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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
Establishment of a Primary Culture of Patient-derived Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Published on: April 11, 2018
Developments in Systemic Therapy for Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcomas
Abstract:
The past year has led to significant changes in systemic therapies used to treat soft tissue sarcomas, mainly dominated by the removal of the recently approved drug olaratumab as part of combination therapy with doxorubicin from the NCCN Guidelines for Soft Tissue Sarcoma, according to Dr. Suzanne George. Several histology-specific drugs have entered the space, including pazopanib and pembrolizumab, the latter of which was approved as a category 2B recommendation for alveolar soft part sarcoma, highlighting the rather limited role of immunotherapy in sarcomas. Dr. George also discussed updated data for sorafenib in the treatment of desmoid tumors, as well as the importance of larotrectinib in TRK fusion-positive tumors.
Insights
Systemic therapies for soft tissue sarcomas have evolved, with olaratumab removed from guidelines. New histology-specific drugs and targeted therapies show promise for specific sarcoma subtypes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Recent guideline changes impact systemic therapy for soft tissue sarcomas.
- Olaratumab, previously approved in combination with doxorubicin, has been removed from NCCN Guidelines.
Discussion:
- Histology-specific agents like pazopanib and pembrolizumab are emerging.
- Pembrolizumab received a category 2B recommendation for alveolar soft part sarcoma, indicating a limited role for immunotherapy in sarcomas.
- Updated data on sorafenib for desmoid tumors were presented.
Key Insights:
- The landscape of soft tissue sarcoma treatment is shifting with new drug approvals and guideline updates.
- Targeted therapies, such as larotrectinib for TRK fusion-positive tumors, are gaining importance.
- Immunotherapy's role in sarcoma treatment remains limited, with specific indications like alveolar soft part sarcoma.
Outlook:
- Continued research into histology-specific and targeted therapies is crucial.
- Personalized medicine approaches will likely play a larger role in sarcoma treatment.
- Further evaluation of immunotherapy in specific sarcoma contexts may be warranted.
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