Germline findings in cancer predisposing genes from a small cohort of chordoma patients.

INTRODUCTION: Chordoma is a rare slow-growing tumor that occurs along the length of the spinal axis and arises from primitive notochordal remnants (Stepanek et al., Am J Med Genet 75:335-336, 1998). Most chordomas are sporadic, but a small percentage of cases are due to hereditary cancer syndromes (HCS) such as tuberous sclerosis 1 and 2 (TSC1/2), or constitutional variants in the gene encoding brachyury T (TBXT) (Pillay et al., Nat Genet 44:1185-1187, 2012; Yang et al., Nat Genet 41:1176-1178, 2009). PURPOSE: The genetic susceptibility of these tumors is not well understood; there are only a small number of studies that have performed germline genetic testing in this population. METHODS: We performed germline genetic in chordoma patients using genomic DNA extracted by blood or saliva. CONCLUSION: We report here a chordoma cohort of 24 families with newly found germline genetic mutations in cancer predisposing genes. We discuss implications for genetic counseling, clinical management, and universal germline genetic testing for cancer patients with solid tumors.

Immune determinants of CAR-T cell expansion in solid tumor patients receiving GD2 CAR-T cell therapy.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-Ts) have remarkable efficacy in liquid tumors, but limited responses in solid tumors. We conducted a Phase I trial (NCT02107963) of GD2 CAR-Ts (GD2-CAR.OX40.28.z.iC9), demonstrating feasibility and safety of administration in children and young adults with osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma. Since CAR-T efficacy requires adequate CAR-T expansion, patients were grouped into good or poor expanders across dose levels. Patient samples were evaluated by multi-dimensional proteomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic analyses. T cell assessments identified naive T cells in pre-treatment apheresis associated with good expansion, and exhausted T cells in CAR-T products with poor expansion. Myeloid cell assessment identified CXCR3+ monocytes in pre-treatment apheresis associated with good expansion. Longitudinal analysis of post-treatment samples identified increased CXCR3- classical monocytes in all groups as CAR-T numbers waned. Together, our data uncover mediators of CAR-T biology and correlates of expansion that could be utilized to advance immunotherapies for solid tumor patients.

Longitudinal Natural History Study of Children and Adults with Rare Solid Tumors: Initial Results for First 200 Participants.

Understanding of tumor biology and identification of effective therapies is lacking for many rare tumors. My Pediatric and Adult Rare Tumor (MyPART) network was established to engage patients, advocates, and researchers and conduct a comprehensive longitudinal Natural History Study of Rare Solid Tumors. Through remote or in-person enrollment at the NIH Clinical Center, participants with rare solid tumors ≥4 weeks old complete standardized medical and family history forms, patient reported outcomes, and provide tumor, blood and/or saliva samples. Medical records are extracted for clinical status and treatment history, and tumors undergo genomic analysis. A total of 200 participants (65% female, 35% male, median age at diagnosis 43 years, range = 2-77) enrolled from 46 U.S. states and nine other countries (46% remote, 55% in-person). Frequent diagnoses were neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN), adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC), medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors (sdGIST), and chordomas. At enrollment, median years since diagnosis was 3.5 (range = 0-36.6), 63% participants had metastatic disease and 20% had no evidence of disease. Pathogenic germline and tumor mutations included SDHA/B/C (sdGIST), RET (MTC), TP53 and CTNNB1 (ACC), MEN1 (NEN), and SMARCB1 (poorly-differentiated chordoma). Clinically significant anxiety was observed in 20%-35% of adults. Enrollment of participants and comprehensive data collection were feasible. Remote enrollment was critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 30 patients were enrolled with ACC, NEN, and sdGIST, allowing for clinical/genomic analyses across tumors. Longitudinal follow-up and expansion of cohorts are ongoing to advance understanding of disease course and establish external controls for interventional trials. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that comprehensive, tumor-agnostic data and biospecimen collection is feasible to characterize different rare tumors, and speed progress in research. The findings will be foundational to developing external controls groups for single-arm interventional trials, where randomized control trials cannot be conducted because of small patient populations.

Phase I trial of Ganitumab plus Dasatinib to Cotarget the Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor and Src Family Kinase YES in Rhabdomyosarcoma.

PURPOSE: Antibodies against insulin-like growth factor (IGF) type 1 receptor have shown meaningful but transient tumor responses in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). The SRC family member YES has been shown to mediate IGF type 1 receptor (IGF-1R) antibody acquired resistance, and cotargeting IGF-1R and YES resulted in sustained responses in murine RMS models. We conducted a phase I trial of the anti-IGF-1R antibody ganitumab combined with dasatinib, a multi-kinase inhibitor targeting YES, in patients with RMS (NCT03041701). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with relapsed/refractory alveolar or embryonal RMS and measurable disease were eligible. All patients received ganitumab 18 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks. Dasatinib dose was 60 mg/m2/dose (max 100 mg) oral once daily [dose level (DL)1] or 60 mg/m2/dose (max 70 mg) twice daily (DL2). A 3+3 dose escalation design was used, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined on the basis of cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicities (DLT). RESULTS: Thirteen eligible patients, median age 18 years (range 8-29) enrolled. Median number of prior systemic therapies was 3; all had received prior radiation. Of 11 toxicity-evaluable patients, 1/6 had a DLT at DL1 (diarrhea) and 2/5 had a DLT at DL2 (pneumonitis, hematuria) confirming DL1 as MTD. Of nine response-evaluable patients, one had a confirmed partial response for four cycles, and one had stable disease for six cycles. Genomic studies from cell-free DNA correlated with disease response. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of dasatinib 60 mg/m2/dose daily and ganitumab 18 mg/kg every 2 weeks was safe and tolerable. This combination had a disease control rate of 22% at 5 months.

NCI intramural program approach to rare tumors: Natural history study of rare solid tumors in children and adults: A longitudinal, comprehensive data and biospecimen collection protocol.

Rare tumors across the world are lacking adequate knowledge, resources, and community. Through partnership with patients, advocacy organizations, researchers, and clinicians, we have developed a comprehensive, longitudinal, prospective, and retrospective natural history protocol to collect, analyze, and share data on patients with rare tumors. A strong collaborative effort is vital to ensure success of enrollment, patient engagement, data collection, and analysis to ultimately develop clinical trials to improve outcomes for patients with rare cancers.

Antitumor Activity Associated with Prolonged Persistence of Adoptively Transferred NY-ESO-1 c259T Cells in Synovial Sarcoma.

We evaluated the safety and activity of autologous T cells expressing NY-ESO-1c259, an affinity-enhanced T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizing an HLA-A2-restricted NY-ESO-1/LAGE1a-derived peptide, in patients with metastatic synovial sarcoma (NY-ESO-1c259T cells). Confirmed antitumor responses occurred in 50% of patients (6/12) and were characterized by tumor shrinkage over several months. Circulating NY-ESO-1c259T cells were present postinfusion in all patients and persisted for at least 6 months in all responders. Most of the infused NY-ESO-1c259T cells exhibited an effector memory phenotype following ex vivo expansion, but the persisting pools comprised largely central memory and stem-cell memory subsets, which remained polyfunctional and showed no evidence of T-cell exhaustion despite persistent tumor burdens. Next-generation sequencing of endogenous TCRs in CD8+ NY-ESO-1c259T cells revealed clonal diversity without contraction over time. These data suggest that regenerative pools of NY-ESO-1c259T cells produced a continuing supply of effector cells to mediate sustained, clinically meaningful antitumor effects.Significance: Metastatic synovial sarcoma is incurable with standard therapy. We employed engineered T cells targeting NY-ESO-1, and the data suggest that robust, self-regenerating pools of CD8+ NY-ESO-1c259T cells produce a continuing supply of effector cells over several months that mediate clinically meaningful antitumor effects despite prolonged exposure to antigen. Cancer Discov; 8(8); 944-57. ©2018 AACR.See related commentary by Keung and Tawbi, p. 914This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 899.

Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency allograft recurrence and liver failure- clinical outcomes of 18 liver transplantation patients.

Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) results in progressive microvesicular hepatosteatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, dyslipidemia, and vascular disease. Interventions available prior to enzyme replacement therapy development, including lipid lowering medications, splenectomy, hematopoietic stem cell and liver transplantation were unsuccessful at preventing multi-systemic disease progression, and were associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report two sisters, diagnosed in infancy, who succumbed to LAL-D with accelerated disease progression following splenectomy and liver transplantation. The index patient died one year after hematopoietic stem cell transplant and liver transplantation. Her younger sister survived five years post liver-transplantation, complicated by intermittent, acute rejection. Typical LAL-D hepatopathology, including progressive, microvesicular steatosis, foamy macrophage aggregates, vacuolated Kupffer cells, advanced fibrosis and micronodular cirrhosis recurred in the liver allograft. She died before a second liver transplant could occur for decompensated liver failure. Neither patient received sebelipase alfa enzyme replacement therapy, human, recombinant, lysosomal acid lipase enzyme, FDA approved in 2015. Here are reviewed 18 LAL-D post-liver transplantation cases described in the literature. Multi-systemic LAL-D progression occurred in 11 patients (61%) and death in six (33%). These reports demonstrate that liver transplantation may be necessary for LAL-D-associated liver failure, but is not sufficient to prevent disease progression, or liver disease recurrence, since the pathophysiology is predominantly mediated by deficient enzyme activity in bone marrow-derived monocyte-macrophages. Enzyme replacement therapy addresses systemic disease and hepatopathology, potentially improving liver-transplantation outcomes. This is the first systematic review of liver transplantation for LAL-D, and the first account of liver allograft LAL-D-associated hepatopathology recurrence.

Vincristine Sulfate Liposomes Injection (VSLI, Marqibo®): Results From a Phase I Study in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Refractory Solid Tumors or Leukemias.

BACKGROUND: Vincristine sulfate liposome injection (VSLI; Marqibo®) is an encapsulated preparation of standard vincristine in sphingomyelin/cholesterol liposomes. Clinical trials in adults have demonstrated safety, tolerability, and activity, leading to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for adults with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Pediatric experience with VSLI is limited. PROCEDURE: This single center, phase I dose escalation study examined the safety, toxicity, maximum tolerated dose, and pharmacokinetics of VSLI administered weekly to pediatric patients age <21 years with relapsed or chemotherapy-refractory solid tumors or leukemia. RESULTS: Twenty-one subjects were treated in total. Median age was 13.3 years (range 2-19). Fourteen subjects completed one 28-day cycle of therapy and five subjects completed more than one cycle. No subject experienced dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) at the first dose level (1.75 mg/m(2) /dose, dose range: 2-3.7 mg). At the second dose level (2.25 mg/m(2) /dose, dose range: 1.3-4.5 mg), one subject had transient dose-limiting grade 4 transaminase elevation, and this dose level was expanded with no additional DLT observed. The second dose level then opened to an expansion phase to evaluate activity in ALL. Clinical activity included minimal residual disease negative complete remission in one subject with ALL and stable disease in nine subjects. Clearance of total vincristine was found to be approximately 100-fold lower in comparison to published data using standard vincristine. CONCLUSIONS: Children tolerate 2.25 mg/m(2) /dose of weekly VSLI (the adult FDA-approved dose) with evidence for clinical activity without dose-limiting neurotoxicity. Future plans include studying VSLI as substitution for standard vincristine with combination chemotherapy in children with ALL.

Adjuvant Immunotherapy to Improve Outcome in High-Risk Pediatric Sarcomas.

PURPOSE: Patients with metastatic or relapsed pediatric sarcomas receive cytotoxic regimens that induce high remission rates associated with profound lymphocyte depletion, but ultimately few survive long term. We administered adjuvant immunotherapy to patients with metastatic and recurrent pediatric sarcomas in an effort to improve outcomes. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Mononuclear cells were collected via apheresis, and tumor lysate was acquired via percutaneous biopsy at enrollment. Participants received standard antineoplastic therapy, followed by autologous lymphocytes, tumor lysate/keyhole limpet hemocyanin-pulsed dendritic cell vaccinations ± recombinant human IL7. Primary outcomes were toxicity and vaccine responses. Secondary outcomes were immune reconstitution, event-free survival, and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Forty-three patients enrolled and 29 received immunotherapy. The regimen was well tolerated. Intent-to-treat analysis demonstrated 5-year OS of 51% with significant differences based upon histologic group (63% vs. 0% for Ewing/rhabdomyosarcoma vs. other sarcomas) and response to standard therapy (74% no residual disease vs. 0% residual disease). Five-year intent-to-treat OS of patients with newly diagnosed metastatic Ewing/rhabdomyosarcoma was 77%, higher than previously reported in this population and higher than observed in a similar group treated with an earlier adjuvant immunotherapy regimen (25% 5-year OS). T-cell responses to autologous tumor lysate were identified in 62% of immunotherapy recipients, and survival was higher in those patients (73% 5-year OS with vs. 37% without immune response, P = 0.017). Immune reconstitution, measured by CD4 count recovery, was significantly enhanced in subjects treated with recombinant human IL7. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant immunotherapy may improve survival in patients with metastatic pediatric sarcoma. Clin Cancer Res; 22(13); 3182-91. ©2016 AACR.

Phase I Clinical Trial of Ipilimumab in Pediatric Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors.

PURPOSE: Ipilimumab is a first-in-class immune checkpoint inhibitor approved for treatment of metastatic melanoma but not studied in children until this phase I protocol. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: This study examined safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity, and immune correlates of ipilimumab administered to subjects ≤21 years old with recurrent or progressive solid tumors. Dose escalation cohorts received 1, 3, 5, or 10 mg/m(2) intravenously every 3 weeks in a 3 + 3 design. Response was assessed after 6 weeks and 12 weeks, and then every 3 months. Treatment was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients received 72 doses of ipilimumab. Patients enrolled had melanoma (n = 12), sarcoma (n = 17), or other refractory solid tumors (n = 4). Immune-related adverse events included pancreatitis, pneumonitis, colitis, endocrinopathies, and transaminitis with dose-limiting toxicities observed at 5 and 10 mg/kg dose levels. Pharmacokinetics revealed a half-life of 8 to 15 days. At day 21, subjects had increased levels of cycling T cells, but no change in regulatory T-cell populations. Six subjects had confirmed stable disease for 4 to 10 cycles (melanoma, osteosarcoma, clear cell sarcoma, and synovial sarcoma). CONCLUSIONS: Ipilimumab was safely administered to pediatric patients using management algorithms for immune-related toxicities. The spectrum of immune-related adverse events is similar to those described in adults; however, many of the pediatric toxicities were evident after a single dose. Although no objective tumor regressions were observed with ipilimumab as a single agent, subjects with immune-related toxicities had an increased overall survival compared with those who showed no evidence of breaking tolerance.

Cholesteryl ester storage disease: review of the findings in 135 reported patients with an underdiagnosed disease.

Cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD) is caused by deficient lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) activity, predominantly resulting in cholesteryl ester (CE) accumulation, particularly in the liver, spleen, and macrophages throughout the body. The disease is characterized by microvesicular steatosis leading to liver failure, accelerated atherosclerosis and premature demise. Although CESD is rare, it is likely that many patients are unrecognized or misdiagnosed. Here, the findings in 135 CESD patients described in the literature are reviewed. Diagnoses were based on liver biopsies, LAL deficiency and/or LAL gene (LIPA) mutations. Hepatomegaly was present in 99.3% of patients; 74% also had splenomegaly. When reported, most patients had elevated serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and transaminases (AST, ALT, or both), while HDL-cholesterol was decreased. All 112 liver biopsied patients had the characteristic pathology, which is progressive, and includes microvesicular steatosis, which leads to fibrosis, micronodular cirrhosis, and ultimately to liver failure. Pathognomonic birefringent CE crystals or their remnant clefts were observed in hepatic cells. Extrahepatic manifestations included portal hypertension, esophageal varices, and accelerated atherosclerosis. Liver failure in 17 reported patients resulted in liver transplantation and/or death. Genotyping identified 31 LIPA mutations in 55 patients; 61% of mutations were the common exon 8 splice-junction mutation (E8SJM(-1G>A)), for which 18 patients were homozygous. Genotype/phenotype correlations were limited; however, E8SJM(-1G>A) homozygotes typically had early-onset, slowly progressive disease. Supportive treatment included cholestyramine, statins, and, ultimately, liver transplantation. Recombinant LAL replacement was shown to be effective in animal models, and recently, a phase I/II clinical trial demonstrated its safety and indicated its potential metabolic efficacy.

Pompe disease: dramatic improvement in gastrointestinal function following enzyme replacement therapy. A report of three later-onset patients.

Pompe disease is a lysosomal storage disease due to deficient acid α-glucosidase (GAA) activity. Infants with the classic infantile-onset subtype present with severe hypotonia and cardiomegaly, and most expire in the first year of life, whereas the severity of the muscle-based manifestations in patients with the late infantile/juvenile and adult-onset subtypes depends on the level of GAA residual enzymatic activity. The clinical features of later-onset Pompe disease are still emerging, and even the natural history and progression of muscle weakness and respiratory failure, hallmarks of the later-onset subtypes, are not well documented. For example, we report here three later-onset patients who had chronic diarrhea, postprandial bloating and abdominal pain, previously unrecognized manifestations of later-onset Pompe disease. Two patients had intestinal incontinence and one reported synchronous vomiting and diarrhea on a daily basis. These symptoms significantly interfered with their quality of life, often limiting their ability to leave home. All gastrointestinal symptoms resolved within the first six months of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human alglucosidase alpha (rhGAA). All three patients gained weight and remain symptom free, two for over four years. Thus, gastrointestinal symptoms occur in later-onset patients with Pompe disease and are resolved with ERT.

Randomized trial and pharmacokinetic study of pegfilgrastim versus filgrastim after dose-intensive chemotherapy in young adults and children with sarcomas.

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness, tolerance, and pharmacokinetics of a single dose of pegfilgrastim to daily filgrastim in children and young adults with sarcomas treated with dose-intensive combination chemotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients were randomized to receive a single dose of 100 mcg/kg of pegfilgrastim s.c. or 5 mcg/kg/day of filgrastim s.c., daily until neutrophil recovery after two treatment cycles with vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (VDC) and two cycles of etoposide and ifosfamide (IE). The duration of severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count, < or =500/mcL) during cycles 1 to 4 and cycle duration for all cycles were compared. Pharmacokinetics of pegfilgrastim and filgrastim and CD34+ stem cell mobilization were studied on cycle 1. Growth factor-related toxicity, transfusions, and episodes of fever and neutropenia and infections were collected for cycles 1 to 4. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (median age, 20 years; range 3.8-25.8) were enrolled, and 32 completed cycles 1 to 4. The median (range) duration of absolute neutrophil count of <500/mcL was 5.5 (3-8) days for pegfilgrastim and 6 (0-9) days for filgrastim (P = 0.76) after VDC, and 1.5 (0-4) days for pegfilgrastim and 3.75 (0-6.5) days for filgrastim (P = 0.11) after IE. More episodes of febrile neutropenia and documented infections occurred on the filgrastim arm. Serum pegfilgrastim concentrations were highly variable. Pegfilgrastim apparent clearance (11 mL/h/kg) was similar to that reported in adults. CONCLUSION: A single dose per cycle of pegfilgrastim was well tolerated and may be as effective as daily filgrastim based on the duration of severe neutropenia and number of episodes of febrile neutropenia and documented infections after dose-intensive treatment with VDC and IE.

A pilot study of consolidative immunotherapy in patients with high-risk pediatric sarcomas.

PURPOSE: Patients with metastatic or recurrent Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma have <25% 5-year survival in most studies. This study administered a novel immunotherapy regimen aimed at consolidating remission in these patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Fifty-two patients with translocation positive, recurrent, or metastatic Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors or alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma underwent prechemotherapy cell harvest via apheresis for potential receipt of immunotherapy. Following completion of standard multimodal therapy, 30 patients ultimately initiated immunotherapy and were sequentially assigned to three cohorts. All cohorts received autologous T cells, influenza vaccinations, and dendritic cells pulsed with peptides derived from tumor-specific translocation breakpoints and E7, a peptide known to bind HLA-A2. Cohort 1 received moderate-dose recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2), cohort 2 received low-dose rhIL-2, and cohort 3 did not receive rhIL-2. RESULTS: All immunotherapy recipients generated influenza-specific immune responses, whereas immune responses to the translocation breakpoint peptides occurred in 39%, and only 25% of HLA-A2(+) patients developed E7-specific responses. Toxicity was minimal. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed a 31% 5-year overall survival for all patients apheresed (median potential follow-up 7.3 years) with a 43% 5-year overall survival for patients initiating immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Consolidative immunotherapy is a scientifically based and clinically practical approach for integrating immunotherapy into a multimodal regimen for chemoresponsive cancer. Patients receiving immunotherapy experienced minimal toxicity and favorable survival. The robust influenza immune responses observed suggest that postchemotherapy immune incompetence will not fundamentally limit this approach. Future studies will seek to increase efficacy by using more immunogenic antigens and more potent dendritic cells.

Metabolic syndrome traits in long-term survivors of pediatric sarcoma.

PURPOSE: The metabolic syndrome (MS), a cluster of central obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension, conveys an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome traits (MST) in long-term survivors of pediatric sarcoma (SARC) who received multi-modality therapy (MMT). METHODS: Thirty-two SARC survivors (predominantly Ewings; median age 36.5; median age at MMT 15) underwent body composition, activity, and psychosocial analysis. Serum endocrine and inflammatory parameters and urine beta(2)-microglobulin (B2M) were evaluated. The prevalence of MST was compared to age- and gender-matched U.S. population data. RESULTS: SARC survivors were more likely to have two or more MST (OR 2.38 95% CI: [1.14, 5.04]). Analysis of individual MST demonstrated higher prevalence of hypertension (OR 2.61 95% CI: [1.20, 5.59]), hypertriglyceridemia (OR 3.63 95% CI: [1.75, 7.60]), and male visceral abdominal obesity (20-39 years old OR 4.63 95% CI: [0.91, 21.63], 40-59 years old OR infinity). Survivors 18-39 years old had a higher prevalence of the MS (OR 4.29 95% CI: [1.50, 11.21]), defined as three or more MST. Plasminogen activator inhibitory activity (P = 0.016) and B2M (P = 0.027) increased with increasing numbers of MST. In males, total testosterone declined (P = 0.0027) as the number of MST increased. Average (P = 0.014) and maximum (P = 0.021) activity levels decreased as the number of MST increased. CONCLUSION: After a median follow up of 17 years, adult SARC survivors of MMT had an increased prevalence of MST, especially those less than 40 years old. The development of MST in this population was associated with decreased testosterone and activity levels.

Treatment late effects in long-term survivors of pediatric sarcoma.

PURPOSE: To assess health and musculoskeletal function in survivors of pediatric sarcomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two individuals treated for Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT), rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), or non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NR-STS) with multi-modality therapy were enrolled on this cross-sectional study. Median age at the time of therapy was 15.4 years (range 7.1-34.2), median age at the time of analysis was 37.4 years (17.5-55.4), and median duration of time elapsed from completion of therapy was 17.3 years (2.9-32.6). Participants underwent assessments of musculoskeletal functioning, cardiac function, metabolic and lipid analyses, renal and gonadal function, and psychological evaluation. RESULTS: This cohort of sarcoma survivors shows expected locoregional limitations in function of the area affected by sarcoma, and impaired global musculoskeletal functioning as evidenced by limited endurance and limited overall activity levels. The cohort also demonstrated substantial rates of cardiac dysfunction, elevated body fat index, hyperlipidemia, chronic psychological distress, and infertility in men (76%) and premature menopause (49%) in women. CONCLUSION: Sarcoma survivors demonstrate diminished locoregional and global musculoskeletal functioning which likely limit occupational opportunities and socioeconomic health. In addition, the combination of diminished cardiac reserve, limited activity levels, and lipid dysregulation in sarcoma survivors suggests that this population is at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, even many years following completion of sarcoma therapy. Sarcoma survivors may benefit from life long follow-up for cardiovascular disease and from occupational counseling upon completion of therapy.

Cancer genetic testing and assisted reproduction.

PURPOSE: Because of increasing uptake of cancer genetic testing and the improving survival of young patients with cancer, health care practitioners including oncologists will increasingly be asked about options for assisted reproduction by members of families affected by hereditary cancer syndromes. Among these reproductive options, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) offers the opportunity to select embryos without familial cancer-predisposing mutations. METHODS: A review of the published literature supplemented by a survey of PGD centers in the United States. RESULTS: Prenatal diagnosis and/or embryo selection after genetic testing has already been performed in the context of more than a dozen familial cancer syndromes, including the common syndromes of genetic predisposition to colon and breast cancer. CONCLUSION: While constituting new reproductive options for families affected by cancer, the medical indications and ethical acceptance of assisted reproductive technologies for adult-onset cancer predisposition syndromes remain to be defined. Continued discussion of the role of PGD in the reproductive setting is needed to inform the responsible use of these technologies to decrease the burden of heritable cancers.

Persistent psychological distress in long-term survivors of pediatric sarcoma: the experience at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: The long-term psychological impact of pediatric sarcoma is largely unknown. As part of a cross-sectional study examining the late effects of pediatric sarcoma therapy, we examined whether psychological distress or posttraumatic stress symptoms are present in an adult cohort of pediatric sarcoma survivors. METHOD: Thirty-four patients participated in the study, an average of 17 years after their treatment ended, each completing the SCID module for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Impact of Events Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic variables and psychosocial issues. RESULTS: Significant persistent psychological distress characterized this cohort of patients. Seventy-seven percent scored in the clinical range on the BSI. Twelve percent met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Current psychological distress was associated with intrusive thoughts and avoidant behaviors, male gender, employment, difficulty readjusting to work/school after treatment, and enduring worries about health. No differences were found based on age, presence of metastatic disease or time since diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a clinical evaluation of psychological distress in a cohort of pediatric sarcoma survivors treated with intensive multimodal cancer therapy. The results suggest that survivors of pediatric sarcoma might be at high risk for adverse psychological outcomes. Appropriate interventions are proposed.

Lymphopenia and interleukin-2 therapy alter homeostasis of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells.

CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (T(reg)) cells have a crucial role in maintaining immune tolerance. Mice and humans born lacking T(reg) cells develop severe autoimmune disease, and depletion of T(reg) cells in lymphopenic mice induces autoimmunity. Interleukin (IL)-2 signaling is required for thymic development, peripheral expansion and suppressive activity of T(reg) cells. Animals lacking IL-2 die of autoimmunity, which is prevented by administration of IL-2-responsive T(reg) cells. In light of the emerging evidence that one of the primary physiologic roles of IL-2 is to generate and maintain T(reg) cells, the question arises as to the effects of IL-2 therapy on them. We monitored T(reg) cells during immune reconstitution in individuals with cancer who did or did not receive IL-2 therapy. CD4(+)CD25(hi) cells underwent homeostatic peripheral expansion during immune reconstitution, and in lymphopenic individuals receiving IL-2, the T(reg) cell compartment was markedly increased. Mouse studies showed that IL-2 therapy induced expansion of existent T(reg) cells in normal hosts, and IL-2-induced T(reg) cell expansion was further augmented by lymphopenia. On a per-cell basis, T(reg) cells generated by IL-2 therapy expressed similar levels of FOXP3 and had similar potency for suppression compared to T(reg) cells present in normal hosts. These studies suggest that IL-2 and lymphopenia are primary modulators of CD4(+)CD25(+) T(reg) cell homeostasis.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced pediatric nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma: the National Cancer Institute experience.

BACKGROUND: The survival of children and adolescents with advanced (unresectable or metastatic) nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS) is poor. In order to clarify the role of combining chemotherapy with aggressive local control using surgery and/or radiation, we reviewed our institutional experience with the treatment of advanced pediatric NRSTS. PROCEDURE: We reviewed the charts of all patients less than 21 years treated for an advanced NRSTS at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) between 1983 and 2003. Tumor pathology was confirmed and demographic, disease, and treatment data were abstracted. Survival was calculated using standard methods. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients who were treated over the study period, 15 had metastatic disease and 10 had unresectable or incompletely resected disease at presentation. Twenty-one patients received chemotherapy consisting of the combination of vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and etoposide, and the remaining 4 received regimens that included doxorubicin. Twenty patients (80%) had a complete (5/25) or partial (15/25) response after chemotherapy alone. After the combination of chemotherapy and local control, 14 patients (56%) had a complete response (CR). The estimated 5-year overall and event-free survival (EFS) for all patients was 0.50 (standard error = 0.11) and 0.34 (standard error = 0.10), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of chemotherapy with aggressive local control in this cohort of pediatric patients with advanced NRSTS yielded results comparable to those observed in patients with advanced sarcomas that are chemotherapy responsive. Prospective randomized trials are needed to quantify the contribution of chemotherapy and to determine the ideal regimen.