical trials and constituted the RWD cohort. The median age at surgery was slightly lower and there were more synovial sarcomas and fewer myxofibrosarcomas in the RWD cohort. No difference in chemotherapy dose intensity was observed. The estimated 5-year metastasis-free survival (MFS) in all patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy was 58%. In the RWD cohort 5-year MFS was 53% and in the clinical study cohort 61% (HR 1.24; 95% CI 0.77-2.00).

CONCLUSION

Long-term outcome after perioperative chemotherapy was comparable for patients treated in routine clinical practice to those in clinical trials. Secondary malignancy and cardiac toxicity were observed. The risk of serious late side effects should be included in the decision process on perioperative chemotherapy.

Surgical treatment and long-term outcomes of low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma: a single-center case series of 15 patients

Background

Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) is a poorly studied, rare, soft tissue sarcoma. LGMS is characterized by a low malignancy potential, tendency for local recurrence, and low likelihood of distant metastases. However, no studies have reported on the surgical treatment method and its long-term outcomes.

Methods

We included all patients treated for LGMS at our institution between March 2010 and March 2021. Medical charts were retrospectively reviewed to collect demographic information, as well as information about the clinical course, tumor characteristics, and outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the recurrence rate.

Results

Fifteen patients who underwent surgical treatment were enrolled in this study. There were seven cases in the upper extremities, four in the trunk area, three in the lower extremities, and one in the head and neck area. There were no metastatic cases and two cases of local recurrence.

Conclusions

The incidence of LGMS in the extremities or trunk may be higher than expected based on the current literature. Univariate analysis showed that local tissue invasion and surgical method could be associated with local recurrence. Although further large studies are needed to establish risk factors of local recurrence or extent of resection margins, based on our study, wide local excision under the proper diagnosis is the most important treatment.

Gene expression profiles for an immunoscore model in bone and soft tissue sarcoma

Background: Immune infiltration is a prognostic marker to clinical outcomes in various solid tumors. However, reports that focus on bone and soft tissue sarcoma are rare. The study aimed to analyze and identify how immune components influence prognosis and develop a novel prognostic system for sarcomas.

Methods: We retrieved the gene expression data from 3 online databases (GEO, TCGA, and TARGET). The immune fraction was estimated using the CIBERSORT algorithm. After that, we re-clustered samples by K-means and constructed immunoscore by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model. Next, to confirm the prognostic value, nomograms were constructed.

Results: 334 samples diagnosed with 8 tumor types (including osteosarcoma) were involved in our analysis. Patients were next re-clustered into three subgroups (OS, SAR1, and SAR2) through immune composition. Survival analysis showed a significant difference between the two soft tissue groups: patients with a higher proportion of CD8+ T cells, macrophages M1, and mast cells had favorable outcomes (p=0.0018). Immunoscore models were successfully established in OS and SAR2 groups consisting of 12 and 9 cell fractions, respectively. We found immunosocre was an independent factor for overall survival time. Patients with higher immunoscore had poor prognosis (p<0.0001). Patients with metastatic lesions scored higher than those counterparts with localized tumors (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Immune fractions could be a useful tool for the classification and prognosis of bone and soft tissue sarcoma patients. This proposed immunoscore showed a promising impact on survival prediction.

A novel risk score to predict early and late recurrence in solitary fibrous tumour

AIMS

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms with recurrence rates of 10-30%. Current risk stratification systems for extrameningeal SFTs are based on cohorts with limited follow-up and are not suitable for prediction of late recurrences. In this study we aimed to develop a prognostic model accounting for both early and late recurrences using a relatively large patient cohort with long-term follow-up.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Clinicopathological factors were analysed in a cohort of 100 extrameningeal, STAT6-positive SFTs. Median follow-up for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free interval (RFi) were 121 and 84 months, respectively. Disease relapse occurred in 31% of patients and median time to recurrence was 63 months. In univariate analysis mitotic count, necrosis, male gender and presence of severe atypia and pleomorphism were associated with inferior RFi. Mitotic count, necrosis and male gender were independent predictors of recurrence in multivariate analysis. Previously published risk models were also statistically associated with RFi in our cohort, but failed to reliably identify low-risk patients due to poor prediction of late recurrences. A novel risk score based on mitotic count, necrosis and gender was able to stratify patients into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups for both early and late recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of patients with extrameningeal SFT and long-term follow-up mitotic count, necrosis and gender were independent prognostic markers of recurrence. We propose a novel risk score based on these factors and accounting for late recurrences, which should be validated in external cohorts with sufficient follow-up time.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy in veterinary cancer treatment: a review

Multi-modality treatment strategies are more becoming commonplace in veterinary oncology practice yet the evidence base is far inferior to what has been generated in people. Surgery is unquestionably the cornerstone of most solid tumour treatment plans but certain scenarios dictate combining surgery with systemic chemotherapy and radiation therapy as an adjunct. By using these in the neoadjuvant setting, one can leverage certain effects of the treatment to improve local disease control, improve overall survival, gain insight into drug efficacy, reduce surgical morbidity and reduce long-term complications. An unintended consequence of combining therapies is an increased flow of information between members of the care team upfront that in almost all cases leads to improved patient outcomes albeit a difficult metric to quantify. This review sets out to explore some of the principles of neoadjuvant therapies and discuss potential opportunities to expand the evidence base in veterinary medicine.

Is Microscopic Vascular Invasion in Tumor Specimens Associated with Worse Prognosis in Patients with High-grade Localized Osteosarcoma?

BACKGROUND

Other than metastases at diagnosis and histological response to preoperative chemotherapy, there are few reliable predictors of survival in patients with osteosarcoma. Microscopic vascular invasion (MVI) has been identified in the resection specimens of patients with osteosarcoma. However, it is unknown whether the MVI in resected specimens is associated with worse overall survival and higher cumulative incidence of local recurrence or metastasis in a large cohort of patients younger than 40 years with high-grade localized osteosarcoma.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) Is MVI associated with worse overall survival and higher cumulative incidence of events (local recurrence or metastasis) in patients younger than 40 years with high-grade localized osteosarcoma? (2) What clinical characteristics are associated with MVI in patients with high-grade localized osteosarcoma?

METHODS

A total of 625 patients younger than 40 years with primary high-grade osteosarcoma between 1997 and 2016 were identified in our oncology database. We included patients younger than 40 years with primary high-grade osteosarcoma who underwent definitive surgery and preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy. The minimum follow-up period was 2 years after treatment. Patients with the following were excluded: metastasis at initial presentation (21%, n = 133), progression with preoperative chemotherapy precluding definitive surgery (6%, n = 38), surgery at another unit (2%, n = 13), lost to follow-up before 2 years but not known to have died (3%, n = 18), and death related to complications of preoperative chemotherapy (1%, n = 4). A retrospective pathologic and record review was conducted in the remaining 419 patients. The median follow-up period was 5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 3 to 9 years). The overall survival of the entire group (n = 419) was 67% [95% CI 63 to 72] at 5 years. Of the 419 patients, 10% (41) had MVI in their resection specimens. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival. The cumulative incidence of events captured the first event of either metastasis or local recurrence. This analysis was completed with a competing risk framework: deaths without evidence of local recurrence or metastasis were regarded as a competing event. Clinical and histological variables (sex, age, tumor site, tumor largest dimension, surgical margin, chemotherapy-induced necrosis, type of surgery, histologic type of tumor, type of chemotherapy regimen, pathologic fracture, and MVI) were evaluated using the log-rank test or Gray test in the univariate analyses and Cox proportional hazard model or Fine and Gray model in the multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

After adjusting for other factors, multivariate analyses showed that the presence of MVI in resection specimens was associated with worse overall survival and higher cumulative incidence of event (hazard ratio 1.88 [95% CI 1.22 to 2.89]; p = 0.004 and HR 2.33 [95% CI 1.56 to 3.49]; p < 0.001, respectively). A subgroup analysis demonstrated that the relationship between MVI and survival applied only to patients with a poor response to chemotherapy (less than 90% necrosis; overall survival at 5 years, MVI [+] = 24% [95% CI 11 to 39] versus MVI [-] = 60% [95% CI 52 to 66]; p < 0.001 and cumulative incidence of events at 5 years, MVI [+] = 86% [95% CI 68 to 94] versus MVI [-] = 54% [95% CI 46 to 61]; p < 0.001). The MVI (+) group had a higher proportion of patients with a poor response to chemotherapy (85% [35 of 41] versus 53% [201 of 378]; p < 0.001), involved margins (15% [6 of 41] versus 5% [18 of 378]; p = 0.021), and limb-ablative surgery (37% [15 of 41] versus 21% [79 of 378]; p = 0.022) than the MVI (-) group did.

CONCLUSIONS

MVI is associated with lower overall survival and higher cumulative incidence of local recurrence or metastasis, especially in patients with a poor histologic response to preoperative chemotherapy. Future studies in patients treated for osteosarcoma should consider this observation when planning new trials.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Adjuvant chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy in high-risk soft tissue sarcoma patients defined by biological risk factors-A Scandinavian Sarcoma Group study (SSG XX)

PURPOSE

To investigate the outcome following adjuvant doxorubicin and ifosfamide in a prospective non-randomised study based on a soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patient subgroup defined by specific morphological characteristics previously shown to be at a high-risk of metastatic relapse. The expected 5-year cumulative incidence of metastases in patients with this risk profile has previously been reported to be about 50% without adjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODS

High-risk STS was defined as high-grade morphology (according to the Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer [FNCLCC] grade II-III) and either vascular invasion or at least two of the following criteria: tumour size ≥8.0 cm, infiltrative growth and necrosis. Six cycles of doxorubicin (60 mg/m²) and ifosfamide (6 g/m²) were given. Postoperative accelerated radiotherapy was applied and scheduled between cycles 3 and 4.

RESULTS

For the 150 eligible patients, median follow-up time for metastases-free survival was 3.9 years (range 0.2-8.7). Five-year metastases-free survival (MFS) was 70.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 63.1-78.4) with a local recurrence rate of 14.0% (95% CI: 7.8-20.2). For overall survival (OS), the median follow-up time was 4.4 years (range: 0.2-8.7). The five-year OS was 76.1% (95% CI: 68.8-84.2). Tumour size, deep location and reduced dose intensity (<80%) had a negative impact on survival. Toxicity was moderate with no treatment-related death.

CONCLUSIONS

A benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy, compared to similar historical control groups, was demonstrated in STS patients with defined poor prognostic factors. Vascular invasion, tumour size, growth pattern and necrosis may identify patients in need of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Can Being a Dog's Best Friend Help a Child?

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) remain a therapeutic challenge for pediatric and adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients. Still today, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy remain the mainstay of treatment. Obstacles in developing new treatment approaches to improve the outcome are: few patients to enroll in clinical trials, and the diversity of tumor biology between histologic subtypes. Pet dogs may offer an additional strategy to discover and test new therapeutic avenues. The number of dogs diagnosed with a STS each year in the United States is estimated to be around 27,000 to 95,000. In comparison, approximately 900 children less than 20 years old and 1,500 AYAs between 15 and 29 years old are diagnosed with a STS each year in the United States. The mainstay for treatment of STSs in dogs is also surgery, with radiation therapy and chemotherapy when necessary. Similar to what is seen in humans, grade and stage are prognostic in dogs. In one comparative study of the histology and immunohistochemistry of canine STSs, most tumors were diagnosed as the human equivalent of undifferentiated sarcoma, spindle cell sarcoma, or unclassified spindle cell sarcoma. But much work remains to be done to fully assess the validity of canine STSs as a model. Gene expression analysis has been done in a limited number of canine STSs. Tissue banking, development of cell lines, and the ability to mobilize large-scale clinical trials will become essential in veterinary medicine to benefit both dogs and humans.

The width of resection margins influences local recurrence in soft tissue sarcoma patients

BACKGROUND

Patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) being treated following the standardized guidelines can still not be guaranteed to remain free from local recurrence (LR). A complete tumour resection has been accepted as a major prognostic factor for LR. This retrospective study was designed to analyse the influence of two different classifications of resection margins (R-classification and UICC-classification) on LR in STS patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 411 patients treated at our institution for STS, 265 were eligible for statistical analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models were used to assess the impact of an R0 resection according to the R-classification (resection margin clear but allowing <1 mm) and according to the UICC-classification (minimal resection margin ≥1 mm) on LR.

RESULTS

Survival curves showed a lower LR rate for R0 resections in the UICC-classification, namely 1.3%, 12% and 12% as compared to 2.1%, 9.5% and 16.5% for the R-classification. In multivariate analysis calculated separately for each classification, R1 resection as defined by the R-classification (HR: 11.214; 95%CI: 2.394-52.517; p = 0.002) as well as by UICC-classification (HR: 15.634; 95%CI: 2.493-98.029; p = 0.003) remained significant.

CONCLUSION

In our study, margin status according to both classifications represents an independent prognostic factor for LR in patients with STS following curative surgery. Local control rates were superior after a minimal resection margin of 1 mm (R0 by UICC-classification) compared to R0 resections after the R-classification.

Systems biology of cancer: entropy, disorder, and selection-driven evolution to independence, invasion and "swarm intelligence"

Our knowledge of the biology of solid cancer has greatly progressed during the last few years, and many excellent reviews dealing with the various aspects of this biology have appeared. In the present review, we attempt to bring together these subjects in a general systems biology narrative. It starts from the roles of what we term entropy of signaling and noise in the initial oncogenic events, to the first major transition of tumorigenesis: the independence of the tumor cell and the switch in its physiology, i.e., from subservience to the organism to its own independent Darwinian evolution. The development after independence involves a constant dynamic reprogramming of the cells and the emergence of a sort of collective intelligence leading to invasion and metastasis and seldom to the ultimate acquisition of immortality through inter-individual infection. At each step, the probability of success is minimal to infinitesimal, but the number of cells possibly involved and the time scale account for the relatively high occurrence of tumorigenesis and metastasis in multicellular organisms.

Critical study of resection margins in adult soft-tissue sarcoma surgery

INTRODUCTION

Resection margins constitute a recognized risk factor for local recurrence, but their impact on survival is less clear.

HYPOTHESIS

Infiltrative proliferation and satellite nodules are prognostic factors for local and systemic aggressiveness.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective cohort study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In 105 patients under curative treatment, resection quality was assessed on UICC criteria (R0/R1) and on a modified version (R0M/R1M) taking account of proliferation contours and satellite nodules for narrow margins (<1mm). Uni- and multi-variate analysis was performed, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared on log-rank.

RESULTS

Mean 5-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) was 0.64 [0.52-0.76] after R1 surgery, 0.9 [0.85-0.95] after R0, 0.64 [0.519-0.751] after R1M and 0.92 [0.87-0.96] after R0M. Resection type according to R classification correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) (P=0.028), but not with metastasis-free survival (MFS) (P=0.156). Resection type according to RM classification correlated with DFS and MFS. Multivariate analysis disclosed correlations between LRFS rate and RM resection type (HR 6.77 [1.78-25.7], P=0.005), DFS rate and RM resection type (HR 2.83 [1.47-5.43], P=0.001) and grade (HR=3.17 [1.38-7.27], P=0.003), and MFS and grade (HR=3.96 [1.50-10.5], P=0.006).

DISCUSSION

The microscopic aspect of the proliferation contours and presence of satellite nodules were confirmed as prognostic factors for local and systemic aggressiveness. They impact both disease-free survival and metastasis-free survival in case of margins less than 1mm. Their systematic consideration may help identify patients with elevated systemic risk.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.