Increased C-MYC Oncogene Expression in Ewing's Sarcoma: Correlation with Ki67 Proliferation Index

Aims and Background

Ewing's sarcoma is a highly malignant musculoskeletal tumor composed of small round cells. Although important results have been achieved with surgery associated with chemotherapy, recurrent disease is still a major problem. In order to define new prognostic factors useful for therapeutic decision-making, we conducted a study on 38 Ewing's sarcoma samples in which c-myc oncogene expression and Ki67 proliferation index were correlated with clinical outcome.

Methods and Study Design

Nineteen patients developed metastases during follow-up and 10 of these patients died. C-myc and Ki67 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry performed on 5 μm formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections, while the c-myc mRNA transcript was localized using in situ hybridization.

Results

A statistically positive correlation was found between c-myc protein and Ki67 (P = 0.001) and c-myc mRNA and Ki67 expression (P = 0.047). The 38 patients were divided into two groups using as the cutoff 50% of Ki67-positive cells. The disease-free survival and overall survival estimates were 68% and 90%, respectively, in the group of patients with a percentage of Ki67-positive cells <50%, and 25% and 50%, respectively, in the group with a percentage of Ki67-positive cells ≥50%. The difference between the survival curves was statistically significant (P <0.05 and P <0.01). Furthermore, relapsed patients had a high and uniform expression of c-myc protein and mRNA compared to disease-free patients.

Conclusion

These results suggest a possible role of the c-myc oncogene and Ki67 antigen in the malignant progression of Ewing's sarcoma.

Primary Chemotherapy and Delayed Surgery for Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone in the Extremity

Between March 1983 and September 1988, 22 patients with non-metastatic malignant fibrous histiocytoma MFH of bone of the extremities were treated with two regimens of neoadjuvant chemotherapy successively activated. Preoperatively, the patients received moderate doses of methotrexate and cisplatinum-Regimen 1- or high dose methotrexate, cisplatinum and adriamycin-Regimen 2. Cisplatinum was delivered intra-arteriously, the other drugs intravenously. Limb salvage surgery was performed in 20 patients, and 2 patients were amputated. The surgical margins were adequate (radical or wide) in 18 cases and inadequate (marginal) in 4. The histologic response to chemotherapy was good (90% or more tumor necrosis) in 8 patients. In both regimens postoperative chemotherapy was tailored according to the grade of necrosis determined by preoperative treatment on the primary tumor. At an average follow-up of 40 months (15-70), 15 patients (68%) remained continuously disease-free and 7 relapsed with metastases. No local recurrences were observed. Regimen 2 was slightly more effective than Regimen 1 in terms of good histologic response (5/10 vs 1/12) and continuous disease-free survival (8/10 vs 7/127). The results demonstrate that, as in osteosarcoma, in non-metastatic malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone in the extremities a high percentage of patients can be cured with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and that in most of them limb sparing surgery is possible and safe.

Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosfamide, Actinomycin D, Ifosfamide, and Etoposide in Adult and Pediatric Patients with Nonmetastatic Ewing Sarcoma. Final Results of a Monoinstitutional Study

Aims and background

To investigate a six-drug combination in patients with non-metastatic Ewing sarcoma, focusing on chemotherapy-induced necrosis and chemotherapy toxicity in adult and pediatric patients.

Methods and study design

Alternating cycles of vincristine (1.5 mg/m2), doxorubicin (80 mg/m2) and cyclophosfamide (1200 mg/m2) (weeks 0, 6, 13, 22a nd 31), ifosfamide (9 g/m2), vincristine (1.5 mg/m2), and actinomycin D (1.5 mg/m2) (weeks 3, 16, 25 and 34), and ifosfamide (9 g/m2) and etoposide (450 mg/m2) (weeks 9, 19, 28 and 37) were administered. Primary chemotherapy-induced necrosis was graded: G3 (complete necrosis), G2 (microfoci of tumor cells) and G1 (macrofoci of tumor cells).

Results

From 1996 to 1999, 50 patients with Ewing sarcoma were enrolled. The median age was 23.5 years (range, 4–56). Chemotherapy-induced necrosis (in 28 patients) was G3 in 36%, G2 in 21% and G1 in 43%. At a median follow-up of 110 months (range, 36–129), 5-year overall survival and event-free survival were 72% and 66%, respectively. According to histologic response, 5-year event-free survival was 90% in G3, 83% in G2, and 42% in G1 (P = 0.02). In adult and pediatric (<18 years) patients, the incidence of G4 leukopenia was 62% and 74%, respectively, with febrile neutropenia in 13% and 21%, respectively. G4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 3% of cycles in adults and in 7% in pediatric patients. Platelet and red blood cell transfusions were required respectively in 1% and 11% of cycles in adults and in 6% and 24% of cycles in pediatric patients.

Conclusions

The six-drug combination can be administered safely in adult and pediatric populations. About 40% of patients have a poor chemotherapy-induced tumor necrosis, leading to poor probability of survival. New strategies are recommended to improve survival of poor responders to the six-drug combination.

Translational research in diagnosis and management of soft tissue tumours

Finding a soft tissue mass in the superficial regions is a common event in daily clinical practice. Correct management of the diagnostic process is crucial to avoid blunders. Diagnosis is posed by pathology, although both imaging and a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms play an important a role in the characterization, staging and follow-up of soft tissue masses. Cellular and molecular mechanisms can explain either the development of chemo-resistance and the underlying pre- and post-surgery metastasis formation. These are mandatory to improve prognosis and unveil novel parameters predicting therapeutic response. Imaging mainly involves ultrasound and MR and is fundamental not only in diagnosis but also in the first step of therapy: the biopsy. Novel imaging techniques like Ultrasound Elastosonography, Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR imaging (DCE), Diffusion Weighted MR imaging (DWI) and MR Spectroscopy (MRS) are discussed. This paper aims at reviewing and discussing pathological methods and imaging in the diagnosis of soft tissue masses underscoring that the most appropriate treatment depends on advanced molecular and radiological studies.

Chemotherapy-related toxicity in patients with non-metastatic Ewing sarcoma: influence of sex and age

Influence of age and sex on chemotherapy-related toxicity was evaluated in children (3-9 years), adolescents (10-17 years), and adults (up to 40 years) with localized Ewing sarcoma (ES) enrolled in the ISG/SSG III protocol. Treatment was based on vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, dactinomycin, and etoposide. High-dose chemotherapy with busulfan and melphalan was given in poor responder patients. The analysis was based on 2191 courses of standard chemotherapy and 230 patients. A lower risk of G4 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, hospitalization, febrile neutropenia, and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions was observed in males. Use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was more frequent in adults, while children more often received RBC transfusions. A significant correlation between sex and chemotherapy-related toxicity was observed in the study, whereas no significant differences in terms of bone marrow toxicity can be expected according to patient age. Further studies should analyse the role of pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, and clinical characteristics.

A case of lung metastasis in myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma: analytical review of one hundred and thirty eight cases

PURPOSE

Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (MIFS) is a rare soft tissue tumour first identified at the end of the 1990s. This study presents our experience and literature reviews focusing on risk of recurrence.

METHODS

Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute database and literature were searched for patients with MIFS observed from 1997 to 2012. Data were analysed in a new database.

RESULTS

Five patients underwent surgery at our institute, and 133 cases were retrieved from the literature. Not all clinicopathological data were available: 76/138 were men (55%), median age was 45 [interquartile range (IQR) 34-56] years, median tumour size was three (IQR two to five) centimetres. Common sites of occurrence were hand (24%), fingers (23%) and foot (20%). Pain was present at diagnosis in 14/82 patients (17%), with a median duration of seven (IQR three to 12) months. Surgery was performed for a suspected benign tumour in 88 patients (74%). Resection was incomplete in 45/71 cases (63%); re-excision was performed in 32/45 (71%). At a median follow-up of 26 months, 26/118 patients (22%) developed recurrent disease; median time to recurrence was 15 months (IQR seven to 26). Actuarial relapse-free survival (RFS) at one, three and five years was 93%, 72% and 67%, respectively. At univariate analysis, only symptom duration of six months or less was significantly associated with a worse RFS (p = 0.046). Metastatic disease to lymph nodes and/or lungs was observed in four patients (3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicopathological findings confirm the low-grade nature of MIFS. However, local recurrence occurs, and patients may be affected by aggressive forms with a potential for distant metastases. Follow-up is strongly advised.

The role of imaging for the surgeon in primary malignant bone tumors of the chest wall

Primary malignant chest wall tumors are rare. The most frequent primary malignant tumor of the chest wall is chondrosarcoma, less common are primary bone tumors belonging to the Ewing Family Bone Tumors (EFBT), or even rarer are osteosarcomas. They represent a challenging clinical entities for surgeons as the treatment of choice for these neoplasms is surgical resection, excluding EFBT which are normally treated by a multidisciplinary approach. Positive margins after surgical procedure are the principal risk factor of local recurrence, therefore to perform adequate surgery a correct preoperative staging is mandatory. Imaging techniques are used for diagnosis, to determine anatomic site and extension, to perform a guided biopsy, for local and general staging, to evaluate chemotherapy response, to detect the presence of a recurrence. This article will focus on the role of imaging in guiding this often difficult surgery and the different technical possibilities adopted in our department to restore the mechanics of the thoracic cage after wide resections.

Imaging in bone sarcomas. The chemotherapist's point of view

The role of imaging in planning oncologic treatment and follow-up of patients with bone sarcomas is discussed in the present article. Tumor staging and radiographic assessment of response to chemotherapy in bone sarcomas may be of difficult interpretation. In particular, the use of the criterion of tumor shrinkage to measure response to chemotherapy is not always applicable in bone tumors where higher calcification rather than reduction in size is frequently observed. New techniques such as (18)F-FDG PET/CT, dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance are now available allowing a more accurate staging of patients and adding information for the evaluation of tumor response. Innovative approaches aiming to evaluate vascular and metabolic response rather than mono- or bi-dimensional changes may be more informative and require further investigations.

The role of imaging for translational research in bone tumors

Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of rare connective tissue tumors, representing 1% of adult and 15% of childhood cancers for which biological and pathological information is still incomplete. In bone tumors patients with metastatic disease at onset, those who relapse and those with post-surgical secondary lesions still have a dismal outcome because of poor response to current therapies. Different molecular biology approaches have identified activated cell signalling pathways or specific molecular endpoints that may be considered potential drug targets or markers useful for diagnosis/prognosis in musculoskeletal pathology. Recently, advances in the field of molecular imaging allow visualization of cell and metabolic functions with the use of targets that include cell membrane receptors, enzymes of intracellular transport. Moreover advanced non-invasive newer imaging techniques like 18-FDG PET, quantitative dynamic-contrast MR imaging, diffusion weighted imaging have all shown a potential in distinguish malignant from benign lesions, in revealing the efficacy of therapy in tumors, the onset of recurrence and a good reliability in reckoning the percentage of necrosis in Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma. Thus, in vivo detection of imaging cancer biomarkers may be useful to better characterize those complex pathologic processes, such as apoptosis, proliferation and angiogenesis that determine tumor aggressiveness, providing not only complementary information of prognostic metabolic indicators, but also data in real-time on the efficacy of the treatment through the modulation of the cell metabolism.

Late sarcoma development after curettage and bone grafting of benign bone tumors

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Rarely sarcomas develop in previous benign lesions, after a long term disease free interval. We report the experience on these rare cases observed at a single Institution.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

12 cases curetted and grafted, without radiotherapy developed sarcomas, between 1970 and 2005, 6.5-28 years from curettage (median 18, average 19). Age ranged from 13 to 55 years (median 30, average 32) at first diagnosis; tumors were located in the extremities (9 GCT, benign fibrous histiocytoma, ABC, and solitary bone cyst). Radiographic and clinic documentation, for the benign and malignant lesions, were available. Histology was available for 7 benign and all malignant lesions.

RESULTS

To fill cavities, autogenous bone was used in 4 cases, allograft in 2, allograft and tricalcium-phosphate/hydroxyapatite in 1, autogenous/allograft in 1, heterogenous in 1. For 3 cases the origin was not reported. Secondary sarcomas, all high grade, were 8 osteosarcoma, 3 malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and 1 fibrosarcoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrences with progression from benign tumors are possible, but the very long intervals here reported suggest a different cancerogenesis for these sarcomas. This condition is extremely rare accounting for only 0.26% of all malignant bone sarcomas treated in the years 1970-2005 and represents only 8.76% of all secondary bone sarcomas treated in the same years. This incidence is the same as that of sarcomas arising on fibrous dysplasia, and is lower than those arising on bone infarcts or on Paget's disease. This possible event must be considered during follow-up of benign lesions.

Role of MMP-9 and its tissue inhibitor TIMP-1 in human osteosarcomaFindings in 42 patients followed for 1–16 years

BACKGROUND

The activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in degrading extracellular matrix is controlled by activation of proenzymes and inhibition of MMP tissue inhibitors (TIMPs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

To assess the proteolytic cascade imbalance in malignancy progression, tissue expression and serum levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and of their inhibitors TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 respectively were evaluated in 42 selected patients with high-grade osteosarcoma (OS). MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 were studied in biopsies by immunohistochemistry and in serum by ELISA test. Patients were subdivided into 3 groups according to their follow up: continuously disease-free, diagnosis of metastasis during follow-up, and metastasis at diagnosis.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry demonstrated an imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs, with a more evident role for MMP-9 than for MMP-2 in tumor progression. TIMP-1 inhibitor in plasma was higher in patients with osteosarcoma than in a control group. This high value of TIMP-1 was particularly evident in the group of patients who later developed metastases and/or local recurrences, and in those with metastases at diagnosis.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings confirm the protective action of TIMP-1, as MMP inhibitor, but also show its activity as a growth factor underlining its multifunctional role in OS.

Response to high-dose ifosfamide in patients with advanced/recurrent Ewing sarcoma

AIM

To determine activity and toxicity of high-dose ifosfamide (HDIFO) in recurrent or advanced Ewing sarcoma family tumors (EFT).

METHODS

Thirty-seven EFT patients [median age 17 years (6-45 years)] previously treated with chemotherapy regimens including standard dose ifosfamide were enrolled. HDIFO was administered for metastatic recurrent disease in 33 patients and for progression during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 4 patients. All patients who received two courses of 15 g/m(2) ifosfamide were evaluable for radiographic response assessed according to RECIST criteria.

RESULTS

Transient Grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in 97% and 54% HDIFO courses respectively and severe CNS toxicity in one patient were observed. Thirty-five patients were evaluable: 12 (34%) had complete (2) or partial (10) response, 11 (32%) had stable disease, and 12 (34%) had progression.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with relapsed or advanced EFT previously treated with standard dose ifosfamide HDIFO is active and it should be considered a treatment option.

Treatment of nonmetastatic Ewing's sarcoma family tumors of the spine and sacrum: the experience from a single institution

The objective of this study is to determine the best local treatment combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for ESFT of the spine and sacrum, for the best local treatment for Ewing sarcoma family tumors (ESFT) according to the primary site is still unclear. Nowadays surgery is used in local treatment of ESFT, but literature is scarce on the best local treatment in sites where surgery is problematic, such as the spine. This study evaluates the outcome and the rate of local recurrence of ESFT in the spine and sacrum when treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and locally by radiotherapy alone or surgery, followed by reduced doses of radiotherapy. Forty-three patients with nonmetastatic ESFT located in the spine and sacrum were treated at our institution between 1983 and 2000 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and locally by radiotherapy alone in 26 cases, and surgery followed by radiotherapy at reduced doses in 17. The 5- and 10-year event-free survival (EFS) was 37 and 30%, and the 5- and 10-year overall survival was (OS) 42 and 32%. The prognosis was unrelated to gender and age, tumor volume, chemotherapy protocol, and local treatment. The outcome seemed worse for patients with primary tumors located in the sacrum than for patients with tumors located in the rest of the spine (5-year EFS = 23 vs. 46%). For these patients the results were significantly worse than for those we achieved with neoadjuvant treatment for ESFT located in other sites. However, no differences were observed between patients locally treated with radiotherapy alone and those treated by radiotherapy followed by surgery. We concluded that regardless of the type of local treatment even when associated with neoadjuvant therapy, ESFT in the spine and sacrum has a poor outcome and prognosis is significantly worse than that of primary ESFT in other sites.

High grade osteosarcoma of the extremities with lung metastases at presentation: treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and simultaneous resection of primary and metastatic lesions

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Between 1986 and 2001, 162 patients with extremity osteosarcoma and lung metastases at presentation, were treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, simultaneous resection of primary and, when feasible, secondary lesions followed by chemotherapy.

RESULTS

After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, metastases disappeared in 14 patients, 16 were judged unresectable by both our thoracic surgeons, 132 had primary tumors and lung metastases removed simultaneously. Removal of lung metastases was complete in 123 and incomplete in 9. Histologically lesions were benign in 32 patients. For the 100 patients simultaneously operated with histologically proven lung metastases, 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was 18.9%; 27.4% for the 91 who had a complete resection of pulmonary lesions and entered remission as opposed to none for 9 patients who had incomplete removal of lung nodules. Among these 91, 5-year EFS was significantly higher for patients with monolateral compared to bilateral lesions (27.1% vs. 7.9%, P < 0.02) and when only one to three metastatic nodules were present (40.0% vs. 13.3%, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

These different results, demonstrate that our treatment had a reasonable survival outcome whereas other groups continue to have dismal prognosis. More efforts should be made to improve survival by identifying new active agents or novel approaches with cellular molecular targets.

Ewing’s sarcoma family tumours

Despite local treatment with systemic chemotherapy in Ewing’s sarcoma family tumours (ESFT), patients with detectable metastases at presentation have a markedly worse prognosis than those with apparently localised disease. We investigated the clinical, pathological and laboratory differences in 888 patients with ESFT, 702 with localised disease and 186 with overt metastases at presentation, seen at our institution between 1983 and 2006.

Multivariate analyses showed that location in the pelvis, a high level of serum lactic dehydrogenase, the presence of fever and a short interval between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis were indicative of metastatic disease. The rate of overt metastases at presentation was 10% without these four risk factors, 22.7% with one, 31.4% with two, and 50% for those with three or four factors. We concluded that in ESFT the site, the serum level of lactic dehydrogenase, fever, and the interval between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis are indicators of tumours having a particularly aggressive metastatic behaviour.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma of the extremities in patients aged 41-60 years: outcome in 34 cases treated with adriamycin, cisplatinum and ifosfamide between 1984 and 1999

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether adult patients with high-grade non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to protocols designed for adults, have a different outcome than younger patients treated with conventional protocols.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1994 through 1999, we treated 34 patients with non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities. These patients were aged mean 50 years (41-60), and received 4 cycles of multidrug chemotherapy (1 preoperatively and 3 postoperatively). Each cycle consisted of a combination of Cisplatin/Adriamycin, Ifosfamide/Cisplatinum and Ifosfamide/Adriamycin. 30 patients had limb salvage and 3 underwent amputation. During preoperative treatment, 1 died of toxicity. 16 patients had a good histological response to chemotherapy (> or = 90% tumor necrosis) and 17 had a poor response.

RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION

With a median follow-up of 8 (5-11) years, 19/33 patients remained continuously disease-free and 14 relapsed (10 with metastases, 3 with local recurrence and metastases, and 1 with local recurrence alone). After further treatments, 2/14 relapsed patients are alive and disease-free, 11 died of tumor, and 1 is alive with uncontrolled disease. 5-year event-free survival and overall survival were 56% and 70%, respectively. These results, which are similar to those of 296 patients under 40 years of age who were treated with conventional chemotherapy (5-year EFS 59% and 5-year OS 70%), indicate that neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves prognosis and also reduces amputations in patients aged over 40 with osteosarcoma of the extremities.

Adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy for Ewing sarcoma family tumors in patients aged between 40 and 60: report of 35 cases and comparison of results with 586 younger patients treated with the same protocols in the same years

BACKGROUND

The clinical and pathologic features of 46 patients 40 to 60 years old with Ewing sarcoma family tumor (ESFT) diagnosed at the authors' institute between 1972 and 2000 were reviewed.

METHODS

Ten patients with metastatic tumors at presentation went elsewhere for treatment; 35 of 36 remaining cases with localized disease were treated at the authors' institution according to different chemotherapy protocols activated in successive years. In patients with nonmetastatic tumors local treatment was surgery in 9 patients, radiotherapy in 16, and surgery followed by radiotherapy in 10.

RESULTS

At follow-up times ranging from 6 and 34 years (mean, 17.8 years), 15 patients (42.9%) remained continuously disease-free, 19 experienced recurrence, and 1 died of chemotherapy-related toxicity. The 5- and 10-year event-free survivals were 42.9% and 35.2%, respectively, and the 5- and 10-year overall survivals were 46.1% and 42.8%, respectively. Comparing this group of patients with 586 cases of younger patients seen in the same period at Rizzoli, the only difference between the 2 groups was a significantly higher rate of tumors located in the soft tissues with a larger volume in the older group. The results achieved were comparable in the 2 groups, although the older group had a lower chemotherapy dose-intensity and a higher rate of WHO grade 4 hematologic toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with localized disease treated with adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy the results were essentially comparable in the 2 groups. It is concluded that patients 40 years or older with ESFT should be treated in the same way as younger patients and included in treatment trials for these tumors.

Local recurrence and local control of non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities: A 27-year experience in a single institution

BACKGROUND

Indications and contraindications for limb salvage versus amputation for local treatment of osteosarcoma of the extremity are still controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients (1,126) with non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity, treated in a single institution between 1972 and 1999 with different protocols of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated to establish factors that could influence local recurrence (LR) and outcome.

RESULTS

The 5-year event-free survival and overall survival were 55% and 66%. At a follow-up ranging between 5.5 and 32.5 years (mean18.6 years) of the 1,126 evaluated patients, 607 (54%) remained continuously disease-free and 519 relapsed. LR developed in 61 patients (5.4%) after a median time of 2.3 years (0.2-17). For this group of patients the 5-year post-relapse event-free survival and overall survival from the last relapse were, respectively, 11.4% and 16.4%. At the multivariate analyses only surgical margins and histologic response to preoperative treatment resulted to be independent prognostic factors for LR.

CONCLUSION

Considering the risk of LR after surgery with inadequate surgical margins and poor prognosis of LR in osteosarcoma, limb salvage procedures should be performed only when adequate margins surgical margins can be achieved. In case of inadequate margins, an immediate amputation should be considered.

Second malignant neoplasm in patients with osteosarcoma of the extremities treated with adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy

We evaluated the rate of second malignancies in 1205 patients with osteosarcoma of the extremity treated at our Institution with different protocols of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Twenty-six patients (2.15%) developed a second malignant neoplasm at a median of 7.6 years (1 to 25 y) after primary osteosarcoma treatment. Of these, 2 developed a third cancer which were not considered in the series. Second neoplasms were leukemia (10), breast (7), lung (2), kidney (2), central nervous system cancer (2), soft tissue (1), parotid (1), and colon (1). The rate of second neoplasms was significantly higher in female patients, and the latent period shorter in hematologic tumors compared with solid tumors. Ten of these 26 patients are disease free at a median of 7.7 years (range 1 to 15 y) after the last treatment. The rate of second malignancies observed in the osteosarcoma group was significantly higher than that observed in the control group of 1160 patients with benign tumors treated in the same period at our Institute (2.2% vs. 0.8%, P<0.009). Our study showed that the risk of second neoplasm within 15 years increased and then leveled off and that although secondary solid tumors could be explained as unrelated cases, leukemias seem to be over represented.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for radioinduced osteosarcoma of the extremity: The Rizzoli experience in 20 cases

PURPOSE

Evaluate treatment and outcome of 20 patients with radioinduced osteosarcoma (RIO). Because of previous primary tumor treatment, RIO protocols were different from others we used for non-RIO.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1983 and 1998, we treated 20 RIO patients, ages 4-36 years (mean 16 years), with chemotherapy (two cycles before surgery, three postoperatively). The first preoperative cycle consisted of high-dose Methotrexate (HDMTX)/Cisplatinum (CDP)/Adriamycin (ADM) and the second of HDMTX/CDP/Ifosfamide (IFO). The three postoperative treatments were performed with cycles of MTX/CDP; IFO was used as single agent per cycle repeated three times.

RESULTS

Two patients received palliative treatment because their osteosarcoma remained unresectable after preoperative chemotherapy. The remaining 18 patients had surgery (7 amputations, 11 resections); histologic response to preoperative chemotherapy was good in 8 patients, poor in 10. At a mean follow-up of 11 years (range, 7-22 years), 9 patients remained continuously disease-free, 10 died from osteosarcoma and 1 died from a third neoplasm (myeloid acute leukemia). These results are not significantly different from those achieved in 754 patients with conventional osteosarcoma treated in the same period with protocols used for conventional treatment. However, this later group had an 18% 3-year event-free survival after treatment of relapse vs. 0% in the RIO group.

CONCLUSION

Treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy RIO seem to have an outcome that is not significantly different from that of comparable patients with conventional primary high grade osteosarcoma (5-year event-free survival: 40% vs. 60%, p = NS; 5-year overall survival 40% vs. 67%, p < 0.01).

Treatment and prognosis for synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma in 42 patients

Between 1986 and 2002, 42 patients with synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma were treated with two different protocols of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. When feasible, the primary and secondary tumours were excised as a combined procedure.

After initial chemotherapy 26 patients were excluded from simultaneous excision of all their secondary bone lesions as their disease was too advanced. In 12 patients only isolated excision of the primary lesion was possible. For 16 patients simultaneous operations were conducted to excise the primary and secondary lesions. This involved two supplementary sites in 15 patients and four additional sites in one patient. Of these, 15 attained remission but 12 relapsed and died (11 within two years). Three patients remained disease-free at five, six and 17 years. The histological response to pre-operative chemotherapy of the primary and secondary lesions was concordant in 13 of the 16 patients who underwent simultaneous operations at more than one site.

The prognosis for synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma remains poor despite combined chemotherapy and surgery. The homogeneous histological responses in a large proportion of the primary and secondary lesions implies that synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma tumours are not multicentric in origin, but probably represent bone-to-bone metastases from a single tumour.

Resection of recurrent pulmonary metastases in patients with osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection of lung metastases is widely accepted in osteosarcoma patients. Few data exist on treatment of recurrent pulmonary metastases. The authors of the current study retrospectively analyzed patients with osteosarcoma who received surgery for recurrent lung metastases.

METHODS

From 1980 to 2001, 127 metastasectomies were performed on 94 patients. Criteria of eligibility were no metastases beyond the lung, no local recurrence, possibility of achieving complete resection of metastases without causing respiratory insufficiency, acceptable operative risk. Data were statistically elaborated with survival analysis according to Kaplan-Meier method of univariate analysis, life tables and Gehan statistic model, and multivariate analysis using Cox regression test. Results were considered in terms of time from first (DFI1) and second (DFI2) metastasectomy.

RESULTS

Of 94 patients operated upon twice, 59 (62.7%) died. Thirty-five (37.3%) are alive; 31 (32.9%) of these are continuously disease-free. The 3- and 5-year event-free actuarial survival curve from first metastasectomy was 45%, and 38%, respectively, whereas from the second metastasectomy, it was 33% and 32%, respectively. According to a Cox regression model, DFI1 has a risk of death of 0.974 times and DFI2 of 0.972 times for every additional month of survival. In multivariate analysis, Cox regression test showed the best predictive model of local recurrence and number of metastases (P = 0.0014).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors concluded that patients persistently free of the primary osteosarcoma who developed recurrent resectable metastatic disease of the lung should be considered for reoperation a second, third, or fourth time, as these patients had similar DFI curves after five-years.

Proteases and interleukin-6 gene analysis in 92 giant cell tumorsof bone

BACKGROUND

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) is a benign tumor with a significant tendency to recur locally and rarely to produce pulmonary metastases. It is characterized by the presence of multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells together with mononuclear spindle-shaped cells. Few prognostic markers have been reported to predict the clinical outcome of GCT patients, so is very important to find the factor that can be implicated in its potential aggressiveness.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Different groups of GCT patients were selected for this study, including patients without evidence of disease and patients who recurred locally or with lung metastasis. The total of 92 tumor samples also included the specimens of the local recurrences and the lung metastases. By using immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction techniques, the genetic and proteic analyses were performed on the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), its receptor (u-PAR) and its inhibitor (PAI-1), which have been described to be frequently implicated in the process of degradation of the extracellular matrix during the metastatic process. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine released by GCT cells, which stimulates resorption of bone, was also analyzed.

RESULTS

IL-6, u-PA, u-PAR and PAI 1 genes were found amplified, respectively, in 7%, 5%, 8% and 12% of total cases (92). In particular, the percentages of amplified genes were higher in the GCT cells that gave rise to metastases (12 cases) and in the samples of lung metastases (nine cases) compared with the disease-free group of patients (60 cases).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a possible association of these factors with a higher biological aggressiveness of GCT. Morever, it appears that increased expression of the IL-6, u-PA, u-PAR and PAI1 proteins might not depend on mutation of the corresponding genes.

Activation of metalloproteinases-2 and -9 by interleukin-1alpha in S100A4-positive liposarcoma cell line: correlation with cell invasiveness

BACKGROUND

The S100A4 gene may affect the invasive properties of tumor cells through modulation of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the human liposarcoma cell line, SW872, we analyzed the expression of S100A4 protein by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The production of MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1 and TIMP2 was assessed by gelatin zymography and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay before and after interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) stimulation; cell invasiveness was measured by Matrigel invasion assay.

RESULTS

S100A4-positive SW872 cells responded to IL-1alpha with induction of immunoreactive MMP2 and TIMP1 and with activation of both MMPs, the latter significantly associated with an increase of cell invasiveness. Treatment with IL-6 induced less significant variations resulting in a more stable invasive behavior.

CONCLUSION

These data show that S100A4-positive SW872 respond to interleukins by influencing the behavior of factors involved in extracellular matrix degradation and emphasize the predominant role of MMP activity status on the positive regulation of cell migration mechanisms.

Chondrosarcoma of the chest wall: a clinical analysis

PURPOSE

To discuss the management of different histological types of chondrosarcoma (CS) in the chest wall based on our clinical experience.

METHODS

The subjects of this study were 16 patients with CS of the chest wall surgically treated by resection at our institute between September 1981 and August 2000. There were 11 men and 5 women ranging in age from 23 to 74 years. The median follow-up period was 54 months. The tumor was located only in the ribs in ten patients, in the sternum and ribs in three, only in the sternum in two, and in the ribs and spine in one. The surgical margins were wide in 12 patients and marginal in four. Reconstruction using Marlex mesh combined with moldable metal plates was carried out to prevent flail chest in nine patients, resection alone was performed in five patients, and a muscular flap was used in two patients.

RESULTS

The survival rate was 86% after a median follow-up period of 54 months. One operative death (6.2%) occurred, and another required temporary tracheostomy. There were no infections in this series. Oncological outcome was clinically related to surgical margins and recurrence. The postoperative respiratory function test result was 10% less than the preoperative one.

CONCLUSION

This series demonstrated that wide resection is the treatment of choice for chest wall CS and that Marlex mesh combined with metallic mouldable plates is a reliable technique for reconstruction.

Metalloproteinase expression and prognosis in soft tissue sarcomas

BACKGROUND

Degradation of extracellular matrix by tumor-associated proteases can promote cell invasion and metastasis. This study assessed the prognostic role of MMP2, MMP9 metalloproteinases, and of the metalloproteinase inhibitor TIMP2, related to disease-free survival (DFS), in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Level and distribution of MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP2 expression were evaluated on 73 biopsies by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Biopsies included 29 liposarcomas, 29 synovial sarcomas, and 15 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). Association between DFS and overall survival with different variables was assessed.

RESULTS

In terms of DFS, increased MMP2 reactivity and lack of TIMP2 expression were significant for poor prognosis in all samples (P = 0.0005 and P = 0.006 respectively). MMP2 correlated to histologic grade (P = 0.005). Lack of TIMP2 expression was a poor prognostic factor for DFS in synovial sarcoma (P = 0.009), while MMP2 and MMP9 correlated with metastasis (P = 0.008 and P = 0.005, respectively) and grade (P = 0.001 and P = 0.04 respectively) in liposarcoma.

CONCLUSIONS

These prognostic markers that influence growth and spread of tumor cells might be useful to define tumor aggressiveness and risk of the metastasic event.

Analysis of 12q13-15 genes in parosteal osteosarcoma

The region q13-15 of chromosome 12 frequently is altered in human sarcomas, and several genes, such as SAS, CDK4, and MDM2, have been found to be amplified in bone and soft tissue sarcomas. These genes and their products were studied by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis in 25 parosteal osteosarcoma samples (22 Grades I or II, three dedifferentiated) to evaluate if the possible alterations detected of the genes on chromosome 12 could have a role in the development of this rare bone tumor. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tumor sections to evaluate CDK4 and MDM2 protein expression. To measure the degree of SAS and CDK4 gene amplification, quantitative polymerase chain reaction was done on deoxyribonucleic acid derived from the same samples. The results showed that CDK4 protein was expressed in 92% of the cases. Strong and uniform CDK4 and MDM2 immunoreactivity was found respectively in three of three and two of three dedifferentiated parosteal osteosarcomas. SAS and CDK4 genes were found to be amplified fourfold in two Grade II tumors and in one dedifferentiated tumor. These findings, which should be investigated further, might suggest a possible role of the chromosome 12 genes in the pathogenesis of parosteal osteosarcoma.

Alteration of pRb/p16/cdk4 regulation in human osteosarcoma

Cell-cycle regulation depends on a fine balance between cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase complexes and a family of kinase inhibitors that bind cyclin-cdk complexes and block their activity. To investigate the role of mechanisms regulating cell-cycle progression in human osteosarcomas (OS), pRb/p16/cdk4 expression was analyzed in 39 high-grade OS; 19 of these developed metastasis during follow-up. Positive reaction for functional pRB was shown by 18/39 (46%) OS, while 21/39 (54%) were negative. A higher probability of metastasis was seen in patients with negative pRb expression (p < 0.05). Furthermore, while functional pRb and D1 expression are inversely associated to metastasis occurrence, the presence of D1/cdk4 complex in our study was related to poor prognosis. We found that 10/18 pRb-positive and 14/21 pRb-negative tumors were p16-positive. No significant correlation was found between pRb and p16 expression. On the other hand, high cdk4 levels in p16-positive tumors as compared with p16-negative tumors resulted in a positive association between p16 and cdk4 expression (Chi squared = 5.98; p = 0.01). No extensive p16INK4A genomic alterations were found in tumors lacking p16-protein expression. To determine which mechanisms are involved in the down-regulation of p16 protein, the methylation status of the p16INK4 gene was evaluated on the 15 p16-negative tumors: 8 samples showed 5' CpG-island methylation; 4/8 had a complete methylation status, while in the remaining 4 the gene was only partially methylated. These data confirm the role of the pRb/p16/cdk4 pathway in OS development.

Secondary tumors in bone sarcomas after treatment with chemotherapy

New oncologic treatments have improved survival in osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. However, these treatments may cause secondary malignancies after radiotherapy. This study evaluated the incidence of secondary malignancies after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Between April 1972 and December 1990, 518 osteosarcoma and 299 Ewing's sarcoma patients entered neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols. Follow-up records of all patients were analyzed and malignant tumors were reported. Nine patients developed another malignancy, including 5 leukemias, 1 astrocytoma, 1 liposarcoma, 1 parotid, and 1 breast carcinoma. Four leukemias were found in patients treated for osteosarcoma with chemotherapy, but not radiotherapy. Only one leukemia developed after Ewing's sarcoma treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The incidence of leukemias is high, while the other tumors can be explained as unrelated cases. Incidence densities for leukemia were calculated for both groups of patients. Treated osteosarcoma patients seem to have a predisposition to develop leukemias, but whether this is chemotherapy induced needs to be investigated.

C-myc and c-fos in human osteosarcoma: prognostic value of mRNA and protein expression

The c-myc and c-fos proto-oncogenes have several putative functions, including regulation of cell growth. In many neoplasms c-myc overexpression has been linked to poor prognosis. In order to study the role of c-myc and c-fos expression on the tumorigenesis, and the metastatic spread of osteosarcoma, frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue 38 primary osteosarcoma and 10 lung metastases were analyzed. The mRNA analysis was performed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. The protein expression was studied by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. C-myc and c-fos were found overexpressed in a high percentage of the relapsed tumors and of the metastases, and overexpression of both oncogenes in the same tumor was strongly correlated to the development of metastases (p < 0.05), as 6 of the 7 primary tumors overexpressing both the oncogenes gave metastases. In conclusion, both c-myc and c-fos are involved in the growth and spread of osteosarcoma and a synchronous overexpression of both oncogenes is highly significant for a metastatic potential of a primary tumor.

Prognostic significance of cyclin expression in human osteosarcoma

To evaluate the distribution of cyclin protein expression, in relation to cell proliferation rate and clinical behavior, an immunohistochemical study was performed on 92 tumor samples of patients with high grade osteosarcoma (OS). A large cyclin A- and cyclin E-positive fraction was found respectively in 59% and 47% of the osteosarcomas, while immunostaining for cyclin D1 was weak or absent in most tumor samples. A positive, statistically significant correlation was found between A and E cyclins and Ki67 expression (p<0.001). Disease-free survival (DFS) analysis included 69 of the 92 patients. A significantly higher probability of metastasis was seen in patients lacking cyclin D1 compared to those in which cyclin D1 was positive (p<0.01). Conversely, patients with >40% of cyclin A-positive cells relapsed more frequently than those with <40% of cyclin A-positive cells (p<0.05). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that cyclin A had a lower predective risk in terms of disease-free survival as opposed to the loss of cyclin D1 that is considered a powerful prognostic factor.

Tumours of the patella

We report 15 cases of primary tumours and pseudotumours of the patella. The radiographic features and the surgical treatment of the different histological types are described in relation to Enneking's surgical staging and data derived from the literature.

Effect of perioperative transfusions on survival in osteosarcoma treated by multimodal therapy

We report on a retrospective study of 155 patients amputated for nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the long bones. Among the various prognostic variables considered, a significant correlation was found only between survival and transfusions. In this report, the authors consider some hypotheses reported by others for tumors of a different nature and site and conclude that perioperative transfusion may induce depression in the immune response, which is the cause of a shorter survival in the patients reviewed.