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Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Establishment of a Primary Culture of Patient-derived Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Published on: April 11, 2018
Transcriptome based individualized therapy of refractory pediatric sarcomas: feasibility, tolerability and efficacy.
Bushra Weidenbusch1, Günther H S Richter1,2, Marie Sophie Kesper1,2
1Department of Pediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Fakultät für Medizin, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Gene expression profiling identified actionable targets in pediatric sarcomas. Targeted therapy significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in refractory cases, showing promise for future treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Pediatric sarcoma survival rates have plateaued, particularly for adolescents and young adults (AYAs).
- Refractory cases require novel treatment strategies beyond conventional therapies.
- Gene expression profiling offers a method to characterize tumor transcriptomes and guide personalized treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and efficacy of expression-based targeted therapy (TT) in pediatric sarcoma patients.
- To identify actionable molecular targets in refractory pediatric sarcomas using gene expression profiling.
- To compare outcomes, including survival and adverse events, between patients receiving TT and those not.
Main Methods:
- Array-based gene expression profiling was performed on tumor biopsies from 20 pediatric sarcoma patients (ages 8-35).
- Actionable targets and deregulated pathways were identified to guide individualized TT selection.
- Patients receiving TT were compared to a control group (non TT) regarding disease status, survival, adverse events (AEs), and quality of life (QOL).
Main Results:
- Actionable targets were identified in all analyzed pediatric sarcoma biopsies.
- Nine patients received TT, while eleven did not; no significant differences in risk factors were observed between groups.
- TT significantly improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared to non TT (median OS: 8.83 vs. 4.93 months; median PFS: 6.17 vs. 1.6 months).
- Quality of life (QOL) did not differ between groups. TT patients experienced fewer grade 1 AEs, with no difference in grade 2-4 AEs.
Conclusions:
- Expression-based targeted therapy is a feasible approach for refractory pediatric sarcomas.
- Targeted therapy demonstrated significant survival benefits in this patient cohort.
- Further investigation is warranted to confirm the efficacy and benefits of targeted therapy in pediatric sarcoma treatment.
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