Children's Oncology Group's 2023 blueprint for research: Soft tissue sarcomas

Abstract

AbstractIn the United States, approximately 850–900 children and adolescents each year are diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas (STS). STS are divided into rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and non‐rhabdomyosarcoma STS (NRSTS). RMS and NRSTS are risk stratified into low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk categories, with 5‐year survival rates of approximately 90%, 50%–70%, and 20%, respectively. Recent key achievements from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) STS Committee include the identification of new molecular prognostic factors for RMS, development and validation of a novel risk stratification system for NRSTS, successful completion of a collaborative NRSTS clinical trial with adult oncology consortia, and collaborative development of the INternational Soft Tissue SaRcoma ConsorTium (INSTRuCT). Current COG trials for RMS are prospectively evaluating a new risk stratification system that incorporates molecular findings, de‐intensification of therapy for a very low‐risk subgroup, and augmented therapy approaches for intermediate‐ and high‐risk RMS. Trials for NRSTS exploring novel targets and local control modalities are in development.