Leiomyosarcoma

P1/2, N=107, Recruiting, STORM Therapeutics LTD | N=188 --> 107 | Trial completion date: Jun 2027 --> Jun 2028 | Trial primary completion date: Dec 2026 --> Dec 2027

In cultured LMS cells, proliferation correlated with increased nuclear smoothelin positivity. These findings suggest that smoothelin is linked to proliferative capacity in SMTs, and its altered subcellular distribution may have potential utility in the pathological evaluation of SMTs.

Finally, autophagy-related analyses demonstrated increased LC3B-II levels accompanied by p62 accumulation, suggesting altered autophagic processing rather than simple activation of autophagy. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that bortezomib exerts cytotoxic effects in Ut-LMS cells through coordinated regulation of proteasome inhibition-associated apoptosis, cell cycle control, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagy-related signaling, with cell line-specific differences in stress response pathways.

Liquid biopsy holds promise for improving uLMS diagnosis and management. However, standardization and biomarker validation remain essential to achieve reliable clinical translation and enable earlier, more precise treatment strategies.

In this study, targeted next-generation sequencing using the AmpliSeq for Illumina Cancer HotSpot Panel identified pathogenic mutations in canonical cancer driver genes: tumor protein p53 (TP53) NM_000546.6:c.730G>T (p.Gly244Cys) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) NM_006206.6:c.2525A>T (p.Asp842Val) mutations in renal leiomyosarcoma and NRAS proto-oncogene, GTPase (NRAS) NM_002524.5:c.35G>T (p.Gly12Val) mutation in the ovarian tumor. These findings suggest a potential benefit of personalized therapies for XP patients with internal malignancies.

Subgroup analysis revealed a distinct transcriptomic profile in leiomyosarcoma, while gene fusion analysis detected clinically relevant alterations. These findings demonstrate that RNA-NGS provides biologically and clinically meaningful insights into the molecular landscape of soft tissue sarcomas and supports its integration into precision medicine-oriented diagnostic workflows.

P2, N=100, Recruiting, Italian Sarcoma Group | Trial primary completion date: Dec 2025 --> Dec 2026

This review article focuses on four fusion-driven soft tissue tumors which illustrate different aspects of our evolving understanding of these tumors: (1) NUTM1-rearranged sarcoma, a prototypical example of a novel, clinically significant entity defined almost entirely by molecular genetics; (2) SRF-rearranged myoid neoplasm, an entity whose recognition greatly clarifies our understanding of pediatric "leiomyosarcomas;" (3) superficial FET-ETS neurocristic tumor, a very recently described, clinically benign entity sharing identical fusion events with often-lethal Ewing sarcoma; and (4) an evolving family of glomoid/myoid neoplasms harboring EWSR1::WT1 fusions, but clearly differing from desmoplastic small round cell tumor. These examples illustrate the complexity of fusion-driven soft tissue tumors and the importance of integrating molecular genetic testing with other clinicopathological data, rather than viewing it in isolation.

A definitive diagnosis requires histopathology and immunophenotyping. Surgery is the primary treatment, but recurrence necessitates a long-term follow-up.

In addition, epithelioid fibrous histiocytoma has been reassigned to the family of tumors of uncertain differentiation. This review summarizes the key updates and newly recognized entities in the chapter on cutaneous soft tissue tumors in the 5th edition of the WHO classification of skin tumors, emphasizing their clinicopathological and molecular implications.

P2, N=30, Not yet recruiting, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

This case emphasizes including GIST in the differential diagnosis of large pelvic masses, even when imaging suggests a gynecologic origin. Definitive diagnosis relies on a multidisciplinary approach to ensure accurate classification and appropriate oncologic therapy.