Efficacy In Soft Tissue Sarcoma Research Articles

Predicting Trabectedin Efficacy in Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Inflammatory Biomarker Analysis.

Trabectedin is used as a treatment for advanced-stage soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), particularly liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. Aside from its direct effect on tumor cells, trabectedin can affect the immune system in the tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to evaluate whether inflammatory biomarkers predict trabectedin efficacy in STSs. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features and outcomes of patients with STS treated with trabectedin at our institution between 2016 and 2020. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI=neutrophil × monocyte/lymphocyte) were calculated based on the blood samples obtained prior to trabectedin treatment initiation. Analyses of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were performed according to various factors. Of the 101 patients identified, 54 had L-sarcoma (leiomyosarcoma: 30; liposarcoma: 24), and 47 had other types of STSs. Elevated SIRI, NLR, PLR, LMR, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were associated with worse PFS (p<0.001, p=0.008, p=0.027, p=0.013, and p<0.001, respectively) according to the results of the univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that elevated SIRI, other histology, and CRP were associated with poor PFS (p=0.007, p=0.008, and p=0.029, respectively). In addition, the multivariate analysis of OS showed that SIRI was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio=2.16, p=0.006). Pretreatment SIRI can be considered a biomarker for the prognostic prediction of patients with STS treated with trabectedin.

Chemotherapeutic drugs for soft tissue sarcomas: a review.

Despite the low incidence of soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), hundreds of thousands of new STS cases are diagnosed annually worldwide, and approximately half of them eventually progress to advanced stages. Currently, chemotherapy is the first-line treatment for advanced STSs. There are difficulties in selecting appropriate drugs for multiline chemotherapy, or for combination treatment of different STS histological subtypes. In this study, we first comprehensively reviewed the efficacy of various chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of STSs, and then described the current status of sensitive drugs for different STS subtypes. anthracyclines are the most important systemic treatment for advanced STSs. Ifosfamide, trabectedin, gemcitabine, taxanes, dacarbazine, and eribulin exhibit certain activities in STSs. Vinca alkaloid agents (vindesine, vinblastine, vinorelbine, vincristine) have important therapeutic effects in specific STS subtypes, such as rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma family tumors, whereas their activity in other subtypes is weak. Other chemotherapeutic drugs (methotrexate, cisplatin, etoposide, pemetrexed) have weak efficacy in STSs and are rarely used. It is necessary to select specific second- or above-line chemotherapeutic drugs depending on the histological subtype. This review aims to provide a reference for the selection of chemotherapeutic drugs for multi-line therapy for patients with advanced STSs who have an increasingly long survival.

A phase II trial with safety lead-in to evaluate the addition of sotigalimab, a CD40 agonistic monoclonal antibody, to standard-of-care doxorubicin for the treatment of advanced sarcoma.

11565 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have limited efficacy in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) due to insufficient T-cell activation and infiltration by immunosuppressive macrophages. Sotigalimab (S), a high-affinity humanized monoclonal antibody for CD40, promotes antigen presentation, stimulates T-cell responses, and reprograms immunosuppressive macrophages. Preclinical studies with CD40 agonists revealed efficacy in immune “cold” tumor types and synergy with chemotherapy. Standard first-line doxorubicin (D) provides objective response rate (ORR) &lt; 15% and median progression free survival (mPFS) of 4-6 mos in advanced STS. We therefore conducted this first-in-human study of D+S in STS. Methods: An open-label, single-arm, multi-center, phase 2 study evaluated D+S in advanced STS. Pts had ECOG PS ≤ 1 and any number of prior lines (but were anthracycline-naïve). The study initially enrolled all STS subtypes (except KS and GIST) but was amended in 12/2020 to limit enrollment to dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS), leiomyosarcoma (LMS), and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). Pts received D 75 mg/m2 IV D1 + S 0.3 mg/kg IV D1 for eight 21-day cycles, followed by S monotherapy. A safety lead-in was performed (first 6 patients). Primary endpoint was ORR. Secondary endpoints included PFS and safety. A Simon two-stage design was used. If ≥ 7/32 responded overall, the treatment would be considered promising (85% power, α = 0.05). A subset of patients underwent paired tumor biopsies. Results: 32 pts have enrolled (median age 62; 10 LMS, 10 UPS, 9 DDLPS, 3 other). 4 pts remain on treatment with median follow-up of 2.8 mos (1 UPS pt has not reached first imaging). D (75 mg/m2) + S (0.3 mg/kg) was safe and tolerable without dose limiting toxicity. Overall ORR was 16% (5/31). Objective responses occurred in UPS (2), LMS (1), other LPS (1), and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (1). Overall mPFS was 7.5 mos (95% CI 5.6-14.9 mos) and PFS rate at 6 and 12-mos was 55% and 31%, respectively. mPFS by STS subtype was 11.9 mos (95% CI: 10.3 – NE) for DDLPS, 7.5 mos (95% CI: 1.4—NE) for UPS and 5.6 mos (95% CI: 1.3 – NE) for LMS. Overall, 17/31 (55%) pts experienced grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs): most commonly, neutropenia (32%), febrile neutropenia (19%), and anemia (16%). 16% of pts experienced cytokine release (all low-grade). Correlative analysis of biopsies with high-definition spatial proteomics is ongoing. Conclusions: D (75 mg/m2) + S (0.3 mg/kg) every 21 days is safe and tolerable in STS. Final analysis of the primary endpoint awaits further follow-up on recently enrolled patients. Subtype-specific analysis suggests improvement in median PFS for DDLPS over historical controls: 11.9 mos vs 4 mos (Stacchiotti S. Ann Oncol 2020; Livingston M. Sci Rep 2017). An expansion of the DDLPS cohort is planned. Clinical trial information: NCT03719430 .

Efficacy of eribulin administered in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and anlotinib as salvage treatment for patients (pts) with advanced adult soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

11572 Background: Eribulin combined with a multi-targeted antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor has shown efficacy in STS. ICIs have also exhibited improved survival in some STS subtypes. We investigated the efficacy and safety of triple combination therapy with eribulin, an ICI and anlotinib in the treatment of advanced STS in an adult Chinese population. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed data from patients diagnosed with advanced STS who received combination therapy with eribulin, an ICI and anlotinib at the Department of Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST v1.1, disease control rate (DCR), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) by CTCAE v5.0. Results: Medical records from 32 pts treated between August 15, 2020 and January 31, 2023 were included; the median age was 56 years, 71.8% (23/32) were female, 75.0% (24/32) had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 0 or 1, and 25.0% (8/32) had an ECOG PS of 2. Pts had received a median of 2 (range 0-6) prior regimens and the median follow-up was 4.1 months. Among the patients, 50.0% (16/32) had liposarcomas (including 1 with pleomorphic liposarcoma and 15 with dedifferentiated liposarcoma [DDLPS]), 31.3% (10/32) had leiomyosarcomas (LMS), 3 had undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), and 1 each had angiosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and desmoplastic small round cell tumor. In a preliminary analysis, 29 pts were evaluable for clinical activity; partial responses (PRs) were achieved in 3 pts (2 DDLPS, 1 UPS), the ORR and DCR were 10.3% (3/29) and 62.1% (18/29) respectively, and the median PFS was 5.7 months (95% CI 2.7-9.8). Of the 15 pts with DDLPS (median 1 prior line of therapy; median follow-up 6.3 months), 13 were evaluable for clinical activity; a PR was achieved by 15.4% (2/13), the DCR was 61.5% (8/13), the median PFS was 9.8 months (95% CI 1.8-28.5) and treatment was ongoing in 46.7% of pts (n = 7). Among the 9 evaluable pts with LMS, 0 achieved a PR, the DCR was 44.4% (4/9), median PFS was 3.9 months and 3 pts were still receiving treatment. In the overall cohort (n = 32), TRAEs of any grade occurred in 56.3% of pts (n = 18), the most common were myelosuppression (28.1%), fatigue (15.6%), fever (12.5%) and rash (12.5%). Grade 3/4 TRAEs occurred in 12.5% of pts, with no grade 5 events. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential efficacy of combination therapy with eribulin, an ICI and anlotinib in patients with advanced STS, especially in those with the DDLPS subtype. Our data suggest that this combination has good tolerability and a prospective trial is warranted. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2100053594.

Efficacy of combination lurbinectedin (LURBI) + doxorubicin (DOX) from the phase 1B soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) lead-in to a randomized phase 2 trial in leiomyosarcoma (LMS).

11507 Background: Single agent or combination chemotherapy, typically Dox- or gemcitabine-based, are standard 1st- and 2nd-line therapies in patients (pts) with metastatic LMS; however, objective response rates (ORR), progression-free, and overall survival (PFS/OS) remain inadequate. Lurbi (PharmaMar S.A. / Jazz Pharmaceuticals) binds to DNA inhibiting transcription and inducing double strand breaks leading to apoptosis and delaying S/G2 progression. In a prior pilot study, we showed Lurbi+Dox is well-tolerated, with signs of activity, particularly in LMS. We designed this phase 1b to optimize dosing to lead into a randomized (1:1) phase 2 trial of Dox+/-Lurbi in anthracycline-naïve LMS. Herein we provide updated efficacy and tolerability data for this Phase 1b cohort. Methods: Pts &gt; 18 yrs with locally advanced/metastatic, unresectable non-GIST STS (Phase 1b only) w/o prior anthracycline or Lurbi/trabectedin, ECOG PS &lt; 3, RECIST 1.1 measurable, and normal organ function were eligible. The phase 1b followed a 3+3 design. Dosing included fixed Lurbi (3.2 mg/m2 d1) with two Dox dose levels (DL; DL1: 25 mg/m2 d1; DL2 25 mg/m2 d1+8). All pts received GCSF prophylaxis. Tumor assessments were every 2 cycles. DL1 was chosen as RP2D and the phase 2 trial began accrual in Aug 2022 aiming to enroll 50 LMS pts randomized 1:1 (stratified by uterine LMS [uLMS]] v. other LMS) with PFS as primary endpoint. Pts progressing on Dox are allowed to cross to Lurbi monotherapy. Results: 10 patients were enrolled in Phase 1b. Histologies included 5 LMS (4 uLMS) and 1 each of myxofibrosarcoma (myxFS), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS), endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), and solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). With a median follow-up of 344 days, 5/10 pts remain on treatment with median PFS of 357 days (95%CI 175-ND). 6 pts demonstrated partial response (PR; 5 confirmed), 3 with stable disease (SD), and 1 with progressive disease (PD, Table). Median time to PR was 81 days (range 46-207). Duration of response was over 132 days in all responders with 3 still on treatment. Treatment-related AEs were typical for Dox/Lurbi, including nausea, fatigue, and reversible LFT elevations/cytopenias. Updated safety and response data will be provided at the time of the meeting. Conclusions: Lurbi+Dox is well-tolerated with efficacy in STS including 6/10 pts achieving PR, 9/10 pts staying on treatment for &gt;120d, and 6/10 pts &gt;200d. The randomized phase 2 study is currently enrolling. Clinical trial information: NCT05099666 . [Table: see text]

Efficacy and safety of eribulin in the treatment of advanced adult soft tissue sarcoma (STS): First real-world data in Chinese population.

11577 Background: Eribulin has shown efficacy in STS, especially for the L-type sarcomas, including liposarcoma (LPS) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS). We investigated the efficacy and safety of eribulin in the treatment of advanced adult STS in Chinese population. Methods: The study retrospectively analyzed data from patients diagnosed as advanced STS and received eribulin monotherapy or combination regimens in the Department of Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University from January 2020 to February 2021. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints included disease control rate (DCR), progress-free survival (PFS) and treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) by CTCAE v5.0. Results: A total of 40 patients who received at least two doses of eribulin and underwent at least one post-baseline response assessment were included in analysis. The mean age was 48 years. 82.5% (33/40) had L-type sarcomas, and 17.5% (7/40) had non-L-type sarcomas. Overall, 25% (10/40) of patients received eribulin alone; and 75% (30/40) received combination regimens. Drugs used with eribulin included gemcitabine, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), anti-PD-1 antibodies, or TKIs plus anti-PD-1 antibodies. For the 40 patients, the ORR was 27.5% (11/40) and the DCR was 60% (24/40). The ORR for myxoid liposarcoma was especially encouraging: 54.5% (6/11) and the DCR was 72.7% (8/11). 10 patients received the combined therapy of anti-PD-1 antibodies, TKIs, and eribulin and showed a likely better ORR of 30% (3/10) and DCR of 70% (7/10). After a median follow-up time of 12.57 months (IQR, 8.43-16.30), the median PFS was 4.13 months (95% CI, 2.17-8.40). 10 out of 33 (30.3%) patients with L-type sarcomas had achieved PR and the median PFS was 4.45 months, 1 out of 7 (14.3%) patients with non-L-type sarcomas had achieved PR and the median PFS is 2.67 months. Common TRAEs were bone marrow suppression (42.5%), hypertriglyceridemia (25%), fatigue (10%), hypertension (7.5%). No treatment-related death happened. Logistic regression analysis of the multiple factors influencing ORR revealed no difference between taxane-treated and taxane-naïve patient groups. Conclusions: This study presents the first real-world data on the use of eribulin in STS in Chinese population. Eribulin monotherapy or combination therapy were likely more effective in this population, as well-tolerated as with Study 309, especially in treating liposarcoma. Eribulin used in combination with TKI and anti-PD-1 antibody showed potential efficacy in STSs. Further clinical exploration of front-line eribulin monotherapy and combination strategies in this setting is warranted.

Immunotherapy in soft tissue and bone sarcoma: unraveling the barriers to effectiveness.

Sarcomas are uncommon malignancies of mesenchymal origin that can arise throughout the human lifespan, at any part of the body. Surgery remains the optimal treatment modality whilst response to conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, is minimal. Immunotherapy has emerged as a novel approach to treat different cancer types but efficacy in soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma is limited to distinct subtypes. Growing evidence shows that cancer-stroma cell interactions and their microenvironment play a key role in the effectiveness of immunotherapy. However, the pathophysiological and immunological properties of the sarcoma tumor microenvironment in relation to immunotherapy advances, has not been broadly reviewed. Here, we provide an up-to-date overview of the different immunotherapy modalities as potential treatments for sarcoma, identify barriers posed by the sarcoma microenvironment to immunotherapy, highlight their relevance for impeding effectiveness, and suggest mechanisms to overcome these barriers.

Improving Immunotherapy Efficacy in Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: A Biomarker Driven and Histotype Tailored Review.

Anti-PD-(L)1 therapies yield a disappointing response rate of 15% across soft-tissue sarcomas, even if some subtypes benefit more than others. The proportions of TAMs and TILs in their tumor microenvironment are variable, and this heterogeneity correlates to histotype. Tumors with a richer CD8+ T cell, M1 macrophage, and CD20+ cells infiltrate have a better prognosis than those infiltrated by M0/M2 macrophages and a high immune checkpoint protein expression. PD-L1 and CD8+ infiltrate seem correlated to response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), but tertiary lymphoid structures have the best predictive value and have been validated prospectively. Trials for combination therapies are ongoing and focus on the association of ICI with chemotherapy, achieving encouraging results especially with pembrolizumab and doxorubicin at an early stage, or ICI with antiangiogenics. A synergy with oncolytic viruses is seen and intratumoral talimogene laherpavec yields an impressive 35% ORR when associated to pembrolizumab. Adoptive cellular therapies are also of great interest in tumors with a high expression of cancer-testis antigens (CTA), such as synovial sarcomas or myxoid round cell liposarcomas with an ORR ranging from 20 to 50%. It seems crucial to adapt the design of clinical trials to histology. Leiomyosarcomas are characterized by complex genomics but are poorly infiltrated by immune cells and do not benefit from ICI. They should be tested with PIK3CA/AKT inhibition, IDO blockade, or treatments aiming at increasing antigenicity (radiotherapy, PARP inhibitors). DDLPS are more infiltrated and have higher PD-L1 expression, but responses to ICI remain variable across clinical studies. Combinations with MDM2 antagonists or CDK4/6 inhibitors may improve responses for DDLPS. UPS harbor the highest copy number alterations (CNA) and mutation rates, with a rich immune infiltrate containing TLS. They have a promising 15-40% ORR to ICI. Trials for ICB should focus on immune-high UPS. Association of ICI with FGFR inhibitors warrants further exploration in the immune-low group of UPS. Finally translocation-related sarcomas are heterogeneous, and although synovial sarcomas a poorly infiltrated and have a poor response rate to ICI, ASPS largely benefit from ICB monotherapy or its association with antiangiogenics agents. Targeting specific neoantigens through vaccine or adoptive cellular therapies is probably the most promising approach in synovial sarcomas.

Abstract CT221: A phase I study of intratumoral BO-112 and nivolumab for resectable soft tissue sarcoma

Abstract Background: BO-112 is a double stranded synthetic RNA formulated with polyethyleneimine. By mimicking a viral infection, it mobilizes the immune system, including activation of dendritic cells, CD8 T-cell infiltration, induction of interferons, and enhancement of immunogenic cell death. Intratumoral (IT) BO-112 has been tested both alone and in combination with anti-PD-1 therapies in a phase I trial (NCT02828098), which showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 11% and disease control rate (DCR) of 46% in patients with multiple tumor types and a tolerable safety profile. While anti-PD1 therapies have shown promise in select subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma (STS), their overall efficacy in STS has been limited. We hypothesize that BO-112, in combination with radiotherapy (RT), may reverse resistance to anti-PD1 therapy in a subset of patients with STS. Methods: This is an exploratory phase I study of IT BO-112 in combination with nivolumab in patients with STS planning to undergo neoadjuvant RT (NCT04420975) and surgery. BO-112 at a dose of 1 mg will be administered intratumorally on days 1, 8 and 15; nivolumab 240 mg will be administered intravenously on days 8 and 22. Patients will receive 5 fractions of neoadjuvant RT between day 8 and 12, followed by surgical resection between days 26 and 50. Twenty patients with newly diagnosed high grade histologically confirmed STS of the extremity, trunk or retroperitoneum amenable for IT injection will be included. Allowed histological subtypes are undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma and synovial sarcoma.The primary objective is to explore the safety of BO-112 in combination with nivolumab in patients undergoing preoperative RT. The study includes stopping rules based on the frequency of dose limiting toxicities. As an exploratory single arm pilot study results will be reported using purely descriptive statistics. Tumor and blood specimens collected at baseline, at each IT BO-112 injection, and surgery will allow evaluation of the dynamic changes in tumor immune infiltration, T cell receptor repertoire, and tumor necrosis. These dynamic changes, along with putative biomarkers, such as baseline tumor mutational load, copy number alterations, tumor immune composition, tumor and immune gene expression signatures, and PD-L1 expression, will be related to individual subject tumor responses. The 2-year rate of local recurrence and distant metastasis will also be assessed. This study began accrual in December 2020 and is open. Citation Format: Anusha Kalbasi, Fritz C. Eilber, Arun Singh, Bartosz Chmielowski, Nicholas Bernthal, Brooke Crawford, Joseph G. Crompton, Varand Ghazikhanian, Leanne Seeger, Kambiz Motamedi, Michael L. Douek, Carol Felix, Vincent Basehart, Helena Escuin-Ordinas, Marisol Quintero, Sonia Macia. A phase I study of intratumoral BO-112 and nivolumab for resectable soft tissue sarcoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr CT221.

Eribulin and gemcitabine in previously treated patients with advanced liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma: A multicenter, single-arm, phase 2-trial.

11516 Background: Eribulin and gemcitabine have shown encouraging efficacy in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) as a monotherapy. Here, we evaluated the activity and safety of combined use of eribulin and gemcitabine in two most common histologic types of STS, liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. Methods: In this non-randomized, multi-center phase 2 study, patients were included if they had progressive disease after one or two prior chemotherapy including doxorubicin. Patient were given eribulin 1.4 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 on day1 and day 8 every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival rate at 12 weeks (PFSR12wks) with null and alternative hypothesis of PFSR12wks≤20.0% and ≥40.0%, respectively. Results: Of 37 patients included, 22 had leiomyosarcoma, and 15 had liposarcoma. At 12-weeks after treatment, 16 and (72.7%) 11 (73.3%) patients in leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma were progression-free. Overall PFSR12wks was 73.0%, satisfying the primary endpoint. Objective response rate, disease control rate, median progression-free survival, and median overall survival were 16.2%, 78.4%, 23.9 weeks, and 88.9 weeks, without any statistical differences according to histologic subtypes. No new safety signals and treatment-related death were observed. Conclusions: Eribulin and gemcitabine showed promising activity and manageable safety profile in patients with STS of liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma histology. Updated outcomes for ongoing patients will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT03810976.

Continuous 14 Day Infusional Ifosfamide for Management of Soft-Tissue and Bone Sarcoma: A Single Centre Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Simple SummaryIfosfamide is commonly used to treat patients with soft-tissue and bone sarcoma, with greater efficacy observed with higher doses that generally require inpatient treatment and may result in significant myelosuppression and renal toxicity. In the palliative setting, continuous infusional ifosfamide (14 g/m2/14 days) is increasingly employed in an attempt to mitigate toxicity, and for ease of administration as an outpatient regimen. This study describes the efficacy and toxicity profile of 14-day continuous infusional ifosfamide in adult and teenage young adult (TYA) patients with relapsed or metastatic soft-tissue and bone sarcoma.Ifosfamide is used to treat soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) and bone sarcoma (BS), with improved efficacy at doses above 9 g/m2/cycle. To mitigate treatment-associated toxicity with higher doses, continuous infusional ifosfamide is increasingly used. However, clinical outcome data remain limited. Single-centre retrospective analysis of patients treated with four-weekly infusional ifosfamide (14 g/m2/14d) between August 2012 and February 2019 was conducted. Radiological response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity were evaluated. Eighty patients were treated—46 with STS and 34 with BS. Patients received a median of three cycles of infusional ifosfamide (1–24). Overall disease control rate (DCR) in STS was 50% (23 of 46 patients), with a median PFS of 3.8 months, and median OS of 13.0 months. In synovial sarcoma (SS), DCR was 80% (12/15), median PFS 8.1 months and median OS 20.9 months. Overall DCR in BS (34 patients) was 30%, with a median PFS of 2.5 months and median OS of 6.2 months. Five patients (6%) stopped treatment due to toxicity alone within the first two cycles. A further 10 patients stopped treatment due to toxicity during later treatment cycles (12%) and 18 patients (23%) required dose modification. Forty-five patients (56%) experienced grade (G) 3/4 haematological toxicity, with 12 episodes of febrile neutropenia and one treatment-related death. Twenty-seven patients (34%) experienced G3/4 non-haematological toxicity, most commonly nausea and vomiting (10, 13%). In summary, infusional ifosfamide has efficacy in STS, most notable in SS. Benefit appears limited in BS. Treatment is associated with toxicity that requires specialist supportive care.

Prediction of Treatment Efficacy in Soft Tissue Sarcomas through Analysis of Habitat Heterogeneity in Mpmri

Prediction of Treatment Efficacy in Soft Tissue Sarcomas through Analysis of Habitat Heterogeneity in Mpmri

CUL4A and ERCC1 genesas predictive factors for trabectedin efficacy in advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS): A Spanish Group for Sarcoma Research (GEIS) study.

11048Background: The most studied predictive factors for trabectedin (T) efficacy in STS are related to the nucleotide excision repair (NER) and homologous recombination (HHR) genes. Thus, T is mor...

Epigenetic re-expression of HIF-2α suppresses soft tissue sarcoma growth.

In soft tissue sarcomas (STS), low intratumoural O2 (hypoxia) is a poor prognostic indicator. HIF-1α mediates key transcriptional responses to hypoxia, and promotes STS metastasis; however, the role of the related HIF-2α protein is unknown. Surprisingly, here we show that HIF-2α inhibits high-grade STS cell growth in vivo, as loss of HIF-2α promotes sarcoma proliferation and increases calcium and mTORC1 signalling in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma. We find that most human STS have lower levels of EPAS1 (the gene encoding HIF-2α) expression relative to normal tissue. Many cancers, including STS, contain altered epigenetics, and our findings define an epigenetic mechanism whereby EPAS1 is silenced during sarcoma progression. The clinically approved HDAC inhibitor Vorinostat specifically increases HIF-2α, but not HIF-1α, accumulation in multiple STS subtypes. Vorinostat inhibits STS tumour growth, an effect ameliorated by HIF-2α deletion, implicating HIF-2α as a biomarker for Vorinostat efficacy in STS.

Hypertension (HTN) as a potential biomarker of efficacy in pazopanib-treated patients with advanced non-adipocytic soft tissue sarcoma. A retrospective study based on European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) 62043 and 62072 trials

BackgroundReliable biomarkers of pazopanib’s efficacy in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are lacking. Hypertension (HTN) is an on-target effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-receptor inhibitors such as pazopanib. We evaluated the association of pazopanib-induced HTN with antitumour efficacy in patients with metastatic non-adipocytic STS. MethodsAssociations between pazopanib-induced-HTN and antitumour efficacy were retrospectively assessed across 2 prospective studies (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) study 62043 and 62072) in metastatic STS patients who received pazopanib 800mg daily. Only patients with baseline blood pressure (BP)<150/90mmHg, were included. BP was measured monthly. HTN was reported according to National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria Adverse Events (NCI-CTC AE) grading (v3.0), and as absolute differences compared to baseline. The effect of HTN developing in patients without baseline anti-hypertensive medication was assessed on progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using a landmark analysis stratified by study; univariately using the Kaplan–Meier method and a log-rank test, and in a multivariate Cox regression model after adjustment for important prognostic factors. ResultsOf the 337 patients eligible for this analysis, 21.7% received anti-hypertensive medication at baseline and had a similar PFS and OS compared to those who did not. In patients without baseline anti-hypertensive medication, 38.6% developed HTN. As the majority of patients developing HTN did so within 5weeks after initiation of pazopanib (68.6%), this time point was used as landmark. Univariately, there was no effect on PFS or OS from occurrence of HTN within 5weeks of treatment expressed either in NCI-CTC AE criteria or as maximal differences from baseline in systolic and diastolic BP. Also in multivariate analysis, after adjusting for important prognostic factors, the occurrence of HTN expressed in the different parameters was not associated with PFS and OS. ConclusionsIn this retrospective analysis, pazopanib-induced HTN did not correlate with outcome in pazopanib-treated STS patients. The occurrence of HTN cannot serve as biomarker in this setting.

BRCA1 haplotype and clinical benefit of trabectedin in soft-tissue sarcoma patients.

Background:This study aimed to determine whether the BRCA1 haplotype was associated with trabectedin efficacy in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) patients.Methods:We analysed BRCA1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in tumour specimens from 135 advanced STS patients enrolled in published phase 2 trials or in a compassionate-use programme of trabectedin. Forty-four advanced STS patients treated with doxorubicin and 85 patients with localised STS served as controls. The 6-month nonprogression rate and overall survival (OS) were analysed according to BRCA1 haplotype using log-rank tests.Results:A favourable BRCA1 haplotype (presence of at least one AAAG allele) was significantly associated with an improved 6-month nonprogression rate. It was the only variable significantly associated with OS. No correlations were found between outcomes for patients with localised or advanced STS treated with doxorubicin.Conclusions:The BRCA1 haplotype represents a potential DNA repair biomarker that can be used for the prediction of response to trabectedin in STS patients.

Combining targeted agents with modern radiotherapy in soft tissue sarcomas.

Improved understanding of soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) biology has led to better distinction and subtyping of these diseases with the hope of exploiting the molecular characteristics of each subtype to develop appropriately targeted treatment regimens. In the care of patients with extremity STS, adjunctive radiation therapy (RT) is used to facilitate limb and function, preserving surgeries while maintaining five-year local control above 85%. In contrast, for STS originating from nonextremity anatomical sites, the rate of local recurrence is much higher (five-year local control is approximately 50%) and a major cause of death and morbidity in these patients. Incorporating novel technological advancements to administer accurate RT in combination with novel radiosensitizing agents could potentially improve local control and overall survival. RT efficacy in STS can be increased by modulating biological pathways such as angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation, cell survival signaling, and cancer-host immune interactions. Previous experiences, advancements, ongoing research, and current clinical trials combining RT with agents modulating one or more of the above pathways are reviewed. The standard clinical management of patients with STS with pretreatment biopsy, neoadjuvant treatment, and primary surgery provides an opportune disease model for interrogating translational hypotheses. The purpose of this review is to outline a strategic vision for clinical translation of preclinical findings and to identify appropriate targeted agents to combine with radiotherapy in the treatment of STS from different sites and/or different histology subtypes.

Trabectedin therapy for sarcomas

The therapeutic armamentarium of adult soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) has widened in recent years. This was also due to increased consideration of their variegated histology. Trabectedin is a new chemotherapeutic agent, which significantly strengthens the armamentarium along this direction. Trabectedin has proven efficacy in STS, mainly in leiomyosarcomas, liposarcomas, and other translocation-related sarcomas. Among further subgroups, its activity in uterine leiomyosarcomas is noteworthy. Moreover, it exerts special antitumor activity in myxoid liposarcomas, with distinct patterns of tumor response. Also, its mechanism of action is distinct in myxoid liposarcoma, apparently overcoming lipogenic cell differentiation block due to the tumor chromosomal translocation. Apart from histology, DNA repair mechanisms have been investigated as a predictive factor, with retrospective evidence in support. Combination of trabectedin with doxorubicin has limitations due to additive toxicity. Trabectedin is well tolerated as a single agent. Occasional major myelosuppression is possible but proper patient selection (with a focus on liver tests) and possibly steroid premedication are of help. Trabectedin is a new marine-derived drug with a definite role in the 'histology-driven' medical therapy of STS. There is room for further investigation, to fully elucidate its efficacy in all STS and optimize tolerability.

Transcriptional Repression of Protein Kinase Cα via Sp1 by Wild Type p53 Is Involved in Inhibition of Multidrug Resistance 1 P-Glycoprotein Phosphorylation

The protein kinase C (PKC) family consists of serine/threonine protein kinases that play important roles in signal transduction, cell proliferation, and tumor formation. Recent studies found that PKCs are commonly overexpressed in human tumors, including soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Overexpression of PKCs contributes to invasion and migration of tumor cells and induction of angiogenesis. PKC can also phosphorylate the multidrug resistance (MDR) gene-encoded P-glycoprotein and induce MDR phenotype. Our previous studies showed that mutation of p53 enhanced STS metastasis and mediated the MDR phenotype. Restoring wild type (WT) p53 in STS cells containing mutant p53 sensitized the cells to chemotherapy. In the present study, we found that PKCalpha protein expression is inhibited by WT p53 partly due to reduced PKCalpha mRNA expression in STS cells, but p53 does not affect PKCalpha mRNA stability. Deletion and mutation analysis of the PKCalpha promoter fused to the luciferase reporter gene identified a Sp1 binding site (-244/-234) in the PKCalpha promoter that is required for p53-mediated inhibition of PKCalpha promoter activity. More importantly, PKCalpha phosphorylates and activates MDR1 P-glycoprotein, whereas inhibition of PKCalpha by p53 leads to decreased MDR1 phosphorylation in STS cells, which sensitizes STS cells to chemotherapeutic agents. These data indicate that WT p53 may resensitize STS to chemotherapeutic agents by reducing MDR1 phosphorylation via transcriptional repression of PKCalpha expression. Thus, molecular-based therapies targeting mutant p53 and PKCalpha may be an effective new strategy to improve chemotherapeutic efficacy in STS.

Congrès de la Société d'hématologie et d'immunologie pédiatrique 12-13 Octobre 2004. Le Kremlin-Bicêtre

Reliable biomarkers of pazopanib’s efficacy in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are lacking. Hypertension (HTN) is an on-target effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-receptor inhibitors such as pazopanib. We evaluated the association of pazopanib-induced HTN with antitumour efficacy in patients with metastatic non-adipocytic STS.Associations between pazopanib-induced-HTN and antitumour efficacy were retrospectively assessed across 2 prospective studies (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) study 62043 and 62072) in metastatic STS patients who received pazopanib 800 mg daily. Only patients with baseline blood pressure (BP) < 150/90 mmHg, were included. BP was measured monthly. HTN was reported according to National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria Adverse Events (NCI-CTC AE) grading (v3.0), and as absolute differences compared to baseline. The effect of HTN developing in patients without baseline anti-hypertensive medication was assessed on progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using a landmark analysis stratified by study; univariately using the Kaplan–Meier method and a log-rank test, and in a multivariate Cox regression model after adjustment for important prognostic factors.Of the 337 patients eligible for this analysis, 21.7% received anti-hypertensive medication at baseline and had a similar PFS and OS compared to those who did not. In patients without baseline anti-hypertensive medication, 38.6% developed HTN. As the majority of patients developing HTN did so within 5 weeks after initiation of pazopanib (68.6%), this time point was used as landmark. Univariately, there was no effect on PFS or OS from occurrence of HTN within 5 weeks of treatment expressed either in NCI-CTC AE criteria or as maximal differences from baseline in systolic and diastolic BP. Also in multivariate analysis, after adjusting for important prognostic factors, the occurrence of HTN expressed in the different parameters was not associated with PFS and OS.In this retrospective analysis, pazopanib-induced HTN did not correlate with outcome in pazopanib-treated STS patients. The occurrence of HTN cannot serve as biomarker in this setting.