Interferon-gamma signature as prognostic and predictive marker in macroscopic stage III melanoma

BACKGROUND

A substantial proportion of patients with macroscopic stage III melanoma do not benefit sufficiently from adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy, as they either recur despite therapy or would never have recurred. To better inform adjuvant treatment selection, we have performed translational analyses to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two cohorts of patients with macroscopic stage III melanoma from an ongoing biobank study were included. Clinical data were compared between an observation cohort (cohort 1) and an adjuvant intention cohort (cohort 2). RNA sequencing for translational analyses was performed and treatment subgroups (cohort 1A and cohort 2A) were compared for possible biomarkers, using a cut-off based on the treatment-naïve patients. In addition, two validation cohorts (Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMCU)) were obtained.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 26 months of the 98 patients in our discovery set, median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was significantly longer for the adjuvant intention cohort (cohort 2, n=49) versus the observation cohort (cohort 1, n=49). Median overall survival was not reached for either cohort, nor significantly different. In observation cohort 1A (n=24), RFS was significantly longer for patients with high interferon-gamma (IFNγ) score (p=0.002); for adjuvant patients of cohort 2A (n=24), a similar trend was observed (p=0.086). Patients with high B cell score had a longer RFS in cohort 1A, but no difference was seen in cohort 2A. The B cell score based on RNA correlated with CD20+ cells in tumor area but was not independent from the IFNγ score. In the MIA validation cohort (n=44), longer RFS was observed for patients with high IFNγ score compared with low IFNγ score (p=0.046), no difference in RFS was observed according to the B cell score. In both the observation (n=11) and the adjuvant (n=11) UMCU validation cohorts, no difference in RFS was seen for IFNγ and B cell.

CONCLUSIONS

IFNγ has shown to be a prognostic marker in both patients who were and were not treated with adjuvant therapy. B cell score was prognostic but did not improve accuracy over IFNγ. Our study confirmed RFS benefit of adjuvant anti-PD-1 for patients with macroscopic stage III melanoma.

Technical considerations for isolated limb perfusion: A consensus paper

BACKGROUND

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is a well-established surgical procedure for the administration of high dose chemotherapy to a limb for the treatment of advanced extremity malignancy. Although the technique of ILP was first described over 60 years ago, ILP is utilised in relatively few specialist centres, co-located with tertiary or quaternary cancer centres. The combination of high dose cytotoxic chemotherapy and the cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), mandates leakage monitoring to prevent potentially serious systemic toxicity. Since the procedure is performed at relatively few specialist centres, an ILP working group was formed with the aim of producing technical consensus guidelines for the procedure to streamline practice and to provide guidance for new centres commencing the technique.

METHODS

Between October 2021 and October 2023 a series of face to face online and hybrid meetings were held in which a modified Delphi process was used to develop a unified consensus document. After each meeting the document was modified and recirculated and then rediscussed at subsequent meeting until a greater than 90% consensus was achieved in all recommendations.

RESULTS

The completed consensus document comprised 23 topics in which greater than 90% consensus was achieved, with 83% of recommendations having 100% consensus across all members of the working group. The consensus recommendations covered all areas of the surgical procedure including pre-operative assessment, drug dosing and administration, perfusion parameters, hyperthermia, leakage monitoring and theatre logistics, practical surgical strategies and also post-operative care, response evaluation and staff training.

CONCLUSION

We present the first joint expert-based consensus statement with respect to the technical aspects of ILP that can serve as a reference point for both existing and new centres in providing ILP.

Outcome after treatment for sebaceous carcinoma: A multicenter study

Background

Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is a rare malignant tumour whereby, comprehensive long‐term data are scarce. This study aimed to assess the outcome of patients treated with resection for SC.

Methods

Patients treated at four tertiary centres were included. Cumulative incidence curves were calculated for recurrences.

Results

A total of 100 patients (57 males, 57%) were included with 103 SCs. The median age was 72 (range, 15–95) years with a median follow‐up of 52 (interquartile range [IQR], 24‐93) months. Most SCs were located (peri)ocular (49.5%). Of all SCs, 17 locally recurred (16.5%) with a median time to recurrence of 19 (IQR, 8–29) months. The cumulative incidence probability for recurrence was statistically higher for (peri)ocular tumours (p = 0.005), and for positive resection margins (p = 0.001). Two patients presented with lymph node metastases and additional seven patients (8.7%) developed lymph node metastases during follow‐up with a median time to metastases of 8 (IQR, 0.5–28) months. Three patients had concurrent in‐transit metastases and one patient also developed liver and bone metastases during follow‐up.

Conclusion

SC is a rare, yet locally aggressive tumour. Positive resection margins and (peri)ocular SCs are more frequently associated with local recurrence. SC infrequently presents with locoregional or distant metastases.

A phase II study on the neo-adjuvant combination of pazopanib and radiotherapy in patients with high-risk, localized soft tissue sarcoma

PURPOSE

A prior phase I study showed that the neo-adjuvant combination of pazopanib and radiotherapy was well tolerated, and induced promising pathological responses in soft-tissue sarcoma patients. Results of the subsequent prospective, multicenter phase II, PASART-2 trial are presented here, further investigating the efficacy and safety of this combination.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with high-risk, localized soft-tissue sarcoma received neo-adjuvant radiotherapy, 50 Gy in 25 fractions (PASART-2A) or with a subsequent dose de-escalation to 36 Gy in 18 fractions (PASART-2B). This was combined with 800 mg once daily pazopanib, which started one week before radiotherapy and finished simultaneously. After an interval of 4-8 weeks, surgical resection was performed. The primary endpoint was the rate of pathological complete responses (pCR), defined as ≤5% viable cells.

RESULTS

25 patients were registered in the study, 21 in PASART-2A and 4 in PASART-2B. After central pathology review, the combination treatment led to a pCR in 5 patients (20%). 17 patients (68%) experienced grade 3+ toxicities during neo-adjuvant treatment, of which the most common were alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation, and hypertension, all asymptomatic. Grade 3+ acute post-operative toxicities occurred in 5 patients (20%), of which the most common was wound infection. All patients completed the full radiotherapy regimen and underwent surgery. Pazopanib was discontinued before completion in 9 patients (36%), due to elevated ALT and/or AST, and shortly interrupted in 2 patients (8%), due to hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Apart from asymptomatic hepatotoxicity, the study regimen was well tolerated. Although the pre-specified efficacy endpoint (30% pCR) was not met, a more than doubling of historical pCR rates after neo-adjuvant radiotherapy alone was observed, which warrants further investigation.

Analysis of Differentiation Changes and Outcomes at Time of First Recurrence of Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma by Transatlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG)

BACKGROUND

Local recurrence following resection of retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) is common. Well-differentiated (WD) and dedifferentiated (DD) RLPS are distinct entities with differing outcomes. A few reports suggest that WDLPS can recur as DDLPS and that DDLPS can recur as WDLPS. This study evaluates whether this change in differentiation from the primary tumor to the first local recurrence impacts long-term outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective review from 22 sarcoma centers identified consecutive patients who underwent resection for a first locally recurrent RLPS from January 2002 to December 2011. Outcomes measured included overall survival, local recurrence, and distant metastasis.

RESULTS

A total of 421 RPLS patients were identified. Of the 230 patients with primary DDLPS, 34 (15%) presented WDLPS upon recurrence (DD → WD); and of the 191 patients with primary WDLPS, 54 (28%) presented DDLPS upon recurrence (WD → DD). The 6-year overall survival probabilities (95% CI) for DD → DD, DD → WD, WD → WD, and WD → DD were 40% (32-48%), 73% (58-92%), 76% (68-85%), and 56% (43-73%) (p < 0.001), respectively. The 6-year second local recurrence incidence was 66% (59-73%), 63% (48-82%), 66% (57-76%), and 77% (66-90%), respectively. The 6-year distant metastasis incidence was 13% (9-19%), 3% (0.4-22%), 5% (2-11%), and 4% (1-16%), respectively. On multivariable analysis, DD → WD was associated with improved overall survival when compared with DD → DD (p < 0.001). Moreover, WD → DD was associated with a higher risk of LR (p = 0.025) CONCLUSION: A change in RLPS differentiation from primary tumor to first local recurrence appears to impact survival. These findings may be useful in counseling patients on their prognosis and subsequent management.

Imaging response evaluation after neoadjuvant treatment in soft tissue sarcomas: Where do we stand?

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a broad family of rare tumours for which surgery with radiotherapy represents first-line treatment. Recently, neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy has been increasingly used in high-risk patients in an effort to reduce surgical morbidity and improve clinical outcomes. An adequate understanding of the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapies would optimise patient care, allowing a tailored approach. Although response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST) is the most common imaging method to assess tumour response, Choi criteria and functional and molecular imaging (DWI, DCE-MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG-PET) seem to outperform it in the discrimination between responders and non-responders. Moreover, the radiologic-pathology correlation of treatment-related changes remains poorly understood. In this review, we provide an overview of the imaging assessment of tumour response in STS undergoing neoadjuvant treatment, including conventional imaging (CT, MRI, PET) and advanced imaging analysis. Future directions will be presented to shed light on potential advances in pre-surgical imaging assessments that have clinical implications for sarcoma patients.

Postoperative Morbidity After Resection of Recurrent Retroperitoneal Sarcoma: A Report from the Transatlantic Australasian RPS Working Group (TARPSWG)

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate perioperative morbidity after surgery for first locally recurrent (LR1) retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). Data concerning the safety of resecting recurrent RPS are lacking.

METHODS

Data were collected on all patients undergoing resection of RPS-LR1 at 22 Trans-Atlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG) centers from 2002 to 2011. Uni- and multivariable logistic models were fitted to study the association between major (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3) complications and patient/surgery characteristics as well as outcome. The resected organ score, a method of standardizing the number of organs resected, as previously described by the TARPSWG, was used.

RESULTS

The 681 patients in this study had a median age of 59 years, and 51.8% were female. The most common histologic subtype was de-differentiated liposarcoma (43%), the median resected organ score was 1, and 83.3% of the patients achieved an R0 or R1 resection. Major complications occurred for 16% of the patients, and the 90-day mortality rate was 0.4%. In the multivariable analysis, a transfusion requirement was found to be a significant predictor of major complications (p < 0.001) and worse overall survival (OS) (p = 0.010). However, having a major complication was not associated with a worse OS or a higher incidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

A surgical approach to recurrent RPS is relatively safe and comparable with primary RPS in terms of complications and postoperative mortality when performed at specialized sarcoma centers. Because alternative effective therapies still are lacking, when indicated, resection of a recurrent RPS is a reasonable option. Every effort should be made to minimize the need for blood transfusions.

Primary mesenteric sarcomas: Collaborative experience from the Trans-Atlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG)

BACKGROUND

Primary mesenteric soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare and limited evidence is available to inform management. Surgical resection is challenging due to the proximity of vital structures and a need to preserve enteric function.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) for patients undergoing primary resection for mesenteric STS.

METHODS

The Trans-Atlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG) is an intercontinental collaborative comprising specialist sarcoma centers. Data were collected retrospectively for all patients with mesenteric STS undergoing primary resection between 2000 and 2019.

RESULTS

Fifty-six cases from 15 institutions were included. The spectrum of pathology was similar to the retroperitoneum, although of a higher grade. R0/R1 resection was achieved in 87%. Median OS was 56 months. OS was significantly shorter in higher-grade tumors (p = .018) and extensive resection (p < .001). No significant association between OS and resection margin or tumor size was detected. Rates of local recurrence (LR) and distant metastases (DM) at 5 years were 60% and 41%, respectively. Liver metastases were common (60%), reflecting portal drainage of the mesentery.

CONCLUSION

Primary mesenteric sarcoma is rare, with a modest survival rate. LR and DM are frequent events. Liver metastases are common, highlighting the need for surveillance imaging.

Has the Outcome for Patients Who Undergo Resection of Primary Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Changed Over Time? A Study of Time Trends During the Past 15 years

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate changes in treatment strategy and outcome for patients with primary retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) undergoing resection at referral centers during a recent period.

METHODS

The study enrolled consecutive adult patients with primary non-metastatic RPS who underwent resection with curative intent between 2002 and 2017 at 10 referral centers. The patients were grouped into three periods according to date of surgery: t1 (2002-2006), t2 (2007-2011), and t3 (2012-2017). Five-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and crude cumulative incidence (CCI) of local recurrence (LR) and distant metastasis (DM) were calculated. Multivariable analyses for OS and DSS were performed.

RESULTS

The study included 1942 patients. The median follow-up period after resection varied from 130 months (interquartile range [IQR], 124-141 months) in t1 to 37 months (IQR, 35-39 months) in t3. The 5-year OS was 61.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 56.4-66.3%) in t1, 67.0% (95 CI, 63.2-71.0%) in t2, and 71.9% (95% CI, 67.7-76.1%) in t3. The rate of macroscopically incomplete resection (R2) was 7.1% in t1 versus 4.7% in t3 (p = 0.066). The median number of resected organs increased over time (p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis resection during t3 was associated with better OS and DSS. The 90-day postoperative mortality improved over time (4.3% in t1 to 2.3% in t3; p = 0.031). The 5-year CCI of LR and DM did not change significantly over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term survival of patients who underwent resection for primary RPS has increased during the past 15 years. This increased survival is attributable to better patient selection for resection, quality of surgery, and perioperative patient management.

The Landmark Series: Multimodality Treatment of Extremity Sarcoma

Multimodality treatment of primary soft tissue sarcoma has evolved over the last 50 years, including seminal studies in amputation versus limb-sparing surgery, incorporation of radiation therapy (XRT), and the continuing controversy over the utilization and efficacy of systemic chemotherapy. We review the landmark studies in the multimodality management of primary extremity and trunk soft tissue sarcoma.

Time dependent dynamics of wound complications after preoperative radiotherapy in Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas

AIMS

The purpose of the study was to investigate the time dependent dynamics of wound complications and local control after preoperative radiotherapy (RT) in Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas (ESTS).

PATIENTS & METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, all patients treated for an extremity sarcoma with pre-operative radiotherapy followed by surgery were identified from a prospectively maintained database. A wound complication (WC) was defined as any local complication of the surgical area requiring intervention, hospital readmission or significant extension of the initial admission period.

RESULTS

A total of 191 preoperatively irradiated ESTS patients were included in this study. WC was seen in 31% of the patients (n = 60). WC started after a median time of 25 days from surgery, with a median duration of 76 days. Adiposity, smoking and a lower extremity or superficial tumor localization were significantly correlated with an increased WC rate. Risk factors for a duration of WC ≥ 120 days are early development of WC (≤21 days after surgery) and smoking. Local control rates after 1, 3 and 5 years were 99%, 93% and 93%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Approximately one-third of patients selected for preoperative RT develops a WC, typically in smoking, adipose patients with superficial tumor localizations in the lower extremity. Based upon the well-established superior long-term functional outcome, maintained excellent local control rates and the temporary nature of the WC issue, preoperative RT remains our preferred treatment. Although, in patients at high risk of WC, post-operative RT might be considered.