Targeted long-read sequencing of the Ewing sarcoma 6p25.1 susceptibility locus identifies germline-somatic interactions with EWSR1-FLI1 binding.

Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a rare bone and soft tissue malignancy driven by chromosomal translocations encoding chimeric transcription factors, such as EWSR1-FLI1, that bind GGAA motifs forming novel enhancers that alter nearby expression. We propose that germline microsatellite variation at the 6p25.1 EwS susceptibility locus could impact downstream gene expression and EwS biology. We performed targeted long-read sequencing of EwS blood DNA to characterize variation and genomic features important for EWSR1-FLI1 binding. We identified 50 microsatellite alleles at 6p25.1 and observed that EwS-affected individuals had longer alleles (>135 bp) with more GGAA repeats. The 6p25.1 GGAA microsatellite showed chromatin features of an EWSR1-FLI1 enhancer and regulated expression of RREB1, a transcription factor associated with RAS/MAPK signaling. RREB1 knockdown reduced proliferation and clonogenic potential and reduced expression of cell cycle and DNA replication genes. Our integrative analysis at 6p25.1 details increased binding of longer GGAA microsatellite alleles with acquired EWSR-FLI1 to promote Ewing sarcomagenesis by RREB1-mediated proliferation.

NUT carcinoma in pediatric patients: Characteristics, therapeutic regimens, and outcomes of 11 cases registered with the German Registry for Rare Pediatric Tumors (STEP).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nuclear protein of the testis (NUT) carcinoma (NC) is a rare and highly aggressive tumor defined by the presence of a somatic NUTM1 rearrangement, occurring mainly in adolescents and young adults. We analyzed the clinical and biological features of German pediatric patients (≤18 years) with NC. METHODS: This study describes the characteristics and outcome of 11 children with NC registered in the German Registry for Rare Pediatric Tumors (STEP). RESULTS: Eleven patients with a median age of 13.2 years (range 6.6-17.8) were analyzed. Malignant misdiagnoses were made in three patients. Thoracic/mediastinal tumors were found to be the primary in six patients, head/neck in four cases; one patient had multifocal tumor with an unknown primary. All patients presented with regional lymph node involvement, eight patients (72.7%) with distant metastases. Seven patients underwent surgery, eight radiotherapy with curative intent; polychemotherapy was administered in all patients. Novel treatment strategies including immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and virotherapy were applied in three patients. Median event-free survival and overall survival were 1.5 and 6.5 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Every undifferentiated or poorly differentiated carcinoma should undergo testing for the specific rearrangement of NUTM1, in order to initiate an intense therapeutic regimen as early as possible. As in adults, only few pediatric patients with NC achieve prolonged survival. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies should be included and tested in clinical trials.

Secondary malignant neoplasms after bone and soft tissue sarcomas in children, adolescents, and young adults.

BACKGROUND: Increased survival in young sarcoma patients comes along with a higher incidence of second malignant neoplasms (SMNs). The incidence, latency, histiotype, and outcome of these patients were analyzed because this information is essential to design evidence-based long-term follow-up care programs for young sarcoma survivors. METHODS: Patients entered on clinical trials or registered in registries with a primary sarcoma in 1 of the cooperative sarcoma study groups in the framework of the Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH) were screened for SMNs. Descriptive analysis, the Kaplan-Meier method, the Gray model, the Fine-Gray model, and the Cox regression model were used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 159 out of 7079 (2.2%) patients were registered with a SMN. Among them, 104 solid SMNs (65%) and 56 hematologic SMNs (35%) occurred. Median latency from first diagnosis of sarcoma to the diagnosis of SMN was 6.8 years (range, 0-26.7 years). Cumulative incidence of SMN was 8.8% after 30 years. Five-year-survival was 67.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 66.0-68.2) for the 7079 patients and it was 45.1% (95% CI, 36.2-53.6) after the diagnosis of a SMN (subcohort of n = 159 patients). CONCLUSIONS: There is a remarkable high cumulative incidence of SMNs after bone and soft tissue sarcomas in children, adolescents, and young adults. Therefore, effective transition as well as risk adapted long-term follow-up care programs should be developed and offered to young sarcoma survivors. LAY SUMMARY: Bone sarcomas and soft tissue tumors are rare tumors in children, adolescents, and young adults. The treatment varies, but may comprise chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. Developing a subsequent malignant tumor is a long-term risk for the patients. To better characterize this risk, we analyzed the data of 7079 patients (up to 21 years old) with bone sarcomas or soft tissue tumors. Our findings provide a basis to counsel young sarcoma survivors on their individual risk of subsequent malignant tumors. Moreover, these data can help to establish recommendations for aftercare in young sarcoma survivors.

Outcomes from a mechanistic biomarker multi-arm and randomised study of liposomal MTP-PE (Mifamurtide) in metastatic and/or recurrent osteosarcoma (EuroSarc-Memos trial).

The phase III clinical study of adjuvant liposomal muramyl tripeptide (MTP-PE) in resected high-grade osteosarcoma (OS) documented positive results that have been translated into regulatory approval, supporting initial promise for innate immune therapies in OS. There remains, however, no new approved treatment such as MTP-PE for either metastatic or recurrent OS. Whilst the addition of different agents, including liposomal MTP-PE, to surgery for metastatic or recurrent high-grade osteosarcoma has tried to improve response rates, a mechanistic hiatus exists in terms of a detailed understanding the therapeutic strategies required in advanced disease. Here we report a Bayesian designed multi-arm, multi-centre, open-label phase II study with randomisation in patients with metastatic and/or recurrent OS, designed to investigate how patients with OS might respond to liposomal MTP-PE, either given alone or in combination with ifosfamide. Despite the trial closing because of poor recruitment within the allocated funding period, with no objective responses in eight patients, we report the design and feasibility outcomes for patients registered into the trial. We demonstrate the feasibility of the Bayesian design, European collaboration, tissue collection with genomic analysis and serum cytokine characterisation. Further mechanistic investigation of liposomal MTP-PE alone and in combination with other agents remains warranted in metastatic OS.

Multidisciplinary Network ActiveOncoKids guidelines for providing movement and exercise in pediatric oncology: Consensus-based recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric cancer leads to reduced participation in exercise and only few patients comply with national physical activity recommendations. Physically inactive behavior hinders motor development and increases physical and psychological adverse effects of therapy and incidence of sequelae. Currently, there is neither nationwide coverage nor uniform level of knowledge regarding exercise promotion. The objective of the guideline is to facilitate qualified exercise interventions through standardized procedures in addition to regular physiotherapy and overall avoid physical inactivity in pediatric cancer patients. METHODS: This guideline addresses the multidisciplinary treatment team and informs physiotherapists and decision-makers in tertiary care hospitals and health insurance companies. The requirements of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany were followed. Contents were based on best practice experience of experts, patient advocates, as well as on scientific evidence. RESULTS: The guideline includes 11 recommendations. Recommendations 1-4 declare the relevance of implementing exercise interventions and address general framework conditions. Recommendations 5-11 focus on the design of exercise programs, prevention and safety issues, relative contraindications for specific training loads, and options to overcome barriers to exercise. CONCLUSION: This guideline summarizes existing and established structures and evidence in the context of movement and exercise in pediatric oncology. It takes into consideration the rights, varying needs, and characteristics of children and adolescents as well as national and international experience in this field. In the future, relevant research gaps need to be addressed by high-quality intervention studies to provide the scientific background for a stronger evidence-based guideline.

Fertility preservation for male patients with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer: recommendations from the PanCareLIFE Consortium and the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group.

Male patients with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer are at an increased risk for infertility if their treatment adversely affects reproductive organ function. Future fertility is a primary concern of patients and their families. Variations in clinical practice are barriers to the timely implementation of interventions that preserve fertility. As part of the PanCareLIFE Consortium, in collaboration with the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group, we reviewed the current literature and developed a clinical practice guideline for fertility preservation in male patients who are diagnosed with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer at age 25 years or younger, including guidance on risk assessment and available methods for fertility preservation. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was used to grade the available evidence and to form the recommendations. Recognising the need for global consensus, this clinical practice guideline used existing evidence and international expertise to rigorously develop transparent recommendations that are easy to use to facilitate the care of male patients with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer who are at high risk of fertility impairment and to enhance their quality of life.

Communication and ethical considerations for fertility preservation for patients with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer: recommendations from the PanCareLIFE Consortium and the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group.

Patients with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer who will be treated with gonadotoxic therapies are at increased risk for infertility. Many patients and their families desire biological children but effective communication about treatment-related infertility risk and procedures for fertility preservation does not always happen. The PanCareLIFE Consortium and the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group reviewed the literature and developed a clinical practice guideline that provides recommendations for ongoing communication methods for fertility preservation for patients who were diagnosed with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer at age 25 years or younger and their families. Moreover, the guideline panel formulated considerations of the ethical implications that are associated with these procedures. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was used to grade the evidence and recommendations. In this clinical practice guideline, existing evidence and international expertise are combined to develop transparent recommendations that are easy to use to facilitate ongoing communication between health-care providers and patients with childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer who might be at high risk for fertility impairment and their families.

Possible modification of BRSK1 on the risk of alkylating chemotherapy-related reduced ovarian function.

STUDY QUESTION: Do genetic variations in the DNA damage response pathway modify the adverse effect of alkylating agents on ovarian function in female childhood cancer survivors (CCS)? SUMMARY ANSWER: Female CCS carrying a common BR serine/threonine kinase 1 (BRSK1) gene variant appear to be at 2.5-fold increased odds of reduced ovarian function after treatment with high doses of alkylating chemotherapy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Female CCS show large inter-individual variability in the impact of DNA-damaging alkylating chemotherapy, given as treatment of childhood cancer, on adult ovarian function. Genetic variants in DNA repair genes affecting ovarian function might explain this variability. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: CCS for the discovery cohort were identified from the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group (DCOG) LATER VEVO-study, a multi-centre retrospective cohort study evaluating fertility, ovarian reserve and risk of premature menopause among adult female 5-year survivors of childhood cancer. Female 5-year CCS, diagnosed with cancer and treated with chemotherapy before the age of 25 years, and aged 18 years or older at time of study were enrolled in the current study. Results from the discovery Dutch DCOG-LATER VEVO cohort (n = 285) were validated in the pan-European PanCareLIFE (n = 465) and the USA-based St. Jude Lifetime Cohort (n = 391). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: To evaluate ovarian function, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were assessed in both the discovery cohort and the replication cohorts. Using additive genetic models in linear and logistic regression, five genetic variants involved in DNA damage response were analysed in relation to cyclophosphamide equivalent dose (CED) score and their impact on ovarian function. Results were then examined using fixed-effect meta-analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Meta-analysis across the three independent cohorts showed a significant interaction effect (P = 3.0 × 10-4) between rs11668344 of BRSK1 (allele frequency = 0.34) among CCS treated with high-dose alkylating agents (CED score ≥8000 mg/m2), resulting in a 2.5-fold increased odds of a reduced ovarian function (lowest AMH tertile) for CCS carrying one G allele compared to CCS without this allele (odds ratio genotype AA: 2.01 vs AG: 5.00). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: While low AMH levels can also identify poor responders in assisted reproductive technology, it needs to be emphasized that AMH remains a surrogate marker of ovarian function. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Further research, validating our findings and identifying additional risk-contributing genetic variants, may enable individualized counselling regarding treatment-related risks and necessity of fertility preservation procedures in girls with cancer. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by the PanCareLIFE project that has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 602030. In addition, the DCOG-LATER VEVO study was funded by the Dutch Cancer Society (Grant no. VU 2006-3622) and by the Children Cancer Free Foundation (Project no. 20) and the St Jude Lifetime cohort study by NCI U01 CA195547. The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Number of metastases and their response to chemotherapy impact survival of patients with isolated lung metastases from bone-derived sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) is an established treatment for selected patients with metastatic sarcomas. The aim of this study was to examine our institutional experience and evaluate factors predicting outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing PM for bone sarcoma in our center from 2001 to 2019. Survival was calculated from the date of PM. Impact on survival of clinical parameters was assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (27 males, 71%) were included. Histology was osteosarcoma (n = 20, 53%), Ewing sarcoma (n = 13, 34%) and chondrosarcoma (n = 5, 13%). Twelve patients (31.5%) had synchronous metastases, all received chemotherapy before PM. Median number of metastases was 3 (1 to 29). Twenty (53%) patients had mediastinal lymph node sampling. One patient had positive lymph nodes. Ninety-day mortality was 0%. Three and 5-year PFS were 24.5 and 21%, respectively. Three and 5-year OS were 64.5 and 38.5%, respectively. More than three metastases and progression under chemotherapy were significant independent predictors for OS. CONCLUSION: PM is a safe procedure and encouraging long-term outcome can be achieved. Patients with progression of pulmonary metastases under chemotherapy as well as patients with more than three metastases had significantly worse OS.

Surgical Treatment for Primary Chest Wall Sarcoma: A Single-Institution Study.

BACKGROUND: Primary sarcomas of the chest wall are rare aggressive tumors. Surgery is part of the multimodal treatment. We describe our institutional patient cohort and evaluate prognostic factors. METHODS: All patients who had curative intent surgery for primary chest wall sarcoma from 2004 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Impact on survival-calculated from the date of surgery until last follow-up- was assessed for the following variables: age, gender, type of resection, size, grading, stage, completeness of resection, and neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (15 males, 65%) with a median age of 54 y (4 to 82) were included. Most common histology was chondrosarcoma (n = 5, 22%). Seven patients (30%) received neoadjuvant and 13 patients (57%) received adjuvant treatment. R0 resection was achieved in 83%. Extended chest wall resection was performed in 14 patients (61%), including lung (n = 13, 57%), diaphragm (n = 2, 9%) and pericardium (n = 1, 4%). Morbidity and 90-day mortality were 23% and 0%, respectively. Three- and 5-year overall survival was 53% and 35%, respectively. R0 resection was predictor of overall survival (P = 0.029). Tumor grade and extended resections were predictors for recurrence (P = 0.034 and P = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection of primary chest wall sarcoma is a safe procedure even when extended resection is required.

Pain in survivors of Ewing sarcoma: Prevalence, associated factors and prediction of recurrence.

BACKGROUND: While the prognosis of patients with Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is improving, little is known about the frequency of pain and its risk factors in survivors of EwS. This study aims to analyse the prevalence and risk factors of pain and its predictive value for recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In patients with remission after treatment of EwS, frequency and characteristics of pain within the first 5 years of follow up were assessed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 80 patients, 37 (46%) presented with at least one episode of pain. Chronic pain (>3 months) was observed in 10 patients (13%). Experience of at least one episode of pain was associated with prior combined local treatment (surgery and radiation compared to surgery alone; odds ratio [OR] 5.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-34.9, P = .007). A total of 59 episodes of pain were observed, including 47 acute and 12 chronic episodes. Lower limb pain accounted for 46% (27/59) of all episodes of pain, and was associated with primary tumour of the pelvis or lower extremity (OR 4.29, 95% CI 1.18-18.21, P = .025), which represented 64% (51/80) of all EwS. The positive predictive value of pain for recurrence was only 12%. CONCLUSION: Pain is a common problem in survivors of EwS, which mostly affects the lower extremity, and should be regularly assessed. Interventions to reduce pain may be particularly important in patients with combined local treatment with surgery and radiation, who seem to be at considerably increased risk for pain. Patients presenting with pain should be examined for recurrence.

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation for children, adolescents, and young adults with primary metastatic Ewing sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Ewing sarcomas are solid tumours of the bone and soft tissue, that usually affect children, adolescents, and young adults. The incidence is about three cases per million a year, with a peak incidence at 12 years of age. Metastatic disease is detected in about 20 % to 30% of people, and is typically found in the lungs, bone, bone marrow, or a combination of these. Presence of metastatic disease at diagnosis (primary metastatic disease) is the most important adverse prognostic factor, and is associated with a five-year survival lower than 30%. High-dose chemotherapy (HDC) followed by autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is used in various solid tumours with unfavourable prognoses in children, adolescents, and young adults. It has also been used as rescue after multifocal radiation of metastases. The hypothesis is that HDC regimens may overcome the resistance to standard multidrug chemotherapy and improve survival rates. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation compared with conventional chemotherapy in improving event-free survival, overall survival, quality-adjusted survival, and progression-free survival in children, adolescents, and young adults with primary metastatic Ewing sarcoma, and to determine the toxicity of the treatment. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, conference proceedings from major international cancer-related conferences, and ongoing trial registers until January 2020. We also searched reference lists of included articles and review articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or (historical) controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing the effectiveness of HDC and AHCT with conventional chemotherapy for children, adolescents, and young adults (younger than 30 years at the date of diagnostic biopsy) with primary metastatic Ewing sarcoma. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: We identified one RCT, which investigated the effects of HDC with AHCT versus conventional chemotherapy with whole lung irradiation (WLI) in people with Ewing sarcoma metastasised to the lungs only at diagnosis. Only a selection of the participants were eligible for our review (N = 267: HDC with AHCT group N = 134; control group N = 133). There may be no difference in event-free survival between the two treatment groups (hazard ratio (HR) 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59 to 1.17; low-certainty evidence). We downgraded one level each because of study limitations and imprecision. Overall survival and toxicity were not reported separately for the participants eligible for this review, while quality-adjusted survival and progression-free survival were not reported at all. We did not identify any studies that addressed children, adolescents, and young adults with Ewing sarcoma with metastases to other locations. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In people with Ewing sarcoma with primary metastases to locations other than the lungs, there is currently no evidence from RCTs or CCTs to determine the efficacy of HDC with AHCT compared to conventional chemotherapy. Based on low-certainty evidence from one study (267 participants), there may be no difference in event-free survival between children, adolescents, and young adults with primary pulmonary metastatic Ewing sarcoma who receive HDC with AHCT and those who receive conventional chemotherapy with WLI. Further high-quality research is needed. Results are anticipated for the EuroEwing 2008R3 study, in which the effects of HDC with treosulfan and melphalan followed by AHCT on survival, in people with Ewing sarcoma with metastatic disease to bone, other sites, or both were explored. Achieving high-quality studies in a selection of people with rare sarcoma requires long-term, multi-centre, international participant inclusion.

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation for children, adolescents, and young adults with first recurrence of Ewing sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Ewing sarcoma is a solid tumour, which is the second most common primary bone malignancy in children, often occurring in the long bones and pelvis. An incidence rate of 4.5 per million a year is reported, with a peak incidence of 11 per million at the age of 12 years. Despite more intensive chemotherapy, 30% to 40% of young people with Ewing sarcoma will have recurrence of the disease. Less than 30% of young people with a recurrence of Ewing sarcoma are alive at 24 months, and less than 10% are alive at 48 months. High-dose chemotherapy (HDC), followed by autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT), is used in a variety of paediatric groups with diverse solid tumours. The hypothesis is that HDC regimens may overcome resistance to standard polychemotherapy, and this way may eradicate minimal residual disease, leading to improved survival after a first recurrence of disease. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of HDC with AHCT versus conventional chemotherapy in improving event-free survival, overall survival, quality-adjusted survival, and progression-free survival in children, adolescents, and young adults with first recurrence of Ewing sarcoma, and to determine the toxicity of the treatment. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, conference proceedings from the SIOP, ASPHO, CTOS, ASBMT, EBMT, and EMSOS, and two trial registries in January 2020. We also searched reference lists of relevant articles and review articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: We planned to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or (historical) controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing the effectiveness of HDC plus AHCT with conventional chemotherapy for children, adolescents, and young adults (up to 30 years old at the date of diagnostic biopsy) with a first recurrence of Ewing sarcoma. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: We did not identify any eligible studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Since we did not identify any eligible studies, we are unable to draw any conclusions about the efficacy and toxicity of HDC with AHCT versus conventional chemotherapy in children, adolescents, and young adults with a first recurrence of Ewing sarcoma. Further high-quality research is urgently needed.

Assessment of treatment responses in children and adolescents with Ewing sarcoma with metabolic tumor parameters derived from 18F-FDG-PET/CT and circulating tumor DNA.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to perform a prospective integrated analysis of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to assess responses to multimodal chemotherapy in children and adolescents suffering from Ewing sarcoma (EwS). METHODS: A total of 20 patients with histologically confirmed EwS underwent multiple 18F-FDG-PET/CT, performed at the time of each patient's initial diagnosis and after the second and fifth induction chemotherapy block (EWING2008 treatment protocol, NCT00987636). Additional PET examinations were performed as clinically indicated in some patients, e.g., in patients suspected of having progressive or relapsing disease. All 263 18F-FDG-positive lesions in the field of view suggestive of tumor tissue were assessed quantitatively to calculate PET-derived parameters, including whole-body metabolic tumor volume (wb-MTV) and whole-body total lesion glycolysis (wb-TLG), as well as the following data: standardized uptake value (SUV)max and SUVmean. Tumor-specific ctDNA in patient plasma samples was quantified using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), and the correlations between ctDNA levels and PET-derived parameters were analyzed. Metabolic responses to multimodal chemotherapy as assessed with PET-parameters were compared to biochemical responses as assessed with changes in ctDNA levels. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent a total of 87 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans, which detected 263 FDG-positive tumor lesions. Significant correlations between SUVmax, SUVmean, wb-MTV and wb-TLG values, and ctDNA levels were observed (all p < 0.0001). All patients suffering from EwS, with histology serving as gold standard, also presented with a positive corresponding ctDNA sample and a positive 18F-FDG-PET/CT examination before initiation of therapy. There were no false-negative results. Evaluation of treatment response after the fifth block of induction chemotherapy showed that the agreement between the metabolic response and biochemical response was 90%, which was statistically significant (Cohen κ = 0.62; p < 0.05). Non-detectable ctDNA after the second block of induction chemotherapy was associated with complete biochemical and metabolic responses after the fifth block of induction chemotherapy in 16/17 patients (94%). During a median follow-up period of 36 months (range: 8-104 months), four patients had tumor relapses, which, in all cases, were accompanied by an increase in plasma ctDNA levels and a positive 18F-FDG-PET/CT. No false-negative results were observed in the study cohort. Complete biochemical and metabolic responses after the fifth block of induction chemotherapy had a high positive predictive value for disease remission during the follow-up period; specifically, the positive predictive value was 88%. CONCLUSION: The combination of 18F-FDG-PET/CT and ctDNA quantification is a very promising noninvasive tool for assessing treatment responses and detecting tumor relapses in children and young adolescents suffering from EwS who are undergoing multimodal chemotherapy.

Correction to: Assessment of treatment responses in children and adolescents with Ewing sarcoma with metabolic tumor parameters derived from 18F-FDG-PET/CT and circulating tumor DNA.

The author names and family names of the originally published article was inversed. Correct presentation is presented here.

Multimodality treatment including surgery for primary pulmonary sarcoma: Size does matter.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary pulmonary sarcoma (PPS) accounts for less than 1.1% of all pulmonary tumors. Few outcome data are reported. We evaluated outcome and prognostic factors in our series. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent resection for PPS in our center from 2002 to 2018. Survival was calculated from the date of surgery until last follow-up. Impact on survival of gender, type of lung resection, completeness of resection, grade, size, and TNM staging for lung cancer and soft tissue sarcoma (STS) was assessed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were included. Eight (61.5%) patients received neoadjuvant treatment. Median tumor size at diagnosis was 11.5 cm (1-30 cm). Type of lung resection was wedge (n = 2, 15%), lobectomy (n = 4, 31%), intrapericardial (n = 3, 23%), and extrapleural pneumonectomies (n = 4, 31%). In-hospital mortality was 8%. Overall 5-year survival was 60%. Median disease-free survival was 17 months. Tumor size was a predictor for survival (P = .02) and recurrence (P = .05). Gender (P = .04) and type of lung resection (P = .04) were predictors of survival. T stage for STS of trunk and extremity, and TNM stage for lung cancer were predictors for recurrence (P = .03 and P = .04, respectively). CONCLUSION: Surgical resection within a multimodality therapy concept in highly selected patients can offer good long-term outcome.

Determinants of utilization of cryopreservation of germ cells in adolescent cancer patients in four European countries.

Infertility is a relevant late-effect following cancer treatment; yet, a large proportion of survivors cannot recall having been informed of this risk. In an intervention study, we examined if and how supportive patient information material on fertility/fertility-preserving measures influences utilization of cryopreservation in adolescent cancer patients. The control group, recruited 03/2014-01/2016, received the usual patient education at initial diagnosis. The intervention group, recruited 04/2016-10/2017, received patient education supported by a fertility flyer and brochure. Patients and parents were each asked questions on utilization of cryopreservation in a questionnaire 3 and 6 months after initial diagnosis. Patient core and therapy data were obtained from medical records. Overall, cryopreservation rates showed no significant difference between the control (32.7%, n = 37/113) and intervention group (36.6%, n = 37/101). In the control group, cryopreservation was associated with gender (OR 0.100, CI 0.023-0.427), age (OR 1.559, CI 1.077-2.258) and recalling information on fertility protection (OR 33.663, CI 2.100-539.574); in the intervention group, cryopreservation was related to gender (OR 0.093, CI 0.026-0.330) and the estimated infertility risk (OR 43.665, CI 2.157-883.974).Conclusion: Cryopreservation rates did not overall increase following the intervention; however, the individual risk seemed to be brought into attention more: Those at risk, including younger patients, cryopreserved at higher rates.What is Known:•Infertility is a relevant late-effect following adolescent cancer.•Guidelines recommend to offer fertility protection before cancer treatment.•A relevant proportion of adolescents with cancer are not aware of this risk.•Fertility protection seems under-used in cancer patients at risk for infertility.What is New:•Information material on fertility and protection in adolescents did not increase overall rates of cryopreservation.•Cryopreservation rates were improved according to individual risk for infertility.•Our flyers and brochures on fertility in cancer patients are available in various languages.

Fertility education for adolescent cancer patients: Gaps in current clinical practice in Europe.

OBJECTIVE: As adolescent cancer patients may suffer from infertility following treatment, fertility counselling is essential. Our aim was to explore the current situation in four European countries in terms of (I) education about the risk for infertility, (II) counselling on fertility preservation, (III) patients' knowledge on fertility, (IV) sufficiency of information and (V) uptake of cryopreservation. METHODS: In total, 113 patients (13-20 years) at 11 study centres completed a self-report questionnaire three and six months after cancer diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: As many as 80.2% of participants reported having received education about the risk for infertility prior to treatment, 73.2% recalled counselling on fertility preservation. Only 52.3% stated they felt sufficiently informed to make a decision. Inability to recall counselling on fertility preservation (OR = 0.03, CI: 0.00-0.47) and female gender (OR = 0.11, CI: 0.03-0.48) was associated with lower use of cryopreservation, whereas older age was associated with higher use. CONCLUSION: Fertility counselling was available to a relatively high proportion of patients, and it did influence the utilisation of cryopreservation. However, many patients did not feel sufficiently informed. Further improvement is needed to enable adolescent cancer patients to make an informed decision on fertility preservation.

Which Factors Are Associated with Local Control and Survival of Patients with Localized Pelvic Ewing's Sarcoma? A Retrospective Analysis of Data from the Euro-EWING99 Trial.

BACKGROUND: Local treatment of pelvic Ewing's sarcoma may be challenging, and intergroup studies have focused on improving systemic treatments rather than prospectively evaluating aspects of local tumor control. The Euro-EWING99 trial provided a substantial number of patients with localized pelvic tumors treated with the same chemotherapy protocol. Because local control included surgical resection, radiation therapy, or a combination of both, we wanted to investigate local control and survival with respect to the local modality in this study cohort. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Do patients with localized sacral tumors have a lower risk of local recurrence and higher survival compared with patients with localized tumors of the innominate bones? (2) Is the local treatment modality associated with local control and survival in patients with sacral and nonsacral tumors? (3) Which local tumor- and treatment-related factors, such as response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, institution where the biopsy was performed, and surgical complications, are associated with local recurrence and patient survival in nonsacral tumors? (4) Which factors, such as persistent extraosseous tumor growth after chemotherapy or extent of bony resection, are independently associated with overall survival in patients with bone tumors undergoing surgical treatment? METHODS: Between 1998 and 2009, 1411 patients with previously untreated, histologically confirmed Ewing's sarcoma were registered in the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Ewing's sarcoma database and treated in the Euro-EWING99 trial. In all, 24% (339 of 1411) of these patients presented with a pelvic primary sarcoma, 47% (159 of 339) of which had macroscopic metastases at diagnosis and were excluded from this analysis. The data from the remaining 180 patients were reviewed retrospectively, based on follow-up data as of July 2016. The median (range) follow-up was 54 months (5 to 191) for all patients and 84 months (11 to 191) for surviving patients. The study endpoints were overall survival, local recurrence and event-free survival probability, which were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Hazard ratios (HRs) with their respective 95% CIs were estimated in a multivariate Cox regression model. RESULTS: Sacral tumors were associated with a reduced probability of local recurrence (12% [95% CI 1 to 22] versus 28% [95% CI 20 to 36] at 5 years, p = 0.032), a higher event-free survival probability (66% [95% CI 51 to 81] versus 50% [95% CI 41 to 58] at 5 years, p = 0.026) and a higher overall survival probability (72% [95% CI 57 to 87] versus 56% [95% CI 47 to 64] at 5 years, p = 0.025) compared with nonsacral tumors. With the numbers available, we found no differences between patients with sacral tumors who underwent definitive radiotherapy and those who underwent combined surgery and radiotherapy in terms of local recurrence (17% [95% CI 0 to 34] versus 0% [95% CI 0 to 20] at 5 years, p = 0.125) and overall survival probability (73% [95% CI 52 to 94] versus 78% [95% CI 56 to 99] at 5 years, p = 0.764). In nonsacral tumors, combined local treatment was associated with a lower local recurrence probability (14% [95% CI 5 to 23] versus 33% [95% CI 19 to 47] at 5 years, p = 0.015) and a higher overall survival probability (72% [95% CI 61 to 83] versus 47% [95% CI 33 to 62] at 5 years, p = 0.024) compared with surgery alone. Even in a subgroup of patients with wide surgical margins and a good histologic response to induction treatment, the combined local treatment was associated with a higher overall survival probability (87% [95% CI 74 to 100] versus 51% [95% CI 33 to 69] at 5 years, p = 0.009), compared with surgery alone.A poor histologic response to induction chemotherapy in nonsacral tumors (39% [95% CI 19 to 59] versus 64% [95% CI 52 to 76] at 5 years, p = 0.014) and the development of surgical complications after tumor resection (35% [95% CI 11 to 59] versus 68% [95% CI 58 to 78] at 5 years, p = 0.004) were associated with a lower overall survival probability in nonsacral tumors, while a tumor biopsy performed at the same institution where the tumor resection was performed was associated with lower local recurrence probability (14% [95% CI 4 to 24] versus 32% [95% CI 16 to 48] at 5 years, p = 0.035), respectively.In patients with bone tumors who underwent surgical treatment, we found that after controlling for tumor localization in the pelvis, tumor volume, and surgical margin status, patients who did not undergo complete (defined as a Type I/II resection for iliac bone tumors, a Type II/III resection for pubic bone and ischium tumors and a Type I/II/III resection for tumors involving the acetabulum, according to the Enneking classification) removal of the affected bone (HR 5.04 [95% CI 2.07 to 12.24]; p < 0.001), patients with a poor histologic response to induction chemotherapy (HR 3.72 [95% CI 1.51 to 9.21]; p = 0.004), and patients who did not receive additional radiotherapy (HR 4.34 [95% CI 1.71 to 11.05]; p = 0.002) had a higher risk of death. The analysis suggested that the same might be the case in patients with a persistent extraosseous tumor extension after induction chemotherapy (HR 4.61 [95% CI 1.03 to 20.67]; p = 0.046), although the wide CIs pointing at a possible sparse-data bias precluded any definitive conclusions. CONCLUSION: Patients with sacral Ewing's sarcoma appear to have a lower probability for local recurrence and a higher overall survival probability compared with patients with tumors of the innominate bones. Our results seem to support a recent recommendation of the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group to locally treat most sacral Ewing's sarcomas with definitive radiotherapy. Combined surgical resection and radiotherapy appear to be associated with a higher overall survival probability in nonsacral tumors compared with surgery alone, even in patients with a wide resection and a good histologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Complete removal of the involved bone, as defined above, in patients with nonsacral tumors may be associated with a decreased likelihood of local recurrence and improved overall survival. Persistent extraosseous tumor growth after induction treatment in patients with nonsacral bone tumors undergoing surgical treatment might be an important indicator of poorer overall survival probability, but the possibility of sparse-data bias in our cohort means that this factor should first be validated in future studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.