[en] Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are extremely rare mesenchymal malignancies. Given the lack of large prospective studies on radiation therapy (RT) with definitive and/or palliative intent in SFT patients, this retrospective study aimed to better define the benefit of RT in this disease.

[en] Recent histological and molecular evaluation of lipo sarcomas led to the reclassification of this tumors group based on genetic markers. Molecular classification of lipo sarcomas is very important and now is considered to become an integral part of the WHO classification. It is supposed that additional information on molecular features of lipo sarcomas will allow exact sub classification and providing a platform for molecular therapy to be included in the current treatment approach. (author)

[en] Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare malignancies that require complex multidisciplinary management. Therefore, facilities with high sarcoma case volume may demonstrate superior outcomes. We hypothesized that STS treatment at high-volume (HV) facilities would be associated with improved overall survival (OS).

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] A single fraction of 800 cGy was used in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). A total of 74 radiation treatments was given to a total of 31 patients. Of all 74 evaluable treatments, there were 25 objective major responses (6 complete, 19 partial) according to WHO criteria, while 67 treatments resulted in subjective palliation of the main reason to treat (cosmetic discomfort, pain, or oedema). However, it appeared that the duration of these responses was rather short; in 23 of 36 radiation treatments with a follow-up of more than 4 months, progression of the tumour was seen within that time, while the palliative effect outlasted the survival of the patients in only 4 cases. It is concluded that a single dose of 800 cGy is an effective treatment for patients with a predicted survival of only a few months, and it should be determined whether a higher fractionated dose improves duration of responses, especially for patients with a good performance. (author). 18 refs.; 1 tab

[en] Highlights: • Ddedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is recalcitrant and has the lowest survival rate. • Determine the efficacy of rMETase combined with palbociclib (PAL) against a DOX-resistant DDLPS in a PDOX mouse model. • The combination of PAL and rMETase significantly regressed tumor volume. • The combination of rMETase and PAL could be developed clinically. Liposarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma. Among the subtypes of liposarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is recalcitrant and has the lowest survival rate. The aim of the present study is to determine the efficacy of metabolic targeting with recombinant methioninase (rMETase) combined with palbociclib (PAL) against a doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant DDLPS in a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model. A resected tumor from a patient with recurrent high-grade DDLPS in the right retroperitoneum was grown orthotopically in the right retroperitoneum of nude mice to establish a PDOX model. The PDOX models were randomized into the following groups when tumor volume reached 100 mm³: G1, control without treatment; G2, DOX; G3, PAL; G4, recombinant methioninase (rMETase); G5, PAL combined with rMETase. Tumor length and width were measured both pre- and post-treatment. On day 14 after initiation, all treatments significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to the untreated control except DOX. PAL combined with rMETase was significantly more effective than both DOX, rMETase alone, and PAL alone. Combining PAL and rMETase significantly regressed tumor volume on day 14 after initiation of treatment and was the only treatment to do so. The relative body weight on day 14 compared with day 0 did not significantly differ between each treatment group. The results of the present study indicate the powerful combination of rMETase and PAL should be tested clinically against DDLPS in the near future.

[en] An analysis of a pilot study of neutron therapy of 70 patients with tissue sarcomas is presented. In a group of 50 patients who had undergone macroscopically or microscopically subtotal surgery, 44 (88 %) are free of recurrence after a mean follow-up period of 13,3 months (range: 4-30 months). In another group of patients who had partial tumour resection or only biopsies with gross tumour left behind, a local tumour control is seen in 8 cases (40 %). Despite these favourable results there is as yet no clinical evidence that neutron irradiation is superior to photon or electron irradiation in the postoperative treatment of soft tissue sarcomas. To clarify this question, an EORTC/RTOG trial is being planned

[en] Much of our knowledge regarding cancer immunotherapy has been derived from sarcoma models. However, translation of preclinical findings to bedside success has been limited in this disease, though several intriguing clinical studies hint at the potential efficacy of this treatment modality. The rarity and heterogeneity of tumors of mesenchymal origin continues to be a challenge from a therapeutic standpoint. Nonetheless, sarcomas remain attractive targets for immunotherapy, as they can be characterized by specific epitopes, either from their mesenchymal origins or specific alterations in gene products. To date, standard vaccine trials have proven disappointing, likely due to mechanisms by which tumors equilibrate with and ultimately escape immune surveillance. More sophisticated approaches will likely require multimodal techniques, both by enhancing immunity, but also geared towards overcoming innate mechanisms of immunosuppression that favor tumorigenesis

No abstract available