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Purpose Significantly improved survival rates in patients with Ewing sarcoma have raised interest in accessing the quality of long-term survivorship. In this study, subjective and objective measurement tools, preclassified as physical or mental scores, were used to assess clinicofunctional outcome and physical activity after intensive bone tumor treatment. Methods Long-term outcome of 618 survivors from consecutive Ewing sarcoma trials was assessed by the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score, Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale questionnaires and by the accelerometric StepWatch 3 Activity Monitor. Prospective measurements were correlated retrospectively with standardized primary trial data. Results were compared with 316 nonrandom healthy peers by using effect sizes ( d). Median observation time was 12.9 years from primary diagnosis (range, 3.7 to 31.2 years). Results Absolute subjective scores were moderate to good for survivors. Compared with control subjects, unfavorable outcome was shown on physical Toronto Extremity Salvage Score, SF-36 Physical Component Summary, and BSI-Somatization scales (| d| ≥ 0.50; P < .01), in contrast to SF-36 Mental Component Summary, BSI-Anxiety, BSI-Depression, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale mental scales (| d| ≤ 0.31). Survivors were less active than control subjects, as demonstrated by a step count difference of 1,742 steps per day ( d = −0.43; P < .01); however, on average, the recommended level for an active lifestyle was achieved (≥ 10,000 steps). Location of pelvic tumor was the major inferior disease-specific prognostic factor in physical scores ( P < .01), whereas nondisease-specific inferior factors in questionnaires were older age and female sex ( P < .01). Conclusion Survivors of Ewing sarcoma apparently returned to a normal life with minor limitations. Observed reductions in physical scores should be a focus in future research to optimize treatment strategies to reduce a negative impact on the quality of survivorship.

Background Two national clinical trial groups, United Kingdom Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) and the German Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Group (GPOH) together undertook a randomised trial, EICESS-92, which addressed chemotherapy options for Ewing’s sarcoma. We sought the causes of unexpected survival differences between the study groups. Methods 647 patients were randomised. Cox regression analyses were used to compare event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) between the two study groups. Results 5-year EFS rates were 43% (95% CI 36–50%) and 57% (95% CI 52–62) in the CCLG and GPOH patients, respectively; corresponding 5-year OS rates were 52% (95% CI 45–59%) and 66% (95% CI 61–71). CCLG patients were less likely to have both surgery and radiotherapy (18 vs. 59%), and more likely to have a single local therapy modality compared to the GPOH patients (72 vs. 35%). Forty-five percent of GPOH patients had pre-operative radiotherapy compared to 3% of CCLG patients. In the CCLG group local recurrence (either with or without metastases) was the first event in 22% of patients compared with 7% in the GPOH group. After allowing for the effects of age, metastases, primary site, histology and local treatment modality, the risk of an EFS event was 44% greater in the CCLG cohort (95% CI 10–89%, p = 0.009), and the risk of dying was 30% greater, but not statistically significant (95% CI 3–74%, p = 0.08). Conclusions Unexpected differences in EFS and OS occurred between two patient cohorts recruited within an international randomised trial. Failure to select or deliver appropriate local treatment modalities for Ewing’s sarcoma may compromise chances of cure. Trial registration Supported by Deutsche Krebshilfe (Grants No. DKH M43/92/Jü2 and DKH 70-2551 Jü3), and European Union Biomedicine and Health Programme (Grants No. BMH1-CT92-1341 and BMH4-983956), and Cancer Research United Kingdom. Clinical trial information can be found for the following: NCT0000251

Only few clinical factors predict the prognosis of patients with Ewing tumors. Unfavorable outcome is associated with primary metastatic disease, age > 15 years, tumor volume above 200 ml, and the histological response to chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevalence and clinical impact of microsatellite instability (MSI) together with the relation between MSI and mismatch repair protein expression in Ewing tumors. DNA from 61 primary Ewing tumors and 11 Ewing tumor cell lines was extracted and microsatellite analysis for the detection of instability or loss of heterozygosity was performed for the five markers of the Bethesda panel BAT25, BAT26, D5S346, D2S123, and D17S250, which represents the established marker panel for the analysis of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPCC) patients. In addition, single nucleotide repeat regions of the two tumor genes BAX and transforming growth factor receptor II (TGFBR2) were also included. All of the 61 samples were suitable for LOH analysis and 55 for the determination of MSI-status. LOH of these microsatellite markers was detected in 9 of the 61 patients (14.8%). Over all, genetic instability, i.e. MSI and/or LOH, was detected in 17 tumors (27.9%). One out of the 11 tumor cell lines (STA ET1) was characterized by instability of all the five Bethesda markers, while from primary tumor samples, only one showed MSI in more than one microsatellite marker (D5S346 and D17S250, MSI-high). Eight of the fifty-five patients (14.5%) showed instability of one microsatellite locus (MSI-low). No instability was detected in BAT26, D2S123, BAX and TGFBR2. There was no significant correlation between MSI and loss of expression of mismatch repair proteins MLH1, MSH2, or MSH6. The impairment of the p53 signaling pathway (expression of TP53 and/or MDM2 by immunohistochemistry) was significantly associated with reduced overall survival (15 of 49 patients (30.6%), P = 0.0410, log-rank test). We conclude that MSI is not prevalent in Ewing tumor and that the nature of instability differs from the form observed in colorectal carcinoma, the model tumor of MSI. This is documented by the different pattern of MSI (no BAT26 instability) in Ewing tumors and the lack of a strict correlation between MSI-high and loss of expression of MSH2, MSH6 and MLH1.

Learning Objectives After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the presentation, differential diagnosis, and prognosis for patients with Ewing's sarcoma.Explain the principles of multidisciplinary management of Ewing's sarcoma.Discuss the late effects of the therapy for Ewing's sarcoma. Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com Ewing's sarcoma is the second most frequent primary bone cancer, with approximately 225 new cases diagnosed each year in patients less than 20 years of age in North America. It is one of the pediatric small round blue cell tumors, characterized by strong membrane expression of CD99 in a chain-mail pattern and negativity for lymphoid (CD45), rhabdomyosarcoma (myogenin, desmin, actin) and neuroblastoma (neurofilament protein) markers. Pathognomonic translocations involving the ews gene on chromosome 22 and an ets-type gene, most commonly the fli1 gene on chromosome 11, are implicated in the great majority of cases. Clinical presentation is usually dominated by local bone pain and a mass. Imaging reveals a technetium pyrophosphate avid lesion that, on plain radiograph, is destructive, diaphyseal and classically causes layered periosteal calcification. Magnetic resonance best defines the extent of the lesion. Biopsy should be undertaken by an experienced orthopedic oncologist. Approximately three quarters of patients have initially localized disease. About two thirds survive disease-free. Management, preferably at a specialist center with a multi-disciplinary team, includes both local control—either surgery, radiation or a combination—and systemic chemotherapy. Chemotherapy includes cyclic combinations, incorporating vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, ifosfamide and occasionally actinomycin D. Topotecan in combination with cyclophosphamide has shown preliminary activity. Patients with initially metastatic disease fare less well, with about one quarter surviving. Studies incorporating intensive therapy followed by stem cell infusion show no clear benefit. New approaches include anti-angiogenic therapy, particularly since vascular endothelial growth factor is an apparent downstream target of the ews-fli1 oncogene.

Pax3 and Pax7 are closely related transcription factors involved in the commitment of myogenic precursors in the developing trunk. However, it is not yet clear whether these genes are required for myogenic cell specification in the head and for post-somitic myogensis per se. In part, this uncertainty is due to the scarce information about their normal time course and pattern of expression. Here, we present a systematic immunohistochemical in situ analysis of spatiotemporal characteristics of Pax3 and Pax7 protein expression in comparison to that of MyoD and myogenin in the developing trunk and head muscles. The observed patterns of expression suggest that Pax3 is not involved in myogenesis in the head and its post-somitic expression in the trunk and limb muscles is mostly repressed after stage E13.5. In contrast, Pax7 expression is shared among all striated muscles and exhibits a uniform pattern. Pax7 is expressed only in mononucleated cells that either differentiate into myotubes or later form satellite cells. During development of head muscles, expression of Pax7 follows expression of MyoD and myogenin, implying that Pax7 is not required to induce the initial steps of the myogenic program in the head. In Pax7 homozygous mutants, in which muscle development proceeds normally, expression of Pax3 is indistinguishable from its wild-type pattern (i. e. absent), suggesting that after stage E13.5 myogenesis does not require Pax3 and Pax7. These data challenge the concept that Pax3 and Pax7 determine a persistent lineage of myogenic precursors in pre-natal and post-natal muscle development.

The EUROpean Ewing tumour Working Initiative of National Groups 1999 (EURO-E.W.I.N.G. 99) protocol prescribes six courses of vincristine, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, and etoposide (VIDE) as intensive induction chemotherapy for Ewing tumors (ET). Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is recommended. Adverse reactions (AR) were evaluated; quality assurance of data collection reviewed.Safety data from 4,746 courses of VIDE in 851 patients less than 50 years with ET were collected using a checklist and evaluated using descriptive statistics with sub-groups including gender, age, and tumor volume, analyzed by Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests.Myelosuppression and infections were the major AR but with appropriate supportive therapy targeted dose intensity was maintained. Five VIDE-related deaths with three due to sepsis were reported. Renal and cardiac toxicity were reflected by glomerular filtration rate (GFR)39 ml/min/1.73 m2 in 0.1%, tubular phosphate reabsorptionor = 0.80 in 1.9%, and left ventricular shortening fracture28% in 2.5% VIDE courses. Statistically significant gender-associated AR concerning hemoglobin and platelets were observed with femalesmales as were age-associated AR concerning hemoglobin, WBC, platelets, stomatitis, and vomiting with AR decreasing with age, that is, childrenadolescentsadults. No association of AR to tumor volume was found. In VIDE courses with and without G-CSF, neutropenia-related fever in 60.8% and 65.8%, and infection in 54.7% and 61.0% courses, respectively, were recorded.AR under VIDE remained within the expected range. Some AR, for example, hematotoxicity were significantly influenced by age and gender but not by tumor volume. G-CSF did not significantly influence neutropenia-related fever and infection. Solicited safety collection with checklists adequately reflects the burden per course.

Purpose: Because Ewing’s sarcoma (EWS) is extremely rare in the hand and forearm, only limited data are available for planning treatment or predicting prognosis. Methods: Data of 33 patients with EWS of the forearm or hand who were enrolled in studies of the German Association for Paediatric Oncology/Haematology and the European Intergroup Cooperative Ewing’s Sarcoma Study Group were analyzed. Patients received neoadjuvant multi-agent chemotherapy according to the valid protocol. Local treatment consisted of surgery (n=7), radiotherapy (n=7), or a combination of both (n=19). Results: The 5/10-year overall survival rate was 84.1% (95% CI: 71.2–96.9)/74.1% (95% CI: 56.8–91.5), and both 5/10-year event-free survival rate were 71.3% (95% CI: 55.4–87.1). Only one of seven patients with secondary metastases was in remission at the time of analysis. One patient with local recurrence and another with primary metastases died. Altogether, eight of 33 patients died of their disease. The event-free survival rate was 80.6% in patients with good response to chemotherapy and 33.3% in patients with poor response. Surgery in combination with radiotherapy achieved a higher survival rate compared with radiotherapy or surgery alone. One out of two patients with nonwide margins of resection died of disease. Conclusions: The results demonstrate a remarkably high survival rate for patients with EWS of the hand and forearm.

117 Background: With improved survival rates of patients with Ewing sarcoma the quality of long-term survivorship needs to be addressed. In this study, general recovery and restitution of function following intensive bone tumor treatment were analyzed by assessing the clinico-functional outcome and physical activity using self-reporting and objective measurement tools. Methods: Long-term outcome of 224 former patients with lower extremity Ewing sarcoma, registered between 1980 and 2009 in consecutive clinical trials of the GPOH, were assessed using the TESS, SF-36, BSI, and RSES questionnaire scales, and the accelerometric StepWatch Activity Monitor (SAM). To compare results with healthy subjects, 111 non-random peer controls were selected. Median observation time was 13.8 years from primary diagnosis (range 4.1-31.2). Results: Absolute values from the questionnaire scores indicated no major clinical findings in former patients. Compared to controls, unfavorable outcomes were however seen on physical TESS (d=-0.85), PCS (SF-36) (d=-1.08) and BSI-S scores (d=0.65) (P10000 steps). Comparing local therapy modality, physical scores for SAM, TESS, PCS were 10978, 91.2, T=50.2 for patients treated with surgery (N=101), 11097, 90.0, T=48.6 in patients with combined modality treatment (N=108), and 10093, 92.8, T=50.0 for patients with definite radiotherapy (N=15) (P=0.648; P=0.580; P=0.368). Conclusions: Survivors of primary lower extremity Ewing sarcoma exhibited moderately reduced self-reported and objectively measured physical outcome scores. Continuous long-term observation will be important in order to identify disease-specific prognostic factors for these patient-oriented outcomes.

11001Background: EE99R2pul (ISRCTN61438620) was conducted in 16 countries, by 5 cooperative groups: COG, SFCE/GSF, GPOH, UK CCLG, EORTC. It evaluated the effect on event-free (EFS, main endpoint) a...

10529 Background: Since 1980 patients with Ewing sarcoma have been treated according to consecutive protocols (CESS) of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH). Rising surviv...

10529 Background: Since 1980 patients with Ewing sarcoma have been treated according to consecutive protocols (CESS) of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH)(supported by D...

e21021 Background: Advanced pediatric sarcomas are associated with poor prognosis. They include Ewing’s sarcomas (ES), metastatic to more than one bone or early relapse as well as stage IV rhabdomy...

PURPOSE: There are a variety of solid tumors in which alternative chromosomal translocations generate related fusion products. In alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma and synovial sarcoma, these variant fusions have been found to have major clinical significance. We investigated whether the two alternative gene fusion products, EWS-FLI1 and EWS-ERG, define different clinical subsets within the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We selected 30 cases of Ewing's sarcoma with the EWS-ERG gene fusion and 106 cases with the EWS-FLI1 fusion. Clinical data were obtained for each case and compared with the molecular diagnostic findings. RESULTS: There were no significant clinical differences observed between the two groups in age of diagnosis, sex, metastasis at diagnosis, primary site, event-free survival, or overall survival. CONCLUSION: Differences in the C-terminal partner in the Ewing's sarcoma family gene fusions are not associated with significant phenotypic differences.

10031 Background: The randomized Euro-EWING99-R1 trial assessed noninferiority of cyclophosphamide- vs ifosfamide-based consolidation regimens (VAC vs VAI) in SR localized ES patients. Overall, efficacy of VAC was deemed acceptable compared to VAI, with hazard ratio of event HR = 1.12 [0.89 - 1.41]. Based on its gender-stratified randomization, influence of gender on efficacy and acute toxicity were additionally explored. Methods: Impact of gender on EFS, acute toxicity by course, switches between treatment arms, and cumulative dose of alkylating agents was evaluated in multivariable models, including terms to test for heterogeneity of treatment effect by gender. Analysis was performed on the intention to treat population. Results: 856 patients (509 males, 347 females) were recruited between 2000 and 2010: 425 VAI and 431 VAC. EFS did not significantly differ between genders (p=0.33), but a marginal interaction was seen between treatment and gender (p=0.083): VAC was associated with poorer EFS in males than VAI, HR(VAC/VAI) = 1.34 [0.96 - 1.86], whereas, in females, VAC was slightly better than VAI, HR = 0.83 [0.54 - 1.28]. Similarly, males had a worse EFS than females with VAC, HR(M/F) = 1.42 [0.97 – 2.08], whereas results by gender were very similar with VAI, HR = 0.91 [0.62 – 1.33]. Severe hematological toxicity was more frequent with VAC than VAI whereas tubular renal impairment was more frequent with VAI. Severe toxicity was more frequent in females than in males, whatever the toxicity type, with no significant interaction between treatment and gender effect. 30 patients switched from VAI to VAC (21 F, 9 M) mostly due to renal toxicity, and 3 from VAC to VAI (1 F, 2 M). A reduction of alkylating agent cumulative dose >20% was more frequent in females (15% vs 9%, p=0.01), with no major difference between VAI and VAC (13% vs 10%, p=0.21). Conclusions: The marginal interaction between gender and type of alkylating agent on EFS has to be validated on external data. Differences of acute toxicity rate and compliance are not sufficient explanation. Effects of gender-dependant polymorphism/activity of metabolic enzymes (e.g. known for CYP2B6) of ifosfamide vs cyclophosphamide should be explored. Clinical trial information: NCT00020566.

10080 Background: Despite multimodal treatment concepts and complete surgical resection, prognosis in pediatric patients with pulmonary metastases from osteosarcoma has remained limited due to frequent relapse of disease. We investigated the results of an aggressive surgical approach. Methods: In a retrospective study, procedures and outcomes of pulmonary metastasectomy in the pediatric age group (up to 18 years) at our institution were analyzed over a period of 10 years (1999-2009). Resection of the primary osteogenic tumor and chemotherapy (CROSS-96-protocol and EURAMOS-1-protocol) were performed prior to thoracic surgery. Results: Forty-five pediatric patients (20 females) underwent pulmonary metastasectomies via sternotomy or sequential anterolateral thoracotomy at a mean age of 14 (6 -18) years. At primary surgery, a mean number of 7.9 (1 – 53) palpable suspicious lesions were resected per patient. Histo-pathological evaluation revealed 3.7 (0 – 40) metastases per patient. Mean total duration of surgery was 152 (46–323) minutes. Mean hospital stay was 10 days (3 – 33). In-hospital and 30-day mortality was 0%. The overall survival at 1 and 5 years was 97.8% and 77.3%, respectively. Mean disease-free-survival was 12.2 (3.2-38.0) months. In 19 (42.2 %) patients recurrent pulmonary metastases were detected and re-thoracotomies were required. Up to 7 procedures per patient were performed. Overall survival for patients undergoing more than one surgical procedure for recurrent lung metastases was not statistically different from survival in patients without relapse (p > 0.05). Survival was significantly better in patients initially presenting with less than 10 metastases (85.3 % vs. 54.1 % at 5 years, p = 0.028). Conclusions: Complete pulmonary metastasectomies are essential in pediatric osteosarcoma patients with lung metastasis. Repeated resections for recurrent relapses improve survival and may allow for long-term event-free-survival.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the potential antitumor activity of cis -diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (DDP or cisplatin). The compound has alkylating activity and is active in the treatment of a variety of human neoplasms, both as a single agent and in combination. DDP has been clinically useful in the treatment of a variety of head and neck tumors, epidermoid carcinoma of the lung, and germ cell tumors of the testes. The chapter discusses the efficacy of DDP in advanced osteogenic sarcoma. One complete response and 4 partial responses in 8 patients with advanced metastatic disease have been reported. Due to this, a phase II study of DDP is undertaken in a larger series of patients with evaluable osteogenic sarcoma at the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). High-dose DDP with mannitol diuresis does not show overlapping toxicity with many other agents, such as cyclophosphamide and adriamycin, that are effective in the treatment of osteogenic sarcoma and other solid tumors. This latter finding and the efficacy of high-dose DDP with mannitol diuresis in the treatment of osteogenic sarcoma and other solid tumors makes this agent an ideal candidate for future phase II trials of combination chemotherapy in the management of these tumors.

Osteosarcoma patients free of CNS metastases are at risk for acquiring leukoencephalopathy after receiving multiple courses of high dose intravenous methotrexate followed by oral leucovorin rescue (MTX-LV). A prospective study of the adequacy of CNS rescue of MTX biochemical toxicity by oral leucovorin was undertaken in newly diagnosed neurologically normal osteosarcoma patients. Prior to surgical resection of the primary tumor, ten patients received 4 weekly courses of MTX-LV. During the fourth weekly MTX-LV treatment, 0 and 72 hr serum and CSF determinations of MTX, 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) and LV were made. No CSF MTX was detectable at 0 hr in any patient, but a significant elevation in CSF MTX occurred in 9/9 patients at 72 hr (mean 47.2 +/- 31.8 ng/ml or 1.04 +/- 0.7 X 10(-7) M). There was no significant change in mean CSF 5-MTHF over 72 hr despite a rise in serum 5-MTHF. MTX exceeded 5-MTHF in 6/9 patients in CSF, whereas only 3/8 patients had higher MTX in the serum at 72 hr. No acute systemic or neurotoxicity was seen. The failure of oral leucovorin to consistently elevate CSF 5-MTHF levels at 72 hr in the context of significant levels of CSF MTX may result in intermittent CNS folate deficiency. The clinical and pathological syndrome of leukoencephalopathy may be related to this phenomenon and may evolve after repeated MTX-LV treatments.