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Competing Interests: Disclosure PGC has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Bayer, institutional research funding from Amgen Dompé, Advenchen, Bayer, Blueprint, Deciphera, Eli Lilly, Epizyme, Daiichi, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Karyopharm, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar, SpringWorks, AROG Pharmaceuticals and Eisai and carried out nonremunerated activities for the Italian Sarcoma Group, European School of Oncology, Federation of Italian Cooperative Groups and Rare Cancers Europe; JYB received research support from Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), Roche, GSK, Novartis, Bayer, PharmaMar outside the present work; NA reports nonremunerated leadership and advisory roles for Sociedade Portuguesa de Cirurgia; JB reports no personal financial disclosure, received research grants (institutional) from Eli Lilly, Novartis, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, Paxman Coolers Ltd., Sun Pharma and reports nonremunerated advisory role for Novartis, nonremunerated leadership activities for Immuno-Oncology Society of India, Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology, Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Foundation and Indian Cooperative Oncology Network; SB has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Deciphera, Blueprint Medicines, Lilly, Novartis, Daiichi-Sankyo, Plexxikon, Roche, GSK and reports invited speaker fees from Pfizer and PharmaMar, institutional research grant from Novartis, performed institutional research as principal investigator (PI) for Daiichi-Sankyo, Roche, Deciphera, Lilly, Novartis, Blueprint Medicines, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Incyte and carried out nonrenumerated activities for Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArm) and is the founding member of German Sarcoma Foundation; RB reports nonrenumerated activities as PI for IRCSS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute and IRE-ISG Regina Elena Institute and participation at the Clinical Experience Exchange Meeting, III IDBN National Congress 2019, Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), IRE-ISG Regina Elena Institute and Lazio Association of Orthopaedic Hospital Traumatologists (A.L.O.T.O.); SBi has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards from Bayer Healthcare, Boehringer Ingelheim, Clinigen, Hoffmann-La Roche, Ipsen, Eli Lilly and Sensorion and reports nonremunerated activities for Bayer and membership of the German Paediatric Oncology Society and European Musculoskeletal Oncology Society; SBon has received honoraria for advisory board from Nanobiotix and as an invited speaker for PharmaMar, trial research grant from the Institut National du Cancer (INCa); IB has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Roche, Lilly, Sanofi, Pierre Fabre, Ipsen and as an invited speaker for Amgen, BMS, Novartis, Leo Pharma, AstraZeneca and Genesis and is a member of Board of Directors for Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology, Hellenic Society of Sarcomas and Rare Tumors, Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG) and reports PI trial research support from Novartis, BMS, Regeneron, MSD, Lilly and Roche; JVMGB receives royalties from UpToDate and Wolters Kluwer, and direct research funding from TRACON pharmaceuticals; KB has received honoraria for expert testimony and advisory boards for Bayer, invited speaker fees and research grant from Eli Lilly, PI for Deciphera and Novartis; TB has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer and Eli Lilly, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Novartis; EDÁ has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Bayer, invited speaker for Lilly, PharmaMar and Roche and institutional research support from Pfizer, Roche and AstraZeneca; APDT has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer and Roche, invited speaker for PharmaMar and Novartis; XGDM has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Ipsen, EUSAPharma, BMS, Pfizer, Roche and PharmaMar and is an invited speaker for Lilly, Astellas Pharma, Eisai and Pfizer and received institutional research grant from Astra Zeneca; ME has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Clinigen and Bayer, consulting fees from Blueprint Medicines, institutional research funding from Novartis; AF has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Novartis and invited speaker fees for MSD and Amgen; VF has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards and speaker fees for BMS, Novartis and MSD and speaker fees from Pierre Fabre; SG has reported institutional research for Blueprint Medicines and is a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and AIOM; HG has reported PI research for Daiichi, Deciphera and Novartis and co-ordinating PI for Boehringer Ingelheim and AmMax Bio; FG has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Amgen and expert testimony for Deciphera, stock ownership for Atlanthera, licencing fees from Zimmer, nonrenumerated activities for 3D-Side and INCa DGOS funding and is a member of the board of NetSarc, the French clinical reference network for soft tissue and visceral sarcomas; GG has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Lilly, Eisai, Merck, Bayer and GSK, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Novartis and institutional grants from PharmaMar, Bayer and Novartis; RH has received honoraria from GSK; ABH is a member of Board of Directors for EIT Health UK and Ireland and received or currently receives direct research funding as a PI from Roche, performs work in clinical trials or contracted research for the institution and as the Clinical Director of the Oncology and Haematology Directorate, Oxford Cancer Centre; NH has received honoraria as expert testimony and invited speaker from PharmaMar and performs work in clinical trials or contracted research for which the author’s institution received financial support from PharmaMar, Lilly, Adaptimmune Therapeutics, AROG Pharmaceuticals, Bayer, Eisai, Lixte, Karyopharm, Deciphera, GSK, Novartis, Blueprint Medicines, Nektar Therapeutics, Forma, Amgen and Daiichi-Sankyo and reports nonremunerated leadership roles for Grupo Español de Investigación en Sarcomas (GEIS) and SELNET and has nonremunerated membership or affiliation with ESMO, Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica (SEOM), ASCO, Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC); PH has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Pfizer, Roche and GSK, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Lilly, clinical expert fees from Boehringer Ingelheim and institutional research funding for clinical trials from Siemens, Novartis, Blueprint Medicines and meeting sponsorship from PEKKIP Oncology and reports carrying out nonremunerated activities for the German Sarcoma Foundation (DSS), German Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG) and Interdisciplinary Working Party on Sarcomas (IAWS) of the German Cancer Society (DKG) and advisory role for the German Cancer Aid (DKH) Committee on Health Technology Assessment and Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN); HJ has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Orion Pharma, Neutron Therapeutics and Maud Kuistila Memorial Foundation and had full time or part time employment at Orion Pharma (until 31 August 2020), stocks in Orion Pharma and Sartar Therapeutics; RLJ has received honoraria for expert testimony consultancy for Adaptimmune, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Blueprint Medicines, Clinigen, Eisai, Epizyme, Daiichi, Deciphera, Immune Design, Lilly, SpringWorks, Tracon, UpToDate, PharmaMar and is on the advisory board for Athenex and received institutional research grant from MSD; CJ has received travel grants from Ipsen and PharmaMar; BK has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, Boehringer Ingelheim, SpringWorks, GSK and PharmaMar, institutional research support from PharmaMar and SpringWorks and is a member of EORTC and Chair of the EORTC soft tissue and bone sarcoma group (STBSG); AK has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Daiichi-Sankyo and Otsuka and invited speaker fees from Novartis, Taiho and Eisai; KK has received honoraria for participation in the advisory board for Bayer and expert testimony for Eli Lilly and Roche; ALC has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Deciphera and Lilly and invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Bayer; EL received honoraria from SpringWorks Therapeutics for scientific advisory board participation and is a member of the European Reference Network GENTURIS; AL has received institutional research grants from Johnson & Johnson, Alphamed, Medacta and ImplanTec and reports nonremunerated activities for European Musculoskeletal Society (EMSOS), Austrian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OGO) and membership of CTOS; AL-P has received honoraria as invited speaker for PharmaMar, institutional research funding from the Spanish Health Ministry, reported nonrenumerated activities as PI for PharmaMar, Cebiotex, Deciphera, Lilly, GSK, Daiichi, Epizyme, Advenchen Laboratories, Novartis, Karyopharm, Blueprint medicines, GEIS and other activity for EORTC; JM-B has received honoraria for expert testimony for Lilly, PharmaMar, Eisai, Bayer, invited speaker fee from PharmaMar and carried out institutional research for PharmaMar, Eisai, Novartis, Immix Biopharma, Lixte, Karyopharm, Bayer, Celgene, Pfizer, BMS, Blueprint Medicines, Deciphera, Nektar Therapeutics, Forma, Amgen, Daiichi-Sankyo, Lilly, AROG Pharmaceuticals, Adaptimmune and GSK; OM has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for MSD, Megapharm, AstraZeneca, Takeda and ProGenetics and invited speaker fees from MSD and Roche; CM has performed nonremunerated activities for International Cancer Imaging Society and EORTC STBSG; OMi has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, MSD, Pfizer, invited speaker fees from BMS, Eli-Lilly, Ipsen, Roche and Servier and institutional research for Blueprint Medicines, Bayer, Epizyme and Eli-Lilly; EP has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for SynOx, Daiichi-Sankyo and Deciphera Pharmaceuticals and invited speaker fees from Peer View Educational; MAP has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Roche, invited speaker fees from Eli-Lilly, Pfizer and Novartis and expert testimony from Blueprints Medicine and institutional research grant from Novartis; SP-N has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Immunocore; PR has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Clinigen, Roche, MSD, Deciphera, Mundibiopharma, PharmaMar, Blueprint Medicines, invited speaker fees from Lilly, PharmaMar and institutional research for PharmaMar, Karyopharm, SpringWorks, AROG Pharmaceuticals, Blueprint, Deciphera, Amgen, Astellas, Epizyme, Lilly, MSD, Pfizer, Novartis and Philogen and has membership of the German Sarcoma Foundation; PRu has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for MSD, BMS, Pierre Fabre, Merck, Sanofi, Blueprint Medicines, invited speaker fees from MSD, BMS, Pierre Fabre, Merck, Sanofi, Novartis and institutional research funding from Pfizer, BMS and reports carrying out nonremunerated activities for the Polish Society of Surgical Oncology and ASCO; MS has received honoraria for travel grant from PharmaMar and writing engagement for Lilly; SS has reported a research grant from Johnson & Johnson and research funding from Roche Austria; PS has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Deciphera, Blueprint Medicines, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ellipses Pharma, Transgene, Exelixis, Medscape, Guided Clarity, Ysios, Modus Outcomes, Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie, Curio Science and institutional honoraria for advisory boards for Blueprint Medicines, Ellipses Pharma, IntelliSphere, expert testimony for Advanced Medical/Teladoc Health and institutional research funding from CoBioRes NV, Eisai, G1 Therapeutics, Novartis and PharmaMar; SSl is the Chair of Centre for Personalised Cancer Treatment and Route Personalised Medicine, Dutch Science Agenda, a member of supervisory board for SkylineDx and Scientific advisory committee Pan-Cancer T BV; SJS has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for GSK; KSH reports nonrenumerated activity for CTOS as President 2020 and membership of the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group; MAJvdS has performed work in clinical trials or contracted research for which the institution received financial support from Daiichi Sankyo, implantcast and CarboFix; WTAvdG has received institutional honoraria for participation in advisory boards of Bayer and GSK, institutional research grants from Novartis and Lilly and performed consultancy work for SpringWorks; WJvH has received institutional honoraria for participation in advisory board for Belpharma, invited speaker fees from Amgen and reports expert testimony for Sanofi and MSD and personal travel grant from Novartis and institutional research grant from BMS; TF reports institutional research funding from the Foundation ARC and Ligue Régionale contre le Cancer and leadership role for ERN GENTURIS; AG has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer, Lilly, PharmaMar, SpringWorks and Nanobiotix and is an invited speaker for Lilly, PharmaMar and reports research grant from PharmaMar; SSta has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Deciphera, Eli Lilly, Daiichi, MaxiVAX, Novartis, invited speaker fees from GSK and PharmaMar, expert testimony fee from Bavarian Nordic and Epizyme and institutional research funding from Amgen Dompé, Advenchen, Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, Deciphera, Eli Lilly, Epizyme, Daiichi, GSK, Karyopharm, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar, SpringWorks and Hutchinson MediPharma International Inc. and carried out nonremunerated activities for CTOS, Chordoma Foundation, Epithelioid Haemangioendothelioma Foundation, Desmoid Foundation, EORTC STBSG and Italian Sarcoma Group Onlus. AB, AD, AFer, AMF, PJ, DAK, FLG, ABM, MM, CMo, RP, AAS, CS, DS, AT and MU have declared no conflicts of interests.

Competing Interests: Disclosure SJS has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK); NA non-remunerated leadership and advisory roles for Sociedade Portuguesa de Cirurgia; JB has no personal financial disclosure, received research grants (institutional) from Eli Lilly, Novartis, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, Paxman Coolers Ltd, Sun Pharma and non-remunerated advisory role for Novartis, non-remunerated leadership activities for Immuno-oncology society of India, Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology, Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Foundation and Indian cooperative oncology network; SB has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Deciphera, Blueprint Medicines, Lilly, Novartis, Daiichi-Sankyo, Plexxikon, Roche, GSK, invited speaker fees from Pfizer and PharmaMar, institutional research grant from Novartis, institutional research as principal investigator (PI) for Daiichi-Sankyo, Roche, Deciphera, Lilly, Novartis, Blueprint Medicines, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Incyte, non-remunerated activities for Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArm) and founding member of German Sarcoma Foundation; RB reports non-remunerated activities as PI for IRCSS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute and IRE-ISG Regina Elena Institute, participation at the Clinical Experience Exchange Meeting, III IDBN National Congress 2019, Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), IRE-ISG Regina Elena Institute and Lazio Association of Orthopaedic Hospital Traumatologists (ALOTO); SBi has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards from Bayer Healthcare, Boehringer Ingelheim, ClinGen, Hofmann La Roche, Ipsen, Eli Lilly and Sensorion, non-remunerated activities for Bayer and membership of the German Pediatric Oncology Society and European Musculoskeletal Oncology Society; JYB received research support from Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), Roche, GSK, Novartis, Bayer, PharmaMar outside the present work; SBon has received honoraria for advisory board from Nanobiotix and as invited speaker for PharmaMar, trial research grant from the Institut National du Cancer (INCa); IB has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Roche, Lilly, Sanofi, Pierre Fabre, Ipsen, and as invited speaker for Amgen, BMS, Novartis, Leo Pharma, AstraZeneca and Genesis, member of Board of Directors for Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology, Hellenic Society of Sarcomas and Rare Tumors, Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), PI trial research support from Novartis, BMS, Regeneron, MSD, Lilly and Roche; JVMGB receives royalties from UpToDate and Wolters Kluwer, and direct research funding from TRACON pharmaceuticals; KB has received honoraria for expert testimony and advisory boards for Bayer, invited speaker fees and research grant from Eli Lilly, PI for Deciphera and Novartis; TB has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer and Eli Lilly, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Novartis; EDÁ has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Bayer, invited speaker for Lilly, PharmaMar and Roche, institutional research support from Pfizer, Roche and AstraZeneca; APDT has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer and Roche, invited speaker for PharmaMar and Novartis; XGDM has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Ipsen, EUSA Pharma, BMS, Pfizer, Roche and PharmaMar, invited speaker for Lilly, Astellas Pharma, Eisai and Pfizer and institutional research grant from AstraZeneca; ME has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Clinigen and Bayer, consulting fees from Blueprint Medicines, institutional research funding from Novartis; AF has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Novartis and invited speaker fees for MSD and Amgen; VF has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards and speaker fees for BMS, Novartis and MSD and speaker fees from Pierre Fabre; NG has received honoraria as invited speaker for Eisai and reports membership of the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE), ACCELERATE, Societe Francaise de lutte contre les cancers et leucemies de l'enfant et de l'adolescent (SFCE) and Groupe Onco- hématologie Adolescents et Jeunes Adultes (GO-AJA); SG has reported institutional research for Blueprint Medicines and member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and AIOM; HG has reported PI research for Daiichi, Deciphera and Novartis, co-ordinating PI for Boehringer Ingelheim and AmMax Bio; FG has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Amgen and expert testimony for Deciphera, stock ownership for Atlanthera, licensing fees from Zimmer, non-remunerated activities for 3D-Side and INCa DGOS funding and member of the board of NetSarc the French clinical reference network for soft tissue and visceral sarcomas; GG has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Lilly, Eisai, Merck, Bayer and GSK, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Novartis, institutional grants from PharmaMar, Bayer and Novartis; AG has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer, Lilly, PharmaMar, SpringWorks and Nanobiotix, invited speaker for Lilly, PharmaMar and research grant from PharmaMar; RH has received honoraria from GSK; ABH is a member of Board of Directors for EIT health UK and Ireland, received or currently receives direct research funding as a PI from Roche, performs work in clinical trials or contracted research for the Institution and Clinical Director of the Oncology and Haematology Directorate, Oxford Cancer Centre; SHN reports institutional research role as deputy PI for Eisai, non-remunerated activity for Harmonization International Bones Sarcoma Consortium (HIBISCus), membership of SIOPE, German, Swiss, Austrian Society of Paediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH) and German Society of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ); NH has received honoraria as expert testimony and invited speaker from PharmaMar, performs work in clinical trials or contracted research for which his/her institution received financial support from PharmaMar, Lilly, Adaptimmune Therapeutics, AROG Pharmaceuticals, Bayer, Eisai, Lixte, Karyopharm, Deciphera, GSK, Novartis, Blueprint Medicines, Nektar Therapeutics, Forma, Amgen and Daiichi-Sankyo, non-remunerated leadership roles for Grupo Español de Investigación en Sarcomas (GEIS) and SELNET, and has non-remunerated membership or affiliation with ESMO, Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica (SEOM), ASCO, Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC); PH has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Pfizer, Roche and GSK, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Lilly, clinical expert fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, institutional research funding for clinical trials from Siemens, Novartis, Blueprint Medicines and meeting sponsorship from PEKKIP Oncology, non-remunerated activities for the German Sarcoma Foundation (DSS), German Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG) and Interdisciplinary Working Party on Sarcomas (IAWS) of the German Cancer Society (DKG), advisory role for the German Cancer Aid (DKH) Committee on Health Technology Assessment and Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN); HJ has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Orion Pharma, Neutron Therapeutics and Maud Kuistila Memorial Foundation, had full time or part time employment at Orion Pharma, until 31 August 2020, stocks in Orion Pharma and Sartar Therapeutics; RLJ has received honoraria for expert testimony consultancy for Adaptimmune, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Blueprint Medicines, Clinigen, Eisai, Epizyme, Daiichi, Deciphera, Immune Design, Lilly, SpringWorks, Tracon, UpToDate, PharmaMar, advisory board for Athenex, institutional research grant from MSD; CJ has received travel grants from Ipsen and PharmaMar; LK has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Novartis and Agios; BK has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, Boehringer Ingelheim, SpringWorks, GSK and PharmaMar, institutional research support from PharmaMar and SpringWorks, member of EORTC and Chair of the EORTC soft tissue and bone sarcoma group (STBSG); AK has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Daiichi-Sankyo and Otsuka and invited speaker fees from Novartis, Taiho and Eisai; KK has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Bayer and expert testimony for Eli Lilly and Roche; ALC has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Deciphera and Lilly, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Bayer; EL received honoraria from SpringWorks Therapeutics for scientific advisory board participation and member of the European Reference Network GENTURIS; AL has received institutional research grants from Johnson & Johnson, Alphamed, Medacta and ImplanTec, non-remunerated activities for European Musculoskeletal Society (EMSOS), Austrian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OGO) and membership of CTOS; ALP has received honoraria as invited speaker for PharmaMar, institutional research funding from the Spanish Health Ministry, reported non-remunerated activities as PI for PharmaMar, Cebiotex, Deciphera, Lilly, GSK, Daiichi, Epizyme, Advenchen Laboratories, Novartis, Karyopharm, Blueprint medicines, GEIS and other activity for EORTC; JMB has received honoraria for expert testimony for Lilly, PharmaMar, Eisai, Bayer, invited speaker fee from PharmaMar, institutional research for PharmaMar, Eisai, Novartis, Immix Biopharma, Lixte, Karyopharm, Bayer, Celgene, Pfizer, BMS, Blueprint Medicines, Deciphera, Nektar Therapeutics, Forma, Amgen, Daiichi-Sankyo, Lilly, AROG Pharmaceutcials, Adaptimmune and GSK; OM has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for MSD, Megapharm, AstraZeneca, Takeda and Progenetics, invited speaker fees from MSD and Roche; CM has performed non-remunerated activities for International Cancer Imaging Society and EORTC STBSG; OMi has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, MSD, Pfizer, invited speaker fees from BMS, Eli Lilly, Ipsen, Roche and Servier, institutional research for Blueprint Medicines, Bayer, Epizyme and Eli-Lilly; BM has received honoraria from Clinigen as invited speaker; EP has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for SynOx, Daiichi-Sankyo and Deciphera Pharmaceuticals and invited speaker fees from Peer View Educational; MAP has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Roche, invited speaker fees from Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and Novartis, expert testimony from Blueprints Medicine and institutional research grant from Novartis; SPN has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Immunocore; PR has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Clinigen, Roche, MSD, Deciphera, Mundibiopharma, PharmaMar, Blueprint Medicines, invited speaker fees from Lilly, PharmaMar, institutional research for PharmaMar, Karyopharm, SpringWorks, AROG Pharmaceuticals, Blueprint, Deciphera, Amgen, Astellas, Epizyme, Lilly, MSD, Pfizer, Novartis and Philogen, membership of German Sarcoma Foundation; PRu has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for MSD, BMS, Pierre Fabre, Merck, Sanofi, Blueprint Medicines, invited speaker fees from MSD, BMS, Pierre Fabre, Merck, Sanofi, Novartis, institutional research funding from Pfizer, BMS and non-remunerated activities for the Polish Society of Surgical Oncology and ASCO; MS has received honoraria for travel grant from PharmaMar and writing engagement for Lilly; SS has reported a research grant from Johnson & Johnson and research funding from Roche Austria; PS has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Deciphera, Blueprint Medicines, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ellipses Pharma, Transgene, Exelixis, Medscape, Guided Clarity, Ysios, Modus Outcomes, Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie, Curio Science, institutional honoraria for advisory boards for Blueprint Medicines, Ellipses Pharma, Intellisphere, expert testimony for Advanced Medical/Teladoc Health, institutional research funding from CoBioRes NV, Eisai, G1 Therapeutics, Novartis and PharmaMar; SSl Chair of Centre for Personalised Cancer Treatment and Route Personalised Medicine, Dutch Science Agenda, member of supervisory board for SkylineDX and Scientific advisory committee Pan-Cancer T BV; KSH reports non-remunerated activity for CTOS as President 2020 and membership of the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group; MAJvdS has performed work in clinical trials or contracted research for which the institution received financial support from Daiichi-Sankyo, Implantcast and Carbofix; WTAvdG has received institutional honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer and GSK, institutional research grants from Novartis and Lilly and consultancy work for SpringWorks; WJvH has received institutional honoraria for participation in advisory board for Belpharma, invited speaker fees from Amgen, expert testimony for Sanofi and MSD, personal travel grant from Novartis and institutional research grant from BMS; TF reported institutional research funding from the Foundation ARC and Ligue Régionale contre le Cancer, leadership role for ERN GENTURIS; PGC has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Bayer, institutional research funding from Amgen Dompé, Advenchen, Bayer, Blueprint, Deciphera, Eli Lilly, Epizyme, Daiichi, GSK, Karyopharm, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar, SpringWorks, AROG Pharmaceuticals and Eisai, non-remunerated activities for the Italian Sarcoma Group, European School of Oncology, Federation of Italian Cooperative Groups and Rare Cancers Europe; SSta has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Deciphera, Eli Lilly, Daiichi, Maxivax, Novartis, invited speaker fees from GSK and PharmaMar, expert testimony fee from Bavarian Nordic and Epizyme, institutional research funding from Amgen Dompé, Advenchen, Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, Deciphera, Eli Lilly, Epizyme, Daiichi, GSK, Karyopharm, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar, SpringWorks and Hutchinson MediPharma International Inc., non-remunerated activities for CTOS, Chordoma Foundation, Epithelioid Haemangioendothelioma Foundation, Desmoid Foundation, EORTC STBSG and Italian Sarcoma Group Onlus. AMF, AB, SBo, BB, AD, FF, AFer, PJ, DAK, FLG, ABM, MM, CMo, RP, AAS, CS, DS, AT, MU and RL have declared no conflicts of interests.

Competing Interests: Disclosure AG has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer, Lilly, PharmaMar, SpringWorks and Nanobiotix, invited speaker for Lilly, PharmaMar and research grant from PharmaMar; APDT has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer and Roche, invited speaker for PharmaMar and Novartis; NA Non-remunerated leadership and advisory roles for Sociedade Portuguesa de Cirurgia; JB has no personal financial disclosure, received research grants (institutional) from Eli Lilly, Novartis, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, Paxman Coolers Ltd, Sun Pharma and non-remunerated advisory role for Novartis, non-remunerated leadership activities for Immuno-oncology society of India, Indian society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology, Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Foundation and Indian cooperative oncology network; SB has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Deciphera, Blueprint Medicines, Lilly, Novartis, Daiichi-Sankyo, Plexxikon, Roche, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), invited speaker fees from Pfizer and PharmaMar, institutional research grant from Novartis, institutional research as principal investigator (PI) for Daiichi-Sankyo, Roche, Deciphera, Lilly, Novartis, Blueprint Medicines, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), Incyte, non-remunerated activities for Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArm) and founding member of German Sarcoma Foundation; RB reports non-remunerated activities as PI for IRCSS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute and IRE-ISG Regina Elena Institute, participation at the Clinical Experience Exchange Meeting, III IDBN National Congress 2019, Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), IRE-ISG Regina Elena Institute and Lazio Association of Orthopaedic Hospital Traumatologists (ALOTO); SBI has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards from Bayer Healthcare, Boehringer Ingelheim, Clinigen, Hoffmann-La Roche, Ipsen, Eli Lilly and Sensorion, non-remunerated activities for Bayer and membership of the German Paediatric Oncology Society and European Musculoskeletal Oncology Society; JYB received research support from Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), Roche, GSK, Novartis, Bayer, PharmaMar outside the present work; SBon has received honoraria for advisory board from Nanobiotix and as invited speaker for PharmaMar, trial research grant from the Institut National du Cancer (INCa); IB has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Roche, Lilly, Sanofi, Pierre Fabre, Ipsen, and as invited speaker for Amgen, BMS, Novartis, Leo Pharma, AstraZeneca and Genesis, member of Board of Directors for Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology, Hellenic Society of Sarcomas and Rare Tumors, Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG), PI trial research support from Novartis, BMS, Regeneron, MSD, Lilly and Roche; JVMGB receives royalties from UpToDate and Wolters Kluwer, and direct research funding from TRACON pharmaceuticals; KB has received honoraria for expert testimony and advisory boards for Bayer, invited speaker fees and research grant from Eli Lilly, PI for Deciphera and Novartis; TB has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer and Eli Lilly, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Novartis; EDÁ has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Bayer, invited speaker for Lilly, PharmaMar and Roche, institutional research support from Pfizer, Roche and AstraZeneca; XGDM has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Ipsen, EusaPharma, BMS, Pfizer, Roche and PharmaMar, invited speaker for Lilly, Astellas Pharma, Eisai and Pfizer and institutional research grant from AstraZeneca; ME has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Clinigen and Bayer, consulting fees from Blueprint Medicines, institutional research funding from Novartis as PI; AF has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Novartis and invited speaker fees for MSD and Amgen; VF has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards and speaker fees for BMS, Novartis and MSD and speaker fees from Pierre Fabre; SG has reported institutional research for Blueprint Medicines and member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and AIOM; HG has reported PI research for Daiichi, Deciphera and Novartis, Co-ordinating PI for Boehringer Ingelheim and AmMax Bio; FG has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Amgen and expert testimony for Deciphera, stock ownership for Atlanthera, licensing fees from Zimmer, non-remunerated activities for 3D-Side and INCa DGOS funding and member of the board of NetSarc the French clinical reference network for soft tissue and visceral sarcomas; GG has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Lilly, Eisai, Merck, Bayer and GSK, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Novartis, institutional grants from PharmaMar, Bayer and Novartis; RH has received Honoraria from GSK; ABH is a member of Board of Directors for EIT Health UK and Ireland, received or currently receives direct research funding as a PI from Roche, performs work in clinical trials or contracted research for the Institution and Clinical Director of the Oncology and Haematology Directorate, Oxford Cancer Centre; SHN received invited speaker fee from University Hospital Basel, Switzerland for Swiss sarcoma symposium, reports institutional research role as deputy PI for Eisai, non-remunerated activity for Harmonization International Bones Sarcoma Consortium (HIBISCus), membership of European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), German, Swiss, Austrian Society of Paediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH) and German Society of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ); NH has received honoraria as expert testimony and invited speaker from PharmaMar, performs work in clinical trials or contracted research for which his/her institution received financial support from PharmaMar, Lilly, Adaptimmune Therapeutics, AROG Pharmaceutcials, Bayer, Eisai, Lixte, Karyopharm, Deciphera, GSK, Novartis, Blueprint Medicines, Nektar Therapeutics, Forma, Amgen and Daiichi-Sankyo, non-remunerated leadership roles for Grupo Español de Investigación en Sarcomas (GEIS) and SELNET, and has non-remunerated membership or affiliation with ESMO, Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica (SEOM), ASCO, Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC); PH has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Pfizer, Roche and GSK, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Lilly, clinical expert fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, institutional research funding for clinical trials from Siemens, Novartis, Blueprint Medicines and meeting sponsorship from PEKKIP Oncology, non-remunerated activities for the German Sarcoma Foundation (DSS), German Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG) and Interdisciplinary Working Party on Sarcomas (IAWS) of the German Cancer Society (DKG), advisory role for the German Cancer Aid (DKH) Committee on Health Technology Assessment and Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN); HJ has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Orion Pharma, Neutron Therapeutics and Maud Kuistila Memorial Foundation, had full-time or part-time employment at Orion Pharma, until 31 August 2020, stocks in Orion Pharma and Sartar Therapeutics; RLJ has received honoraria for expert testimony consultancy for Adaptimmune, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Blueprint Medicines, Clinigen, Eisai, Epizyme, Daiichi, Deciphera, Immunedesign, Lilly, SpringWorks, TRACON, UpToDate, PharmaMar, advisory board for Athenex, institutional research grant from MSD; CJ has received travel grants from Ipsen and PharmaMar; LK has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Novartis and Agios; BK has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, Boehringer Ingelheim, SpringWorks, GSK and PharmaMar, institutional research support from PharmaMar and SpringWorks, member of EORTC and Chair of the EORTC soft tissue and bone sarcoma group (STBSG); AK has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Daiichi-Sankyo and Otsuka and invited speaker fees from Novartis, Taiho and Eisai; KK has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Bayer and expert testimony for Eli Lilly and Roche; ALC has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Deciphera and Lilly, invited speaker fees from PharmaMar and Bayer; EL received honoraria from SpringWorks Therapeutics for scientific advisory board participation and member of the European Reference Network GENTURIS; AL has received institutional research grants from Johnson & Johnson, Alphamed, Medacta and Implantec, non-remunerated activities for European Musculoskeletal Society (EMSOS), Austrian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OGO) and membership of CTOS; AL-P has received honoraria as invited speaker for PharmaMar, institutional research funding from the Spanish Health Ministry, reported non-remunerated activities as PI for PharmaMar, Cebiotex, Deciphera, Lilly, GSK, Daiichi, Epizyme, Advenchen Laboratories, Novartis, Karyopharm, Blueprint Medicines, GEIS and other activity for EORTC; JMB has received honoraria for expert testimony for Lilly, PharmaMar, Eisai, Bayer, invited speaker fee from PharmaMar, institutional research for PharmaMar, Eisai, Novartis, Immix Biopharma, Lixte, Karyopharm, Bayer, Celgene, Pfizer, BMS, Blueprint Medicines, Deciphera, Nektar Therapeutics, Forma, Amgen, Daiichi-Sankyo, Lilly, AROG Pharmaceuticals, Adaptimmune and GSK; OM has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for MSD, Megapharm, AstraZeneca, Takeda and Progenetics, invited speaker fees from MSD and Roche; CM has performed non-remunerated activities for International Cancer Imaging Society and EORTC STBSG; OMi has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, MSD, Pfizer, invited speaker fees from BMS, Eli Lilly, Ipsen, Roche and Servier, institutional research for Blueprint Medicines, Bayer, Epizyme and Eli Lilly; BM has received honoraria from Clinigen as invited speaker; EP has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for SynOx, Daiichi-Sankyo and Deciphera Pharmaceuticals and invited speaker fees from Peer View Educational; MAP has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Roche, invited speaker fees from Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Novartis, expert testimony from Blueprints Medicine and institutional research grant from Novartis; SPN has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Immunocore; PR has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Clinigen, Roche, MSD, Deciphera, Mundibiopharma, PharmaMar, Blueprint Medicines, invited speaker fees from Lilly, PharmaMar, institutional research for PharmaMar, Karyopharm, SpringWorks, AROG Pharmaceuticals, Blueprint, Deciphera, Amgen, Astellas, Epizyme, Lilly, MSD, Pfizer, Novartis and Philogen, membership of German Sarcoma Foundation; PRu has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for MSD, BMS, Pierre Fabre, Merck, Sanofi, Blueprint Medicines, invited speaker fees from MSD, BMS, Pierre Fabre, Merck, Sanofi, Novartis, institutional research funding from Pfizer, BMS and non-remunerated activities for the Polish Society of Surgical Oncology and ASCO; MS has received honoraria for travel grant from PharmaMar and writing engagement for Lilly; SS has reported a research grant from Johnson & Johnson and research funding from Roche Austria; PS has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Deciphera, Blueprint Medicines, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ellipses Pharma, Transgene, Exelixis, Medscape, Guided Clarity, Ysios, Modus Outcomes, Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie, Curio Science, institutional honoraria for advisory boards for Blueprint Medicines, Ellipses Pharma, Intellisphere, expert testimony for Advanced Medical/Teladoc Health, institutional research funding from CoBioRes NV, Eisai, G1 Therapeutics, Novartis and PharmaMar; SSl Chair of Centre for Personalised Cancer Treatment and Route Personalised Medicine, Dutch Science Agenda, Member of supervisory board for SkylineDX and Scientific advisory committee Pan-Cancer T BV; SSt has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for GSK; KSH reports non-remunerated activity for CTOS as President 2020 and membership of the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group; MAJvdS has performed work in clinical trials or contracted research for which the institution received financial support from Daiichi-Sankyo, Implantcast and Carbofix; WTAvdG has received institutional honoraria for participation in advisory boards of Bayer and GSK, institutional research grants from Novartis and Lilly, and consultancy work for SpringWorks; WJvH has received institutional honoraria for participation in advisory board for Belpharma, invited speaker fees from Amgen, expert testimony for Sanofi and MSD, personal travel grant from Novartis and institutional research grant from BMS; TF reported institutional research funding from the Foundation ARC and Ligue Régionale contre le Cancer, leadership role for ERN GENTURIS; PGC has received honoraria for participation in advisory board for Bayer, institutional research funding from Amgen Dompé, Advenchen, Bayer, Blueprint, Deciphera, Eli Lilly, Epizyme, Daiichi, GSK, Karyopharm, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar, SpringWorks, AROG Pharmaceuticals and Eisai, non-remunerated activities for the Italian Sarcoma Group, European School of Oncology, Federation of Italian Cooperative Groups and Rare Cancers Europe; SSta has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards for Bayer, Deciphera, Eli Lilly, Daiichi, Maxivax, Novartis, invited speaker fees from GSK and PharmaMar, expert testimony fee from Bavarian Nordic and Epizyme, institutional research funding from Amgen Dompé, Advenchen, Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, Deciphera, Eli Lilly, Epizyme, Daiichi, GSK, Karyopharm, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar, SpringWorks and Hutchinson MediPharma International Inc., non-remunerated activities for CTOS, Chordoma Foundation, Epithelioid Haemangioendothelioma Foundation, Desmoid Foundation, EORTC STBSG and Italian Sarcoma Group Onlus; AAS, AB, ABM, AD, AFer, AMF, AT, BB, CMo, CS, DAK, DS, FF, FLG, MM, MU PJ, RP and SBo have declared no conflicts of interests.

Introduction: Palliative chemotherapy is the principal treatment of patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS); however prognosis is limited (median overall survival 12-19 months). In this setting, patient values and priorities are central to personalised treatment decisions., Patients and Methods: The prospective HOLISTIC study was conducted in the UK and the Netherlands assessing health-related quality of life in STS patients receiving palliative chemotherapy. Participants completed a questionnaire before starting chemotherapy, including attitudes towards quality of life (QoL) versus length of life (LoL), decisional control preferences, and decisional conflict. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to evaluate associations between patient characteristics and preferences., Results: One hundred and thirty-seven patients with advanced STS participated (UK: n = 72, the Netherlands: n = 65). Median age was 62 (27-79) years. Preference for extended LoL (n = 66, 48%) was slightly more common than preference for QoL (n = 56, 41%); 12 patients (9%) valued LoL and QoL equally (missing: n = 3). Younger patients (age <40 years) prioritised LoL, whereas two-thirds of older patients (aged ≥65 years) felt that QoL was equally or more important than LoL (P = 0.020). Decisional conflict was most common in patients who prioritised QoL (P = 0.024). Most patients preferred an active (n = 45, 33%) or collaborative (n = 59, 44%) role in treatment decisions. Gender, performance status, and country were significantly associated with preferred role. Concordance between preferred and actual role in chemotherapy decision was high (n = 104, 76%)., Conclusions: Heterogeneous priorities and preferences among advanced STS patients support personalised decisions about palliative treatment. Considering individual differences during treatment discussions may enhance communication and optimise patient-centred care., Competing Interests: Disclosure RLJ is the recipient of grants/research support from Merck Sharp & Dohme, GlaxoSmithKline. RLJ is the recipient of consultation fees from Adaptimmune, Athenex, Blueprint, Clinigen, Eisai, Epizyme, Daichii, Deciphera, Immune Design, Lilly, Merck, Pharmamar, UptoDate. WvdG has received research grants from Novartis, has been on advisory board from Bayer and is consultant for SpringWorks. The other authors have declared no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Adolescents and young adults aged 15-39 years with cancer face unique medical, practical and psychosocial issues. In the UK, principal treatment centres and programmes have been designed to care for teenage and young adult patients aged 13-24 years in an age-appropriate manner. However, for young adults (YAs) aged 25-39 years with cancer, little access to age-specific support is available. The aim of this study was to examine this possible gap by qualitatively exploring YA care experiences, involving patients as research partners in the analysis to ensure robust results., Materials and Methods: We conducted a phenomenological qualitative study with YAs diagnosed with any cancer type between ages 25 and 39 years old in the last 5 years. Participants took part in interviews or focus groups and data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results were shaped in an iterative process with the initial coders and four YA patients who did not participate in the study to improve the rigor of the results., Results: Sixty-five YAs with a range of tumour types participated. We identified seven themes and 13 subthemes. YAs found navigating the healthcare system difficult and commonly experienced prolonged diagnostic pathways. Participants felt under-informed about clinical details and the long-term implications of side-effects on daily life. YAs found online resources overwhelming but also a source of information and treatment support. Some patients regretted not discussing fertility before cancer treatment or felt uninformed or rushed when making fertility preservation decisions. A lack of age-tailored content or age-specific groups deterred YAs from accessing psychological support and rehabilitation services., Conclusions: YAs with cancer may miss some benefits provided to teenagers and young adults in age-tailored cancer services. Improving services for YAs in adult settings should focus on provision of age-specific information and access to existing relevant support., (Copyright © 2021 The Royal College of Radiologists. All rights reserved.)

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is an ultra-rare, translocated, vascular sarcoma. EHE clinical behavior is variable, ranging from that of a low-grade malignancy to that of a high-grade sarcoma and it is marked by a high propensity for systemic involvement. No active systemic agents are currently approved specifically for EHE, which is typically refractory to the antitumor drugs used in sarcomas. The degree of uncertainty in selecting the most appropriate therapy for EHE patients and the lack of guidelines on the clinical management of the disease make the adoption of new treatments inconsistent across the world, resulting in suboptimal outcomes for many EHE patients. To address the shortcoming, a global consensus meeting was organized in December 2020 under the umbrella of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) involving >80 experts from several disciplines from Europe, North America and Asia, together with a patient representative from the EHE Group, a global, disease-specific patient advocacy group, and Sarcoma Patient EuroNet (SPAEN). The meeting was aimed at defining, by consensus, evidence-based best practices for the optimal approach to primary and metastatic EHE. The consensus achieved during that meeting is the subject of the present publication., Competing Interests: Disclosure SS: Honoraria, consultancy or advisory role: Adaptimmune, Bayer, Daiichi Sankyo, Deciphera, Epizyme, Eli Lilly, Glaxo, Immune Design, Karyopharm, MaxiVAX, Novartis, PharmaMar; Institutional financial interests: Advenchen, Amgen Dompè, Bayer, Epizyme, Eli Lilly, Daiichi Sankyo, Glaxo, Hutchison MediPharma, Karyopharm, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar, SpringWorks. AMF: Institutional financial interests: Advenchen, Amgen Dompè, Bayer, Epizyme, Eli Lilly, Daiichi Sankyo, Glaxo, Hutchison MediPharma, Karyopharm, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar, SpringWorks. AC: Advisory board: Angelini Holding S.p.A, Shionogi B.V., L. Molteni & C., Kyowa Kirin S.r.l.; invited speaker King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center. JB: Uncompensated advisory board: Novartis; research funding (institutional) from Eli Lilly, Novartis, Roche, Samsung Bioepis Co. Ltd, Paxman Coolers Ltd, Sun Pharma. SB: Personal fees from Bayer, Deciphera, Lilly, Daiichi Sankyo, Plexxikon, Exelixis, PharmaMar, Lilly, Roche, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK); grants from Incyte, grants and personal fees from Blueprint Medicines, Novartis; research funding (institutional) Pfizer. SB: Research support from Novartis, Incyte, Blueprint Medicines; honoraria or consultation fees from Novartis, Lilly, Pfizer, PharmaMar, Bayer. JYB: Research support and honoraria from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), Roche, Bayer, Novartis, GSK, Deciphera, OSE Pharma, AstraZeneca. Member of the supervisory board: Innate Pharma. SB: Honoraria from PharmaMar. JVMGB: Research funding from TRACON Pharmaceuticals; Royalties from UptoDate and Wolters Kluwer. KB: Advisory: Bayer; expert testimony: Bayer; invited speaker: Lilly; institutional research funding: Lilly. TB: Advisory board from Bayer; honoraria: Novartis, PharmaMar, Eli Lilly. ME: Consultant for Blueprint Medicines; advisory boards for Clinigen and Bayer. AF; Honoraria: Amgen, Lilly, Roche, MSD; research funding; MSD, Roche, Clovis, AstraZeneca. BMS; Abbvie. VF: Consulting or advisory role: BMS, MSD, Novartis; speakers' bureau: BMS, MSD, Novartis, Pierre Fabre. XGdM: Advisory boards for Ipsen, EUSA Pharma, BMS, Pfizer, Roche, PharmaMar; honoraria from Lilly, Astellas Pharma, Eisai, Pfizer. HG: Reports institutional funding from Novartis, Deciphera. FG: Honoraria from Deciphera, Amgen; stock ownership from Atlanthera; royalties from Zimmer. GG: Grants/research supports: PharmaMar, Novartis, Bayer; honoraria or consultation fees: PharmaMar, Bayer, Merck, Eisai, Novartis, Glaxo. NH: Research grants from PharmaMar, Eisai, Immix BioPharma and Novartis; honoraria and travel grants from PharmaMar; and research funding for clinical studies (institutional) from PharmaMar, Eli Lilly and Company, Adaptimmune Therapeutics, AROG, Bayer, Eisai, Lixte, Karyopharm, Deciphera, GSK, Novartis, Blueprint, Nektar, Forma, Amgen and Daiichi Sankyo. PH: Honoraria for consultations and speaker's fees from Roche, GSK, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, PharmaMar, Lilly, Nanobiotix, Novartis, EISAI, Nektar, Sirtex and Pekkip Oncology; research funding and educational grants from Novartis, Siemens, Boehringer, Merck, BLUMedicine and Springer; trial support to my institution by Novartis and Siemens. PH: Advisory roles for Sarcoma UK and National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation; research grants from Sarcoma UK, Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation, Children's Cancer and Leukemia Group and Cancer Research UK, funding from EHE Rare Cancer Charity (UK). HJ: Chair of the Orion Pharma Scientific Advisory Board, chair of Neutron Therapeutics Advisory Board; he has been employed by Orion Pharma, and owns stocks of Orion Pharma and Sartar Therapeutics. RJ: Advisory board Adaptimmune, Athenex, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Blueprint, Clinigen, Eisai, Epizyme, Daichii, Deciphera, Immune Design, Lilly, Merck, PharmaMar, SpringWorks, TRACON, UptoDate; honoraria: BMS, MSD, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, Merck, Sanofi. CJ: Travel grants from PharmaMar, Ipsen. BK: Reports advisory board Bayer, Blueprint, Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, PharmaMar, SpringWorks; research funding (institutional) PharmaMar, SpringWorks. AK: Advisory board Otsuka; invited speaker for Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Taiho. ALC: Advisory boards with Lilly, PharmaMar, Deciphera, Blueprint. AL: Reports institutional financial interest, and educational grant from Alphamed, ImplanTec, Johnson & Johnson, Medacta. JMB: Research grants from PharmaMar, Eisai, Immix BioPharma and Novartis; honoraria from PharmaMar, Lilly, Bayer, Eisai, Daichii. Travel grants from PharmaMar; advisory board: Roche, Lilly, PharmaMar; research funding for clinical studies (institutional) from PharmaMar, Eli Lilly and Company, Adaptimmune Therapeutics, AROG, Bayer, Eisai, Lixte, Karyopharm, Deciphera, GSK, Novartis, Blueprint, Nektar, Forma, Amgen, Celgene, Pfizer, BMS, and Daiichi Sankyo. OMe: Consultation fees from MSD, AstraZeneca, Takeda, Megapharm, Medison, Progenetics; supported lecture: MSD, AstraZeneca, Roche, BMS. OMi: Consultancy for Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BMS, Eli Lilly, Ipsen, Lundbeck, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Servier, Vifor Pharma; Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly, Roche, Servier; Stock ownership: Amplitude Surgical, Ipsen, Transgene. EP: Advisory boards for Amgen, Daiichi Sankyo, Lilly, Deciphera, EUSA Pharma, and SynOx Therapeutics; research support from BMS, Pfizer, PharmaMar, Daiichi Sankyo, Incyte; travel support from Lilly, PharmaMar and Takeda. MAP: Advisory board Lilly, Pfizer, Roche. SP: Consultant: Deciphera, Daichi Sankyo, Dova, Epizyme, MaxiVAX; Research/Grant Support: Blueprint Medicines, Hutchison MediPharma. SPN: Advisory board for Immunocore. AR: Consulting role with Lilly, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim; research funding from CASI Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lilly, Novartis, Deciphera, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, Boston Biomedical, BMS, MedImmune, Amgen, GSK, Blueprint Medicines, Merck, AbbVie, Adaptimmune. PRe: Advisory roles for Bayer, Clinigen, Roche, MSD, Deciphera, PharmaMar, Mundibiopharma, and speaker's honoraria from Lilly, PharmaMar. BPR: Reports advisory board from Deciphera. PRu: Advisory board MSD, BMS, Merck, Sanofi, Pierre Fabre, Blueprint Medicines; honoraria from BMS, MSD, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, Merck, Sanofi. MS: Travel grant from PharmaMar. SJS: Advisory boards for Lilly and GSK. WDT: Reports fees from Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Eisai, Mundipharma, C4 Therapeutics, Daiichi Sankyo, Blueprint, GSK, Agios Pharmaceuticals, NanoCarrier, Deciphera; patent Companion Diagnostic for CDK4 inhibitors - 14/854 329 pending to MSKCC/SKI, and patent Enigma and CDH18 as companion Diagnostics for CDK4 inhibition – SKI2016-021-03 pending to MSKCC/SKI and Scientific Advisory Board - Certis Oncology Solutions, Stock Ownership Üo-Founder - Atropos Therapeutics; Stock Ownership/scientific advisory board Innova Therapeutics. WTAWDG: Reports consultancy from SpringWorks to her institute; research grant support from Novartis and Lilly to her institute; advisory for Bayer to her institute. AJW: Consulting: Daiichi Sankyo, Deciphera, Epizyme, Mundipharma; research support to my Institution: Aadi Bioscience, Daiichi Sankyo, Deciphera, Eli Lilly, Karyopharm, Plexxikon. PGC: Honoraria, consultancy or advisory role: Bayer, Deciphera, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Pfizer. Institutional financial interest: Advenchen Laboratories, Amgen Dompé, AROG Pharmaceuticals, Bayer, Blueprint Medicines, Daiichi Sankyo, Deciphera, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Epizyme, Glaxo, Hutchinson MediPharma, Karyopharm, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar. APDT: Honoraria: Roche, Bayer, Pharmamar, MSD. AG: Compensations for Advisory boards from Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer, Lilly, PharmaMar, SpringWorks, Nanobiotix; honoraria from Lilly and PharmaMar; institutional research grants from PharmaMar. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

It is well recognised that adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer have inequitable access to oncology services that provide expert cancer care and consider their unique needs. Subsequently, survival gains in this patient population have improved only modestly compared with older adults and children with cancer. In 2015, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) established the joint Cancer in AYA Working Group in order to increase awareness among adult and paediatric oncology communities, enhance knowledge on specific issues in AYA and ultimately improve the standard of care for AYA with cancer across Europe. This manuscript reflects the position of this working group regarding current AYA cancer care, the challenges to be addressed and possible solutions. Key challenges include the lack of specific biological understanding of AYA cancers, the lack of access to specialised centres with age-appropriate multidisciplinary care and the lack of available clinical trials with novel therapeutics. Key recommendations include diversifying interprofessional cooperation in AYA care and specific measures to improve trial accrual, including centralising care where that is the best means to achieve trial accrual. This defines a common vision that can lead to improved outcomes for AYA with cancer in Europe., Competing Interests: Funding The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (no grant number) and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) (no grant number) were the legal sponsors of this position paper. No research funding for the meetings or manuscript preparation was received from any third parties. Disclosure DS reports receipt of research grants from Teenage Cancer Trust. FAP reports personal financial interest as a Scientific Director at the European School of Oncology; receipt of lecture/presentation fees from Prime Oncology and Takeda; receipt of honoraria for advisory board participation/advisory services from Roche, AstraZeneca, Clovis and Ipsen. LF reports receipt of funding from Teenage Cancer Trust. IB-S reports receipt of speaker fees from Roche, Novartis and Pfizer; direct research funding as Principal Investigator from Roche; financial support to institution for clinical trials from Roche. OS reports receipt of honoraria for advisory board participation from Genuity Science. LH reports receipt of speaker fees from Roche. WTAvdG reports receipt of research funding from Novartis, honoraria for advisory board from Bayer and consultancy fees from SpringWorks, all to her institutes. SB reports receipt of honoraria for advisory board participation from Pfizer, Bayer, Lilly, Novartis and Isofol. GM reports receipt of speakers fees from AstraZeneca, Roche, MSD, BMS, Pfizer, Takeda, Janssen, Novartis and Sanofi; receipt of consultancy fees from AstraZeneca, Roche, MSD, BMS, Novartis and Sanofi; direct research funding as Principal Investigator from AstraZeneca, Novartis and MSD; financial support to institution for clinical trials from AstraZeneca, Novartis and MSD. ES reports receipt of honoraria for the provision of advisory services from Roche Hellas, BMS, Pfizer Hellas, AstraZeneca, Amgen Hellas and Dimiourgiki Farmakeutikon Ypiresion AE; receipt of research funding from Astellas Pharma; travel and education support from Roche Hellas, Pfizer Hellas, Astellas Pharma, Novartis (Hellas), MSD Greece and Enorasis. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data of sarcoma survivors are scarce and the impact of age remains unclear. The aims of this population-based study were to (i) compare HRQoL scores amongst three age-groups [adolescents and young adults (AYA, aged 18-39 years), older adults (OA, aged 40-69 years) and elderly (aged ≥70 years)]; (ii) compare HRQoL of each sarcoma survivor age group with an age- and sex-matched normative population sample; (iii) determine factors associated with low HRQoL per age group., Methods: Dutch sarcoma survivors, who were 2-10 years after diagnosis, were invited to complete the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30-questions questionnaire on HRQoL., Results: In total, 1099 survivors (58% response rate) completed the questionnaire: 186 AYAs, 748 OAs and 165 elderly. The median time since diagnosis for all patients was 5.2 years. Bone sarcomas were seen in 41% of AYAs, 22% of OAs and in 16% of elderly survivors (P < 0.01). AYA and OA survivors reported statistically significant and clinically meaningful worse physical, role, cognitive, emotional and social functioning compared with a matched norm population, which was not the case for elderly survivors. AYAs reported significantly worse scores on emotional and cognitive functioning compared with OA and elderly survivors. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, osteosarcoma and chordoma were the subtypes of which survivors reported the lowest HRQoL scores in comparison with the norm. For all age groups, chemotherapy, having a bone sarcoma and having comorbidities were most frequently associated with low scores on HRQoL subscales, whereas a shorter time since diagnosis was not., Conclusion: In this nationwide sarcoma survivorship study, the disease and its treatment had relatively more impact on the HRQoL of AYA and OA survivors than on elderly survivors. These results emphasise the need for personalised follow-up care that not only includes risk-adjusted care related to disease relapse, but also age-adjusted care., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors have declared no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of malignancies with mesenchymal lineage differentiation. The discovery of neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions as tissue-agnostic oncogenic drivers has led to new personalized therapies for a subset of patients with sarcoma in the form of tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors. NTRK gene rearrangements and fusion transcripts can be detected with different molecular pathology techniques, while TRK protein expression can be demonstrated with immunohistochemistry. The rarity and diagnostic complexity of NTRK gene fusions raise a number of questions and challenges for clinicians. To address these challenges, the World Sarcoma Network convened two meetings of expert adult oncologists and pathologists and subsequently developed this article to provide practical guidance on the management of patients with sarcoma harboring NTRK gene fusions. We propose a diagnostic strategy that considers disease stage and histologic and molecular subtypes to facilitate routine testing for TRK expression and subsequent testing for NTRK gene fusions., Competing Interests: Disclosure KB has received consultant fees from Bayer and Merck, and research support from Bayer, Merck, and Eli Lilly. GDD discloses scientific consultancy with sponsored research to Dana-Farber from Bayer, Pfizer, Novartis, Roche/Genentech, Epizyme, LOXO Oncology, AbbVie, GSK, Janssen, PharmaMar, ZioPharm, Daiichi Sankyo, Adaptimmune, and Mirati; scientific consultancy for GSK, EMD Serono, Sanofi, ICON plc, WCG/Arsenal Capital, Polaris Pharmaceuticals, MJ Hennessy/OncLive, C4 Therapeutics, Synlogic, and MEDSCAPE; consultant/SAB member with minor equity holding for G1 Therapeutics, Caris Life Sciences, Champions Biotechnology, Bessor Pharma, Erasca Pharmaceuticals, RELAY Therapeutics, and Caprion/HistoGeneX; board of directors member and scientific advisory board consultant with minor equity for Blueprint Medicines, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals (ended Oct 2019), and Translate BIO; royalties from Novartis to Dana-Farber for use of patent of imatinib in GIST; non-financial interests with McCann Health, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, and AACR Science Policy and Government Affairs Committee (Chair). JD discloses advisory/consultancy roles for Amgen, Novartis, Lilly, GSK, Pierre Fabre, and Eisai; institutional research funding from Novartis, Lilly, GSK, Roche/Genentech, BMS, AstraZeneca, and BeiGene. PH discloses consultancy fees from Roche and Pfizer, and research support from Novartis. HJ has a co-appointment at Orion Pharma, has received fees from Neutron Therapeutics, and owns stocks of Orion Pharma and Sartar Therapeutics. YKK discloses consultancy for Taiho, Ono, Merck, Daehwa, BMS, Astellas, Zymeworks, ALX ONCOLOGY, Amgen, Novartis, MacroGenics, and Surface Oncology. SP discloses grant support from Blueprint Medicines and Hutchison MediPharma; consultancy for Daiichi Sankyo, Epizyme, Dova, Decimera, Bayer, and Immune Design. FPL discloses advisory/consultancy roles for Bayer and Roche, and institutional research grants from Bayer. PR has received honoraria for lectures and advisory boards from Novartis, MSD, Roche, BMS, Sanofi, Merck, Amgen, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, and Blueprint Medicines, outside the scope of this report. WDT discloses advisory/consultancy roles for Lilly, EMD Serono, Eisai, Janssen, Immune Design, Daiichi Sankyo, Blueprint Medicines, LOXO Oncology, GSK, Agios Pharmaceuticals, NanoCarrier, Deciphera, Certis Oncology Solutions, and Atropos Therapeutics; patent for CDK4 inhibitor companion diagnostic (14/854 329) pending to MSKCC/SKI; stock ownership in Certis Oncology Solutions and Atropos Therapeutics; participation in FDA ODAC meeting for pexidartinib. DT is the CEO of a non-profit company, Omico, which undertakes precision oncology activities across Australia. He has received honoraria or consultant fees from Roche, Pfizer, Bayer, AstraZeneca, Merck, and the Maine Cancer Genome Initiative. He has received research support from Roche, Pfizer, Bayer, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Eisai, Illumina, and Sun Pharma. JZ discloses honoraria from Pfizer, Merck Serono, Specialized Therapeutics, Targovax, Halozyme, Gilead Sciences, and Bayer; advisory/consultancy roles for Pfizer, Merck Serono, Targovax, MSD, Sirtex Medical, Halozyme, Lipotek, Novella, and Khloris Biosciences; institutional research funding from Bayer, Merck Serono, Roche, BMS, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Specialized Therapeutics, Baxalta/Shire, Lilly, Boehringer-Ingelheim, and MSD; travel/accommodation/expenses from Merck Serono, AstraZeneca, MSD, Deciphera, and Sirtex; shareholder/stockholder/stock options in GW Pharmaceuticals, Aimmune, Vertex, Bluebird Bio, Alnylam, BioMarin, Sage Therapeutics, Dova Pharmaceuticals, Therapeutics MD, Juno Therapeutics, Kite Pharma, Kiadis Pharma, CSL Ltd, Cochlear, Amarin, Freq Therapeutics, Global Blood Therapeutics, Gilead, uniQure, Sangamo, Acceleron, Zogenix, Myovant Science, and Khloris Biosciences; board of directors for Praxis Australia; non-remunerated activities for Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (Chair), National Oncology Alliance (co-Chair), and All.Can Australia (co-Chair). All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cancer-related fatigue remains a prevalent and burdensome symptom experienced by patients with advanced cancer. Our aim was to assess the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or graded exercise therapy (GET) on fatigue in patients with advanced cancer during treatment with palliative intent., Patients and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from 1 January 2013 to 1 September 2017. Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer who reported severe fatigue during treatment [Checklist Individual Strength, subscale fatigue severity (CIS-fatigue) ≥35] were accrued across nine centers in The Netherlands. Patients were randomly assigned to either 12 weeks of CBT or GET, or usual care (1 : 1: 1, computer-generated sequence). Primary outcome was CIS-fatigue at 14 weeks. Secondary outcomes included fatigue measured with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30), quality of life, emotional functioning, physical functioning, and functional impairments at baseline, 14, 18, and 26 weeks., Results: Among 134 participants randomized, the mean age was 63 (standard deviation 9) years and 77 (57%) were women. Common diagnoses included: breast (41%), colorectal (28%), and prostate cancer (17%). A total of 126 participants completed assessment at 14 weeks. Compared with usual care, CBT significantly reduced fatigue [difference -7.2, 97.5% confidence interval (CI) -12.7 to -1.7; P = 0.003, d = 0.7], whereas GET did not (-4.7, 97.5% CI -10.2 to 0.9; P = 0.057, d = 0.4). CBT significantly reduced EORTC-QLQ-C30 fatigue (-13.1, 95% CI -22.1 to -4.0; P = 0.005) and improved quality of life (10.2, 95% CI 2.4 to 17.9; P = 0.011) and physical functioning (7.1, 95% CI 0.5 to 13.7; P = 0.036) compared with usual care. Improvement in emotional functioning and decrease in functional impairments failed to reach significance. GET did not improve secondary outcomes compared with usual care., Conclusions: Among advanced cancer patients with severe fatigue during treatment, a CBT intervention was more effective than usual care for reducing fatigue. Following GET, patients reported lower fatigue, but results were not significant, probably due to a smaller sample size and lower adherence than anticipated., Trial Registration: Netherlands National Trial Register, identifier: NTR3812., (Copyright © 2019 European Society for Medical Oncology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS, ARMS) are subtypes of RMS that mainly occur in children, with relatively good outcomes. The incidence in adults is extremely low and survival is significantly worse compared with children. Data are scarce and literature generally combines all RMS subtypes, including pleomorphic RMS, which primarily occurs in adults and behaves more like undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient and tumour characteristics, outcome and prognostic factors in adult patients with ERMS and ARMS., Materials and Methods: All adult (18 years or older) ERMS and ARMS patients (presenting 1990-2016) were identified from a prospectively maintained database and were included in this analysis., Results: Overall, 66 patients were included (42 men, 24 women). The median age at presentation was 28 years (range 18-71). The median overall survival for all ARMS (n = 42) and ERMS (n = 24) patients was 18 months, with a 5-year overall survival rate of 27%. Patients presenting with localised disease (n = 38, 58%) and metastatic disease (n = 25, 42%), had a 5-year overall survival rate of 36% and 11%, respectively. In univariate analysis we found alveolar subtype, fusion gene positivity, infiltrative tumour and metastatic presentation to be negative prognostic factors., Conclusion: Survival in adult ERMS and ARMS patients is poor and the current data may be useful in the design of trials with novel agents. Ideally, paediatric and adult oncologists should set up trials together to get a better understanding of biological, genetic and clinically relevant factors in this disease., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Angiosarcomas are rare malignant tumors with a heterogeneous clinical presentation and generally poor prognosis. It has been difficult to establish consistent molecular characteristics and driver events in angiosarcoma development. Oncogenic and angiogenesis-related pathways have been investigated pre-clinically and clinically with varying results. A few promising responses to checkpoint inhibitors have been described, but immunological features require further elucidation. With this review we present an overview of the critical biological pathways and processes affected in angiosarcoma, and their potential role in novel, non-cytotoxic, systemic treatments., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: A cohort of 201 patients with small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) treated between January 1st, 2009 and December 31st, 2016 in five GIST expertise centers in the Netherlands was analyzed. Goal of this study was to describe the clinical, surgical and pathological characteristics of this rare subpopulation of GIST patients, registered in the Dutch GIST registry., Methods: Clinical outcomes and risk factors of patients with small bowel GIST who underwent surgery or treated with systemic therapy were analyzed. A classification was made based on disease status at diagnosis (localized vs. metastasized)., Results: 201 patients with small bowel GIST were registered of which 138 patients (69%) were diagnosed with localized disease and 63 patients (31%) with metastatic disease. Approximately 19% of the patients had emergency surgery, and in 22% GIST was an accidental finding. In patients with high risk localized disease, recurrence occurred less often in patients who received adjuvant treatment (4/32) compared to patients who did not (20/31, p < 0.01). Disease progression during palliative imatinib treatment occurred in 23 patients (28%) after a median of 20.7 (range 1.8-47.1) months. Ongoing response was established in 52/82 patients on first line palliative treatment with imatinib after a median treatment time of 30.6 (range 2.5-155.3) months., Conclusion: Patients with small-bowel GIST more frequently present with metastatic disease when compared to patients with gastric GIST in literature. We advocate for Prospective registration of these patients and investigate the use of surgery in patients with limited metastatic disease., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.)

Background: TKIs are a long-term treatment for GIST, and may have an impact on caregivers., Material and Methods: For this cross-sectional study, patients and caregivers were both included when patients had been treated with TKIs for at least six months. Caregivers completed questionnaires including demographics, distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale), burden (Self-Perceived Pressure from Informal Care) general health (RAND-36), comorbidity (Self-administered Comorbidity Questionnaire), social support (Social Support List - Discrepancies) and marital satisfaction (Maudsley Marital Questionnaire). Patients completed similar questionnaires, without 'burden'. We conducted analyses to explore differences between caregivers with low/moderate versus high levels of burden and low versus high levels of distress., Results: Sixty-one out of seventy-one eligible couples (84%) were included in the analysis. The median age of the caregivers was 60 years; 66% were female and 78% were the patients' spouse. The median age of the patients was 66 years; 43% were female. Caregivers experienced high levels of burden and distress in 10% and 23%, respectively. Caregivers with high levels of burden perceived significantly lower mental health, less vitality, lower general health and high levels of distress. Significantly higher levels of burden were found in non-spouses, caregivers of patients with more treatment-related side-effects, caregivers who spent more hours caring, and those caring for more than one person. For distress, caregivers with high levels of distress perceived significantly more burden, lower social functioning, more role physical and emotional problems, lower mental health, less vitality and lower general health. Furthermore, high levels of distress were found in caregivers of more dependent patients and those caring for more than one person., Conclusions: Caregivers of the patients with GIST treated with TKI are managing well. There is a small, vulnerable group of caregivers with high levels of burden and/or distress, show more health-related problems, both physical and mental, and require adequate support.

Objectives: In 2010, a new subtype of salivary gland cancer (SGC), (mammary analogue) secretory carcinoma (SC), was defined, characterized by the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene. As clinical behavior and outcome data of this histological subtype tumor are still sparse, we aimed to describe the clinicopathological course and outcome of a series of translocation positive SC patients., Patient and Methods: We re-evaluated the pathological diagnosis of a subset of SGCs, diagnosed in 4 of 8 Dutch head and neck centers. Subsequently, tumors with a morphological resemblance to SC were tested for the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene using RT-PCR. Furthermore, patients prospectively diagnosed with SC were included. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were retrieved from the patient files., Results: Thirty-one patients with ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene positive SC were included. The median age was 49 years, 17 patients (55%) were male. Eighteen tumors (58%) arose in the parotid gland. One patient presented with lymph node metastasis. All patients underwent tumor resection and 4 patients had a neck dissection. Four patients had re-resection and 15 patients (48%) received postoperative radiotherapy. One patient developed a local recurrence, no regional recurrences or distant metastases were observed. After a median follow-up of 49 months the 5- and 10-year overall survival were 95%, the 5- and 10-year disease free survival were 89%., Conclusion: The clinical course of SC is favorable with a low rate of locoregional recurrence and excellent survival. Given the low incidence of nodal metastases, elective neck treatment, i.e. surgery and/or radiotherapy, does not seem to be indicated., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is an orphan malignancy associated with a rearrangement of transcription factor E3 (TFE3), leading to abnormal MET gene expression. We prospectively assessed the efficacy and safety of the MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib in patients with advanced or metastatic ASPS., Patients and Methods: Eligible patients with reference pathology-confirmed ASPS received oral crizotinib 250 mg bd. By assessing the presence or absence of a TFE3 rearrangement, patients were attributed to MET+ and MET- sub-cohorts. The primary end point was the objective response rate (ORR) according to local investigator. Secondary end points included duration of response, disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), progression-free rate, overall survival (OS) and safety., Results: Among 53 consenting patients, all had a centrally confirmed ASPS and 48 were treated. A total of 45 were eligible, treated and assessable. Among 40 MET+ patients, 1 achieved a confirmed partial response (PR) that lasted 215 days and 35 had stable disease (SD) as best response (ORR: 2.5%, 95% CI 0.6% to 80.6%). Further efficacy end points in MET+ cases were DCR: 90.0% (95% CI 76.3% to 97.2%), 1-year PFS rate: 37.5% (95% CI 22.9% to 52.1%) and 1-year OS rate: 97.4% (95% CI 82.8% to 99.6%). Among 4 MET- patients, 1 achieved a PR that lasted 801 days and 3 had SD (ORR: 25.0%, 95% CI 0.6% to 80.6%) for a DCR of 100% (95% CI 39.8% to 100.0%). The 1-year PFS rate in MET- cases was 50% (95% CI 5.8% to 84.5%) and the 1-year OS rate was 75% (95% CI 12.8% to 96.1%). One patient with unknown MET status due to technical failure achieved SD but stopped treatment due to progression after 17 cycles. The most common crizotinib-related adverse events were nausea [34/48 (70.8%)], vomiting [22/48 (45.8%)], blurred vision [22/48 (45.8%)], diarrhoea (20/48 (41.7%)] and fatigue [19/48 (39.6%)]., Conclusion: According to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) efficacy criteria for soft tissue sarcoma, our study demonstrated that crizotinib has activity in TFE3 rearranged ASPS MET+ patients., Clinical Trial Number: EORTC 90101, NCT01524926.

Uterine sarcomas (US) are rare mesenchymal tumours of the uterus and are divided mainly into uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS), low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS), high grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HG-ESS), adenosarcomas and high grade undifferentiated sarcoma (HGUS). US are often high-grade tumours with a high local recurrence rate and metastatic risk. We here discuss the current standard of care and knowledge of systemic therapy for adult uterine sarcomas, in particular uLMS, LG-ESS, HG-ESS and HGUS, in both the adjuvant as well as the metastatic setting., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: In the past years, interest in patient treatment preferences is growing. Our objectives were: (1) to assess and compare the minimal required benefit for patients with cancer, patients without cancer and healthcare professionals to make chemotherapy acceptable and (2) to obtain insight into attitudes towards societal costs of cancer treatment., Patients and Methods: We performed a prospective survey consisting of hypothetical scenarios among patients with cancer, patients without cancer and healthcare professionals. Participants were asked to indicate the minimal desired benefit in terms of chance of cure, life prolongation and symptom relief which would make intensive and mild chemotherapy regimens acceptable. In two other scenarios, attitudes towards monthly costs for chemotherapy treatment were examined., Results: The minimal benefit required to make chemotherapy acceptable did not differ between cancer and non-cancer patients, with respect to chance of cure (mean 57%), life prolongation (median 24 months) and symptom relief (mean 50%); healthcare providers were likely to accept the same chemotherapy regimen at lower thresholds (p < 0.01). Education level was an important explanatory variable and the differences between patients and healthcare professionals disappeared when corrected for education level. Opinions about the maximum acceptable costs for chemotherapy displayed a large spread between the groups., Conclusions: Minimal benefits to accept chemotherapy were not different between cancer and non-cancer patients, but are beyond what can generally can be achieved. Healthcare professionals were willing to accept chemotherapy for less benefit. This difference may be attributed to a difference in education level between the groups. Healthcare professionals rated the maximum acceptable societal cost for chemotherapy lower than patients.

Background: Uterine sarcomas are a group of mesenchymal tumours comprising several histologies. They have a high recurrence rate following surgery, modest outcome to systemic therapy, and poor overall survival. Pazopanib is a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for non-adipocytic advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Here we investigated whether response to pazopanib in patients with uterine sarcomas differs from that of patients with non-uterine sarcomas., Patients and Methods: Uterine sarcoma patients were retrieved from all soft tissue sarcoma patients treated with pazopanib in EORTC Phase II (n=10) and Phase III (PALETTE) (n=34) studies. Patient and tumour characteristics, response, progression free and overall survival data were compared., Results: Forty-four patients with uterine sarcoma were treated with pazopanib. The majority of patients had uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) (n=39, 88.6%) with high grade tumours (n=37, 84.1%) compared to 54.8% (n=164) in the non-uterine population. The median age was 55years (range 33-79) and median follow up was 2.3years. Uterine patients were heavily pre-treated, 61.3% having ≥2 lines of chemotherapy prior to pazopanib compared to 40.8% in the non-uterine population. Five patients (11%), all LMS, had a partial response (95% CI 3.8-24.6). Median progression free survival (PFS) 3.0months (95% CI 2.5-4.7) in uterine versus 4.5 (95% CI 3.7-5.1) in non-uterine STS. Median overall survival (OS) was 17.5months (95% CI 11.1-19.6), longer than the non-uterine population, 11.1months (95% CI 10.2-12.0) (p=0.352)., Conclusions: Despite heavy pre-treatment, pazopanib shows signs of activity in patients with uterine sarcoma with the similar outcomes to patients with non-uterine STS., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To evaluate whether trabectedin as first-line chemotherapy for advanced/metastatic soft tissue sarcoma prolongs progression-free survival (PFS), compared to doxorubicin and, in the phase IIb part here, to select the most appropriate trabectedin treatment schedule (3-hour or 24-hour infusion) in terms of safety, convenience and efficacy., Patients and Methods: In this randomised multicentre prospective dose-selection phase IIb superiority trial, 133 patients were randomised between doxorubicin (n=43), trabectedin (3-hour infusion, T3h) (n=47) and trabectedin (24-hour infusion, T24h) (n=43). PFS was defined as time from random assignment until objective progression by response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST 1.1), a global deterioration of the health status requiring discontinuation of the treatment, or death from any cause., Results: The study was terminated due to lack of superiority in both trabectedin treatment arms as compared to the doxorubicin control arm. Median PFS was 2.8months in the T3h arm, 3.1months in the T24h arm and 5.5months in the doxorubicin arm. No significant improvements in PFS were observed in the trabectedin arms as compared to the doxorubicin arm (T24h versus doxorubicin: hazard ratio (HR) 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-1.90, P=.675; T3h versus doxorubicin: HR 1.50, 95% CI 0.91-2.48, P=.944). Only one toxic death occurred in the T3h arm, but treatment had to be stopped due to toxicity in 7 (15.2%) (T3h), 8 (19.5%) (T24h) and 1 (2.5%) doxorubicin patients., Conclusion: Doxorubicin continues to be the standard treatment in eligible patients with advanced/metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma (STS). Trabectedin 1.5mg/m(2)/24-hour infusion is the overall proven approach to delivering this agent in the second-line setting for patients with advanced or metastatic STS., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) is a rare monoclonal, fibroblastic proliferation characterised by a variable and often unpredictable clinical course. It may affect nearly all parts of the body including extremities, trunk and abdomen. Considering the variable clinical presentations, anatomic locations and biological behaviours, an individualised treatment approach is required. No established or evidence-based approach for the treatment of this neoplasm is available as of today. Therefore, we propose a consensus treatment algorithm based on a round table meeting bringing together sarcoma experts from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group (STBSG) with patient advocates from Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN). The aim of the meeting was to develop - for the first time ever - a consensus approach based on professionals' AND patients' expertise. As a fundamental prerequisite, all patients should be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting in centres or professional networks with a specific expertise in the disease., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Angiosarcoma is a rare subtype of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Doxorubicinis the standard first-line chemotherapy for advanced STS. It is not known whether angiosarcoma response to anthracycline-based chemotherapy is different to other STS subtypes., Methods: Pooled data were analysed from 11 prospective randomised and non-randomized European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) clinical trials of first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy for advanced STS. Baseline patient characteristics, chemotherapy response, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of angiosarcoma patients were compared with other STS patients. Analysis was performed to identify factors prognostic for angiosarcoma response to chemotherapy, PFS and OS., Results: With a median follow-up of 4.2 years, data from 108 locally advanced and metastatic angiosarcoma patients and 2557 patients with other STS histologies were analysed. 25% of angiosarcoma patients had a complete or partial response to chemotherapy compared to 21% for other STS histotypes. The median PFS was 4.9 months and OS 9.9 months, which were not significantly different from other STS histotypes. In univariate analysis, bone metastases were an adverse prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio (HR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–2.67; p = 0.036). Tumour grade was as an adverse prognostic factor for PFS (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.01–2.92; p = 0.044) and OS (HR 2.03; 95% CI 1.16–3.56; p = 0.011). Compared to single agent anthracyclines, doxorubicin + ifosfamide was associated with improved PFS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33–0.86; p = 0.010) and OS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32–0.90; p = 0.018)., Conclusions: Angiosarcoma response and survival following first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy was similar to other STS histotypes. Our analysis provides a useful measure of angiosarcoma response to chemotherapy for comparison with future clinical trials.

Background: Late treatment-related adverse events are particularly prevalent in survivors of childhood bone cancer because of the combination of cytotoxic drugs, major surgery and radiotherapy. Existing studies for late toxicity in survivors of Ewing's sarcoma (ES) and osteosarcoma (OS) diagnosed at adult age have focused on specific sequelae. We investigated a broad spectrum of potential late effects in these patients., Methods: Relapse-free OS and ES patients aged &#8805; 16 at diagnosis and treated at the Radboud University Medical Centre (1982-2007) were invited for systematic late toxicity screening. This included history taking, physical examination, echocardiogram, bone densitometry, audiogram, and serum and urine screening for renal toxicity and infertility. Adverse events were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0., Results: In 24 survivors (63% male, mean age at screening 45.7 years, mean follow-up 10.9 years, 70% OS) we found a median of eight adverse events. Frequent findings included abnormal gait, osteoporosis, pain, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, obesity and nephropathy. The maximum grade of any adverse event was mild in four (17%), moderate in 11 (46%), severe in six (25%), and disabling in three cases (13%). There was a trend towards more events in patients diagnosed at an older age., Conclusion: The incidence of late adverse events in this study of survivors of bone tumours diagnosed at adult age is higher than in any previously published childhood cancer survivorship study. Older patients seem to be particularly at risk. Our findings underscore the need for systematic screening of late effects in bone cancer survivors of adult age at diagnosis.

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that can be subdivided into different groups, based on gene expression profiles or clinicopathological characteristics such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression. The expression of these receptors has both prognostic and predictive value. To improve breast cancer treatment, accurate methods for patient selection and response monitoring are required. One way to achieve this is by using molecular imaging, which can be used to measure the expression and accessibility of tumor-associated antigens in vivo, without the need of invasive biopsies. This review will focus on tumor-receptor imaging for currently approved targeted therapies and discuss the potential role of molecular imaging in the development of new therapeutic agents in breast cancer. Progress has been made in radionuclide imaging of ER, PR, HER2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, which can be used for treatment selection and response prediction to endocrine and other targeted therapy. Moreover, clinical studies have shown the feasibility for molecular imaging of the angiogenic pathway exploiting the expression of antigens closely associated with angiogenesis, such as αvβ3 and VEGF. As proof of concept has been established, further research should be directed towards validation of the imaging methods and the impact on patient management.

High circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels are firmly established as a risk factor for developing breast cancer, especially estrogen positive tumors. The effect of circulating IGF-1 on prognosis once a tumor is established is unknown. The authors explored the effect of IGF-1 blood levels and of it's main binding protein, IGFBP-3, on overall survival and occurrence of second primary breast tumors in breast cancer patients, as well as reproductive and lifestyle factors that could modify this risk. Patients were accrued from six hospitals in the Netherlands between 1998 and 2003. Total IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were measured in 582 plasma samples. No significant association between IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 plasma levels and overall survival was found. However, in a multivariate Cox regression model including standard prognostic variables high IGF-1 levels were related to worse overall survival in patients receiving endocrine therapy (HR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.69, P 0.004). These data at least indicate that higher IGF-1 levels, and as a consequence most likely IGF-1-induced signaling, are related to a less favorable overall survival in breast cancer patients treated with endocrine therapy. Interventions aimed at reducing circulating levels of IGF-1 in hormone receptor positive breast cancer may improve survival., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The optimal target and timing of drugs interfering with the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling system in Ewing's sarcoma (ES) remain undetermined. We examined the expression of IGF signaling proteins in ES samples taken before and after chemotherapy, and speculate about the optimal way of treating ES patients in the future. Tumor material (36 initial biopsies and 24 resection specimens after neoadjuvant chemotherapy) and follow-up data of 41 patients treated for ES at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining was done for IGF1, IGF2, IGFBP3, IGF-1R, phosphorylated AKT (pAKT), phosphorylated mTOR (pmTOR), and phosphorylated ERK (pERK), and staining intensity was scored semiquantitatively. Change of protein expression during treatment, correlations of effector cascade signaling, and influence on progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were tested. All potential targets were widely expressed at both time points. After chemotherapy, pmTOR expression decreased significantly (p = 0.021) while IGFBP3 increased (p = 0.005). Correlations exist between IGF-1R and pERK (ρ = 0.286, p = 0.031), IGF-1R and pAKT (ρ = 0.269, p = 0.045), pAKT and pERK (ρ = 0.460, p = 0.000), and pERK and pmTOR (ρ = 0.273, p = 0.038). In therapy-naive samples, combined expression of pAKT, pmTOR, and pERK predicted worse PFS (median, 11 vs. 32 months; p = 0.039) and OS (median, 18 vs. 83 months; p = 0.023). We identify an unfavorable prognostic group of ES patients with widely activated IGF-effector cascades, demonstrate cooperation between the different downstream pathways, and show how expression of IGF-related proteins may change after exposure to chemotherapy. These findings should be taken into account when designing future trials with IGF-targeting agents. We suggest the prospective exploration of chemotherapy and multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the first-line setting.

Background: To determine the activity of radiotherapy in patients with inoperable desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) a multicenter prospective phase II trial was carried out., Materials and Methods: Patients with inoperable progressive disease of primary, recurrent or incompletely resected lesions received a dose of 56 Gy in 28 fractions. Follow-up MRI studies were carried out every 3 months for 2 years and thereafter every 6 months. The primary end point was local control rate at 3 years, estimated by a nonparametric method for interval-censored survival data. Secondary end points were objective tumor response, acute and late toxic effect., Results: Forty-four patients (27 F/17 M) were enrolled from 2001 to 2008. Median age was 39.5 years. Main tumor sites included trunk 15 (34.1%) and extremities 27 (61.3%). Median follow-up was 4.8 years. The 3-year local control rate was 81.5% (90% one-sided confidence interval 74% to 100%). Best overall response during the first 3 years was complete response (CR) 6 (13.6%), partial response (PR) 16 (36.4%), stable disease 18 (40.9%), progressive disease 3 (6.8%) and nonassessable 1 (2.3%). Five patients developed new lesions. After 3 years, the response further improved in three patients: (CR 2, PR 1). Acute grade 3 side-effects were limited to skin, mucosal membranes and pain. Late toxic effect consisted of mild edema in 10 patients., Conclusions: Moderate dose radiotherapy is an effective treatment of patients with DF. Response after radiation therapy is slow with continuing regression seen even after 3 years.

Background: Radiolabelled antibody targeting of cancer is limited by slow blood clearance. Pretargeting with a non-radiolabelled bispecific monoclonal antibody (bsMAb) followed by a rapidly clearing radiolabelled hapten peptide improves tumour localisation. The primary goals of this first pretargeting study in patients with the anti-CEACAM5 × anti-hapten (HSG) bsMAb, TF2, and the radiolabelled hapten-peptide, IMP288, were to assess optimal pretargeting conditions and safety in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC)., Methods: Different dose schedules were studied in four cohorts of five patients: (1) shortening the interval between the bsMAb and peptide administration (5 days vs 1 day), (2) escalating the TF2 dose (from 75 to 150 mg), and (3) reducing the peptide dose (from 100 to 25 μg). After confirmation of tumour targeting by (111)In-IMP288, patients were treated with a bsMAb/(177)Lu-IMP288 cycle., Results: Rapid and selective tumour targeting of the radiolabelled peptide was visualised within 1 h, with high tumour-to-tissue ratios (>20 at 24 h). Improved tumour targeting was achieved with a 1-day interval between the administration of the bsMAb and the peptide and with the 25-μg peptide dose. High (177)Lu-IMP288 doses (2.5-7.4 GBq) were well tolerated, with some manageable TF2 infusion reactions, and transient grades 3-4 thrombocytopaenia in 10% of the patients who received (177)Lu-IMP288., Conclusion: This phase I study demonstrates for the first time that pretargeting with bsMAb TF2 and radiolabelled IMP288 in patients with CEA-expressing CRC is feasible and safe. With this pretargeting method, tumours are specifically and rapidly targeted.

Aims: Patients with locally advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) have a high risk of tumour perforation, incomplete tumour resections and often require multivisceral resections. Long-term disease-free and overall survival is usually impaired in this group of patients. Induction therapy with imatinib followed by surgery seems to be beneficial in terms of improved surgical results and long-term outcome. We report on a large cohort of locally advanced GIST patients who have been treated in four centres in the Netherlands specialized in the treatment of sarcomas., Methods: Between August 2001 and June 2011, 57 patients underwent surgery for locally advanced GISTs after imatinib treatment. Data of all patients were retrospectively collected. Endpoints were progression-free and overall survival., Results: The patients underwent surgery after a median of 8 (range 1-55) months of imatinib treatment. Median tumour size before treatment was 12.2 (range 5.2-30) cm and reduced to 6.2 (range 1-20) cm before surgery. No tumour perforation occurred and a surgical complete (R0) resection was achieved in 48 (84%) patients. Five-year PFS and OS were 77% and 88%. Eight patients had recurrent/metastatic disease., Conclusions: Imatinib in locally advanced GIST is feasible and enables a high complete resection rate without tumour rupture. The combination of imatinib and surgery in patients with locally advanced GIST seems to improve PFS and OS., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) is a tyrosine kinase receptor mediating cell growth and survival of cancer cells. We studied responses to IGF1R tyrosine kinase inhibitor NVP-AEW541 combined with conventional systemic drugs in breast cancer cell lines of different clinical subtype., Materials and Methods: Sensitivity to NVP-AEW541, single treatment and combinations with tamoxifen, trastuzumab, doxorubicin or paclitaxel, was tested in MCF7, SKBR3 and T47D cells. Cells were assayed for proliferation, cell death, cell cycle distribution and phosphorylation of proteins downstream of IGF1R., Results: Treatment of NVP-AEW541 resulted in reduced proliferation, G-1 cell cycle arrest and reduced phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK). Sensitivity to IGF1R tyrosine kinase inhibition was low in T47D cells, despite their high IGF1R expression. NVP-AEW541 combined with trastuzumab had synergistic cytotoxic effects in T47D cells, and additive effects were shown in MCF7 and SKBR3 cells. Also, combination with doxorubicin had antagonistic effects in T47D cells. Doxorubicin caused up-regulation of phosphorylated ERK in T47D cells, which was not inhibited by NVP-AEW541., Conclusion: Antagonistic effects should be anticipated when IGF1R inhibitors are combined with conventional systemic drugs in a subset of breast tumors. Development of functional biomarkers predicting tumor response to tailored IGF1R therapy is warranted.

Objective: To assess the early vascular effects of sunitinib in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and T2* perfusion MRI., Patients and Methods: In 10 patients with abdominal RCC lesions, DWI, DCE-MRI and T2* perfusion MRI measurements at 3 Tesla were performed at baseline, 3 and 10 days after start of sunitinib. VEGF-A plasma levels were measured on days 0, 3 and 10., Results: DWI showed a significant increase in the apparent diffusion coefficient (×10(-6) s/mm(2)) from baseline (mean 1158, range 814-2003) to day 3 (mean 1306, range 1008-2097, P = 0.015) followed by a decrease to baseline levels at day 10 (mean 1132, range 719-2005, P = 0.001). No significant changes were found in mean DCE-MRI parameters. T2* perfusion MRI showed a significant decrease in relative tumor blood volume (rBV) and relative tumor blood flow (rBF) at day 3 (rBV P = 0.037, rBF P = 0.018) and day 10 (rBV P = 0.006, rBF P = 0.009). VEGF-A plasma levels significantly increased after 10 days, but did not correlate with MRI parameters., Conclusions: Sunitinib induces antiangiogenic effects as measured by DWI and T2*-perfusion MRI, 3 and 10 days after the start of the initial treatment. DCE-MRI did not show significant changes. In the near future, early functional MRI-based evaluation can play an important role in tailoring treatment to the individual patient with RCC. Further investigation is warranted.

Aim: To ensure safety and optimise efficacy, careful patient selection for participation in oncologic phase I trials is warranted. Therefore, we did a validation study on existing phase I prognostic scores, and subsequently aimed to make an even more simple prognostic score., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analysed characteristics and clinical outcome of 122 patients who participated in eight different phase I studies in our centre. A literature search was performed for existing prognostic scores which were validated in our dataset. Additionally, a simple prognostic score able to predict overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), 90-d mortality and duration of participation was developed., Results: In our population the median OS was 31 (range 4-241) weeks, median PFS was 10 (range 3-119) weeks. Thirteen patients (11%) died within 90-d and median participation duration was 11 (range 1-119) weeks. Two out of five existing prognostic scores could be validated in this dataset for OS. Based on multivariate analyses a new, objective and simple score, consisting of LDH, sodium and haemoglobin, was tested. High score (2-3 points) compared to low score (0-1) significantly predicted OS (HR 1.878, p = 0.003), PFS (HR 1.156, p = 0.038), participation duration (HR 1.858, p = 0.004) and 90-d mortality (OR 4.200, p = 0.022)., Conclusion: We propose a new prognostic model, using LDH, sodium and haemoglobin, helpful to predict OS, PFS, participation duration and 90-d mortality. Larger multicentre studies are needed to validate this score., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Survival in Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is limited. Experience with insulin-like growth factor targeting drugs, which require specific molecular tumour alterations, herald a major breakthrough. We screened for tumour heterogeneity within patients by DNA quantification., Materials and Methods: DNA image cytometry (IC) was performed on 41 samples from 21 patients, evaluating if ploidy state remained constant over time and between different lesions within patients and the prognostic value of ploidy was assessed., Results: DNA content varied over time and different ploidy states were found to coexist at a single timepoint. Non-diploid DNA content was associated with shorter overall survival (median, 19 vs. 84 months, p=0.047)., Conclusion: We encountered a change and heterogeneity of ploidy state. This implies that screening for targets on a single tumour sample is insufficient and may lead to under- or overtreatment. The fact that non-diploid DNA content was associated with an adverse outcome confirms that this technique discriminates biologically different tumour clones.

Objective: Patients with a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) suffering from non-islet cell tumour-induced hypoglycaemia (NICTH), being associated with increased plasma levels of pro-insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-IIE[68-88], have been reported occasionally. We studied the clinical relevance of pro-IGF-IIE[68-88] and other IGF-related proteins in GIST patients., Patients and Methods: Twenty-four patients were included. Plasma samples were collected before 1 week and median 5 months after start of treatment with imatinib, and levels of IGF-I, total IGF-II, pro-IGF-IIE[68-88], insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-2, -3 and -6 were determined. GIST specimens from 17 patients and tumour cyst fluid from two patients were analysed for IGF-II and IGFBP-2., Results: Before treatment and/or during follow-up, 3 of 24 (13%) patients showed increased plasma levels of pro-IGF-IIE[68-88]. All three developed NICTH. Overall, patients with metastatic disease, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase activity or total tumour size >12 cm had the highest pro-IGF-IIE[68-88] levels. Most patients had increased plasma IGFBP-2 levels and these levels were significantly higher in patients with progressive disease. (Pro-)IGF-II was expressed in 82% of GISTs and IGFBP-2 only in one case., Conclusion: We identified pro-IGF-IIE[68-88] as a marker that may be used in the surveillance of GIST.

The development of targeted therapies is a major breakthrough in the treatment of cancer. By evoking necrosis and cavitation, evaluation based on tumour size alone, as is done in the RECIST criteria, is no longer an adequate method. New molecular and functional imaging techniques are developed. This review focuses on the use of new imaging modalities for the evaluation of treatment response of pathway based targeted therapies. First, the basic principles of functional and molecular imaging modalities are briefly discussed. Thereafter, their clinical application in targeted therapies is correlated to the underlying biological mechanism. In this way, the best method for response evaluation for a new agent can be identified.

Positron emission tomography (PET) using [(18)F]-fluoro-2'-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) has an added value in the clinical management of patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC). This includes restaging patients before surgical resection or local recurrence of liver metastases, assessment whether residual lesions are scar or recurrence and in pinpointing recurrence in case of unexplained increase in serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen. At present, there is an increasing interest in new roles for FDG-PET, especially for characterization of lesions, for prognosis and response prediction and for early evaluation of treatment response to commenced therapy. FDG-PET may lead to better selection of patients for different therapeutic options or to early individual adjustment of current treatment. This systematic review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of literature on the current and potential value of FDG-PET in CRC patients by addressing staging and recurrence detection, prognosis and response prediction and evaluation of preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy for primary rectal carcinoma, ablative treatment for unresectable liver metastases and chemotherapy for advanced CRC.

Background: Lack of survival improvement in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer has led to increased awareness of this young population., Design: We carried out a population-based study of incidence and survival of primary tumours and second primary tumours in patients aged 12-24 in north Netherlands. Age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 and 3-year moving means were calculated. Factors associated with incidence and survival were assessed using a Poisson model, log-rank test and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis., Results: From 1989 to 2003 a total of 1118 patients were diagnosed. The total age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 were as follows: males: 13.4 (12-15 years), 26.9 (16-19 years) and 27.5 (20-24 years) and females: 13.9, 20.7 and 20.7. Male : female ratio was 1.32. The overall estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in incidence was 2.15% (P < 0.01). Five-year survival was 80.8% and did not improve during the study period. With median follow-up of 5.5 years (range 0.0-16.0) in our cohort the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of second primary tumours was 30.55 (95% confidence interval = 19.96-44.76, P < 0.05)., Conclusions: The total incidence of cancer in AYA increased (EAPC = 2.15%). Survival was unchanged. The SIR of a second primary tumour in this young cohort increased 31-fold. Further research is needed to study this increasing incidence and optimise treatment outcome in these young patients.

A correct histological diagnosis, careful staging and detection of tumour response to treatment are all crucial in the management of sarcomas. Imaging is important in all of these stages. Sarcomas have distinct biological and treatment-related features posing challenges for imaging. For example, size measurements may not adequately reflect response rates. Techniques which can measure tissue function rather than generate merely anatomical data such as positron emission tomography (PET) are rapidly gaining interest. We discuss the importance of imaging in different stages of patient management, emphasising the unique characteristics of sarcoma. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of PET for the various indications, focussing on therapy evaluation.

Neutropenia following high-dose chemotherapy leads to a high incidence of infectious complications, of which central venous catheter-related infections predominate. Catheter-related infections and associated risk factors in 392 patients participating in a randomized adjuvant breast cancer trial and assigned to receive high-dose chemotherapy and peripheral stem-cell reinfusion were evaluated. Median catheter dwell time was 25 days (range 1-141). Catheter-related infections were seen in 28.3% of patients (11 infections per 1000 catheter-days). Coagulase-negative staphylococci were found in 104 of 186 positive blood cultures (56%). No systemic fungal infections occurred. Cox regression analysis showed that duration of neutropenia >10 days (P=0.04), using the catheter for both stem-cell apheresis and high-dose chemotherapy (P= <0.01), and use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN, P=0.04) were predictive for catheter-related infections. In conclusion, a high incidence of catheter-related infections after high-dose chemotherapy was seen related to duration of neutropenia, use of the catheter for both stem-cell apheresis and high-dose chemotherapy, and use of TPN. Selective use and choice of catheters could lead to a substantial reduction of catheter-related infectious complications.

Background: Recently, case reports of patients treated with imatinib (imatinib mesylate; Gleevec; Glivec) indicated that this tyrosine kinase inhibitor may induce cardiomyopathy. Consequently, careful cardiac monitoring was advocated for clinical studies. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate whether imatinib (Gleevec) induces early, subclinical, cardiac toxicity., Patients and Methods: History and physical examination were carried out with special attention for symptoms of heart failure. Additionally, assessments of serial plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) measurement before and 1 and 3 months after the start of imatinib treatment (400-800 mg daily) were done in patients with advanced and/or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST)., Results: A total of 55 GIST patients were enrolled. Only one patient, with a normal pretreatment NT-proBNP, showed an increase in NT-proBNP to above age-specific normal values during imatinib treatment and developed symptomatic heart failure due to pre-existent cardiac valvular disease. cTnT levels remained stable., Conclusions: In our study population, imatinib treatment for GIST was not associated with an increase in plasma NT-proBNP levels, indicating that the risk of subclinical cardiac toxicity is limited with the use of this agent. These results do not support the current strategy to standard cardiac monitoring in all patients. This may be restricted to GIST patients with a history of cardiac disease.

Background: This article focuses on possible relationships between functioning of adolescents with a parent diagnosed with cancer 1-5 years earlier and family environment., Patients and Methods: In all, 138 patients, 114 spouses and 221 adolescents completed the Family Environment Scale. Additionally, adolescents filled in the Impact of Event Scale and Youth Self-report and parents reported on the adolescents' functioning using the Child Behavior Checklist., Results: Patients and spouses reported that their families differ from the norm; they are more expressive and social, better organized, less controlling and have less conflict. Adolescents reported the same and additionally find their family. Family environment was weakly to moderately strongly negatively related to the adolescents' functioning; family relationships related more strongly to the adolescents' functioning than family structure did. No significant relationship was found between family environment and the adolescents' cancer-related distress. Discrepancy in reports of family environment between parents and between parents and adolescents, in general, did not relate to the adolescents' functioning or distress. Parent-adolescent discrepancy only correlated with adolescent self-reports of their functioning., Conclusion: Families with parental cancer functioned positively. Despite this, family functioning seems to be a risk factor for behavioral and emotional problems in adolescents.

Diffusion tensor imaging and multiple voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy were performed in the MRI follow-up of a patient with a glioma treated with temozolomide chemotherapy. Tumor shrinkage was paralleled by reductions in choline level and by increases in apparent diffusion coefficient indicating decreased cellularity. Within the tumor, choline level and apparent diffusion coefficient showed a significant inverse correlation (P < 0.01). Fractional anisotropy distribution in the tumor correlated positively with N-acetyl aspartate level (P < 0.001), indicating that these parameters reflect (remaining) axonal structure. Tumor lactate level, also found to decrease under therapy, did not correlate with any other parameter.

Aim: Trastuzumab can induce cardiotoxicity, particularly when combined with anthracyclines. Myocardial human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression may be transiently upregulated by a compensatory mechanism following cardiac stress. 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab, scintigraphy can detect HER2 positive tumour lesions, however previously, we found myocardial uptake in only 1 of the 15 anthracycline-pre-treated patients with a median of 11 months after the last anthracycline administration. To evaluate whether myocardial HER2 expression is upregulated by anthracycline-induced cardiac stress or in case of heart failure by chronic pressure or volume overload, we performed 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab scans in patients shortly after anthracyclines and with non-anthracycline-related heart failure., Methods: Patients within 3 weeks after undergoing 4-6 cycles first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy and patients with heart failure due to cardiac disease underwent gammacamera imaging 48 and 96 h after 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab intravenously., Results: Myocardial 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab uptake was observed in 5 out of 10 anthracycline-treated patients, who all were without symptomatic cardiac dysfunction. None of the 10 heart failure patients showed myocardial uptake., Conclusion: Shortly after completion of anthracycline treatment, myocardial HER2 over-expression was detectable in 50% of the patients. 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab scintigraphy after anthracyclines prior to adjuvant trastuzumab potentially identifies patients susceptible for trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity and thus may facilitate the optimal timing of trastuzumab therapy.