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Antonescu, Cristina R.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9717-8205

Mayo Clinic

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Citations 15

PRRX1-rearranged Fibroblastic Tumors
Torres‐Mora, Jorge , Thangaiah, Judith Jebastin, Oliveira, André M. , Malik, Faizan , Din, Nasir Ud , Hassan, Usman , Maqbool, Hina , Caragea, Mara, Schubart, Christian, Grundtmann, Bo, Melchior, Linea Cecilie , Talman, Maj‐Lis, Cheah, Alison L., Thway, Khin , Fisher, Cyril , Torres-Mora, Jorge, Oliveira, Andre, Dehner, Carina , Michal, Michael , Obeidin, Farres , Lee, Cheng‐Han , Schubart, Christian, Agaimy, Abbas , Gross, John , Antonescu, Cristina R. , Linos, Konstantinos

American Journal of Surgical Pathology | October 2, 2025 | Volume: 50 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 31-40

10.1097/pas.0000000000002472 Get It

With the first series of PRRX1 -rearranged tumors published in 2019, the spectrum of these so-called fibroblastic tumors has been expanded. Since then, several smaller case series have been published; however, our understanding of them continues to be quite limited given their rarity. We herein studied 18 additional cases, the largest series to date. Eighteen tumors present in 9 male, 8 female, and 1 nonbinary patient with a median age of 35 years (range: 11 to 70 y) and involved the neck (5), the chest region (4), thigh (3), back (1), shoulder (1), forehead (1), lower leg (1), axilla (1), and the parapharyngeal region (1). Clinical follow-up (9/18 tumors; 50%; median: 10 mo; range: 4 to 40 mo) showed consistent indolent behavior without local recurrences or distant metastases. On morphology, these tumors were characterized by well-circumscription and distinctive peripheral crescent-shaped vessels. They were composed of uniform spindle and round cells growing in short fascicles within often densely hyalinized collagen lacking significant mitotic activity, necrosis, or cytologic atypia. Immunohistochemically, about half of the tested tumors expressed focal to rarely diffuse S100 with occasional co-expression of SOX10. Interestingly, almost half of the tested cases also showed complete loss of RB expression. All but 1 tumor harbored a PRRX1::NCOA1 fusion, while 1 case harbored a novel PRRX1::EP300 fusion. We herein provide additional data on these exceptionally uncommon tumors, expand their molecular spectrum, and compare them to their close morphologic mimics to aid in accurate diagnosis and avoid confusion with potentially more aggressive neoplasms.
A multicenter, randomized, non-comparative, phase II study of nivolumab ± ipilimumab for patients with metastatic sarcoma (Alliance A091401): expansion cohorts and correlative analyses
Seligson, Nathan D. , Chen, James L. , Goodrich, Austin C, Tine, Brian A. Van , Campbell, Jordan D., Richards, Allison L. , Milhem, Mohammed , Streicher, Howard , Tap, William D. , Van Tine, Brian A , D'Angelo, Sandra P , Milhem, Mohammed M , Antonescu, Cristina R. , Liebner, David A. , Schwartz, Gary K. , George, Suzanne

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer | September 29, 2024 | Volume: 12 | Issue: 9 | Pages: e009472

10.1136/jitc-2024-009472 Get It

Background In this open-label, randomized, non-comparative, multicenter phase II study (Alliance A091401) we report on three expansion cohorts treated with nivolumab (N) with and without ipilimumab (N+I) and provide a multi-omic correlative analysis of actionable biomarkers. Methods Patients were randomized (non-comparative) to receive either N or N+I. The primary endpoint was a 6-month confirmed response rate (CRR) defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. Secondary endpoints included treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), progression-free survival, and overall survival. Multi-omic correlative analyses were conducted using samples from both the primary and expansion cohorts. Results A total of 66 patients were evaluated for the primary endpoint with disease including gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST, n=18), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS, n=24), and dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS, n=24). Neither N nor N+I achieved a complete or partial response in the GIST expansion cohort. In DDLPS and UPS, the primary response endpoint of CRR was met with N+I (both 16.6%, 2/12) but not with N alone (both 8.3%, 1/12). In the GIST cohort, TRAE was higher with N+I treatment, halting enrollment as required per protocol. In a correlative analysis of patients for the expansion cohort and the original cohort (n=86), traditional biomarkers of immunotherapy response were not correlated with response in any histological subtype. Markers of genomic instability including the presence of gene fusions and increased subclonal mutations correlated with improved clinical outcomes. Conclusions This expansion cohort reaffirms the outcomes of A091401. There remains a pressing need to determine the role of and predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy in sarcoma. Trial registration number NCT02500797.
A phase 2 study of MK‐2206 in patients with incurable adenoid cystic carcinoma (Alliance A091104)
Ho, Alan L. , Foster, Nathan R. , Vasudeva, Shyamprasad Deraje, Katabi, Nora , Frenette, Gary Patrick, Pfister, David G. , Erlichman, Charles , Ho, Alan L , Antonescu, Cristina R. , Schwartz, Gary K.

Cancer | November 10, 2023 | Volume: 130 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 702-712

10.1002/cncr.35103 Get It

AbstractBackgroundRecurrent/metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, incurable disease. MYB is a putative oncogenic driver in ACC that is often overexpressed through an MYB‐NFIB rearrangement. The authors hypothesized that AKT inhibition with the allosteric inhibitor MK‐2206 could decrease MYB expression and induce tumor regression in patients with incurable ACC (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01604772).MethodsPatients with progressive, incurable ACC were enrolled and received MK‐2206 150 mg weekly; escalation to 200 mg was allowed. The primary end point was confirmed response. Secondary end points were progression‐free survival, overall survival, and safety. An exploratory analysis evaluating the effect of MK‐2206 on MYB expression was conducted in a subset of patients.ResultsSixteen patients were enrolled, and 14 were evaluable for efficacy. No confirmed responses were observed. Thirteen patients had stable disease, and one had disease progression as their best response. The median progression‐free survival was 9.7 months (95% CI, 3.8–11.8 months), and the median overall survival was 18.0 months (95% CI, 11.8–29.9 months). Nine of 16 patients (56%) had at least one grade 3 treatment‐related adverse event, and the most common were rash (38%), fatigue (19%), decreased lymphocyte count (13%), and hyperglycemia (13%). Twelve of 14 tumors (86%) had detectable MYB expression by immunohistochemistry, and seven of 14 tumors (50%) had an MYB‐NFIB gene rearrangement. Serial biopsies revealed decreased MYB levels with MK‐2206 in four of five patients.ConclusionsMK‐2206 failed to induce clinical responses in patients with incurable ACC. AKT inhibition may diminish MYB protein levels, although the effect was highly variable among patients. Novel approaches to target MYB in ACC are needed.
Adamantinoma-like Ewing Sarcoma (ALES) May Harbor FUS Rearrangements
Palsgrove, Doreen N. , Foss, Robert D. , Yu, Wendong , García, Joaquín J., Gagan, Jeffrey , Garcia, Joaquin, Gagan, Jeffrey , Foss, Robert D., Rooper, Lisa M. , Rekhtman, Natasha , Antonescu, Cristina R. , Agaimy, Abbas , Bishop, Justin A.

American Journal of Surgical Pathology | July 26, 2023 | Volume: 47 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1243-1251

10.1097/pas.0000000000002100 Get It

Adamantinoma-like Ewing sarcoma (ALES) is a rare malignancy currently considered a variant of Ewing sarcoma with most known cases harboring EWSR1 rearrangements. Herein we present a series of 6 cases of EWSR1-negative ALES. The tumors arose in the sinonasal tract (n=3), major salivary glands (submandibular gland=1; parotid=1), and anterior mediastinum (n=1) in patients ranging from 25 to 79 years of age. Most tumors were basaloid in appearance, growing in large nests separated by interlobular fibrosis without overt squamous pearls. However, 1 case closely resembled a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor with uniformly round nuclei, eosinophilic cytoplasm, and trabecular architecture. All cases were diffusely positive for pan-cytokeratin, p40 or p63, and CD99. A subset of cases showed diffuse reactivity for synaptophysin, including 1 sinonasal tumor which also demonstrated sustentacular S100 protein expression. Molecular testing showed FUS rearrangements in all cases. Gene partners included known ETS family members FEV (n=2) and FLI1 (n=1). Our results expand the molecular diagnostic considerations for ALES to include FUS rearrangements. We also show that ALES may harbor FUS::FLI1 fusion, which has not been previously reported in the Ewing family of tumors. Furthermore, ALES may show unusual histologic and immunophenotypic features that can overlap with olfactory carcinoma including S100-positive sustentacular cells. ALES should be considered in the diagnostic differential of small round cell tumors and tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation with immunohistochemical workup to include p40 and CD99/NKX2.2.
Tumors of the Soft Tissues
Miettinen, Markku , Fetsch, John F., Folpe, Andrew L. , Wakely, Paul E. , Antonescu, Cristina R.

No container title available | November 30, 2022 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.55418/9781933477312 Get It

Tumors of the Peripheral Nervous System
Scheithauer, Bernd W., Woodruff, James M., Antonescu, Cristina R.

No container title available | November 30, 2022 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.55418/9781933477305 Get It

A novel WWTR1::AFF2 fusion in an intra‐abdominal soft tissue sarcoma with associated endometriosis
Dashti, Nooshin K. , Dermawan, Josephine K. , Schoolmeester, J. Kenneth , Halling, Kevin C. , Antonescu, Cristina R. , Dermawan, Josephine K T

Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer | April 16, 2022 | Volume: 61 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 497-502

10.1002/gcc.23045 Get It

AbstractApplication of molecular testing in clinical practice has led to significant advances in the classification of soft tissue sarcomas. Despite remarkable progress, there are still challenging cases that remain unclassified. In this study, we present an unusual spindle cell sarcoma arising in the abdominal cavity of a 37‐year‐old female. An extensive panel of immunostains was nonspecific for a line of differentiation and the tumor was subjected to targeted RNA sequencing for further classification. The findings showed a novel WWTR1::AFF2 fusion, which was further confirmed by break‐apart FISH analysis for WWTR1 gene rearrangement. The tumor was attached to the wall of sigmoid colon and showed a highly cellular proliferation of plump spindle to epithelioid cells arranged in intersecting fascicles. Areas of extensive endometriosis were identified adjacent to the tumor. The immunoprofile was significant for reactivity with desmin, calponin, WT‐1, ER, and PR, while negative for CD10, SMA, caldesmon, pan‐keratin, ALK, CD117, and S100. The patient is alive and well after 11 months of follow‐up. The exact histogenesis of this sarcoma remains unclear, however, the presence of adjacent endometriosis and coexpression of WT1/ER/PR raises the possibility of an unusual endometrioid stromal sarcoma, occurring outside the GYN tract. Additional cases are needed to establish the recurrent potential of this fusion event and to better define its pathogenesis and clinical behavior.
A multicenter phase II study of nivolumab +/- ipilimumab for patients with metastatic sarcoma (Alliance A091401): Results of expansion cohorts.
Chen, James Lin, Mahoney, Michelle R., Tine, Brian Andrew Van, Tap, William D. , Streicher, Howard , George, Suzanne , Antonescu, Cristina R. , Liebner, David A. , Milhem, Mohammed , Schwartz, Gary K. , D'Angelo, Sandra P

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 25, 2020 | Volume: 38 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 11511-11511

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.11511 Get It

11511 Background: In the open-label multicenter phase II study, A091401, nivolumab (N) and nivolumab+ipilimumab (N+I) demonstrated a confirmed response rate (RR) of 5% and 16%, respectively in patients (pts) with advanced sarcoma (D’Angelo SP et al Lancet Oncology 2018). Responses occurred in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), myxofibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, sarcoma not otherwise specified and alveolar soft part sarcoma. Here, we report efficacy of N and N+I, in each of 3 expansion cohorts [gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), UPS and dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLS)]. Methods: Pts refractory to ≥ 1 regimen(s) were randomized (non-comparative) to receive either N [N (3 mg/kg q2W)] or N+I [N (3 mg/kg Q3W x4, then Q2W) plus I (3 mg/kg q3W x4)]. The primary endpoint was 6 month confirmed RR (RECIST v1.1). For UPS and DDLS, 2 confirmed responses in the 1st 12 evaluable pts was needed (85% power, 1-sided alpha=0.15, 5 v 25% RR). For GIST, a confirmed response in the 1st 9 evaluable pts expanded enrollment to 24 (80% power, 1-sided alpha=0.10, 5 v 20% RR). Other endpoints: adverse events (AEs, TRAEs), progression-free and overall survival (PFS, OS), and correlatives. Results: See table. Clinical trial information: NCT02500797 . Conclusions: Neither N or N+I lead to confirmed responses in GIST. In DDLS and UPS, the primary response endpoint was met with N+I but not with N alone (RR 14% for N+I vs. 7% and 8% for N alone). For the GIST cohort TRAE was higher with N+I, holding enrollment as required per protocol. There remains a pressing need to determine genomic and clinical biomarkers of response, resistance and toxicity. Correlative analyses (whole exome sequencing, multiplex IHC and RNAseq) are in progress. Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02500797. [Table: see text]
A phase II multicenter study of the IGF-1 receptor antibody cixutumumab (A12) and the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus (TEM) in patients (pts) with refractory IGF-1R positive (+) and negative (-) bone and soft tissue sarcomas (STS).
Tap, William D. , Qin, Li‐Xuan , Livingston, Michael B. , Undevia, Samir D., Agulnik, Mark , Schuetze, Scott M. , Okuno, Scott H. , Ludwig, Joseph A. , Hande, Kenneth R., Rietschel, Petra, Brockstein, Bruce , Yim, Vincent, Bitas, Christiana, Schwartz, Gary K. , Chmielowski, Bartosz , Reed, Damon R. , Kraft, Andrew S. , Adkins, Douglas R. , Antonescu, Cristina R. , Maki, Robert G.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 11, 2020 | Volume: 30 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 10003-10003

10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.10003 Get It

10003 Background: Preclinical studies demonstrate synergistic anti-tumor activity by inhibiting mTOR and IGF-1R. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of A12 and TEM in 3 chemo-refractory cohorts: IGF-1R (+) STS (Arm A), IGF-1R (+) bone (Arm B), and IGF-1R (-) bone and STS (Arm C). Methods: An optimal Simon 2 stage design was used for each arm. The primary end-point was progression free survival (PFS) at 12 weeks. Based on historical data, a 40% PFS rate was considered promising and a 20% PFS non-promising (type I/ II error, 0.05/0.10). ≥5 PFSs at 12 weeks were required in the first 19 and ≥16 PFSs were required in a total of 54 pts to consider each arm positive. Key eligibility: measurable disease (RECIST 1.1), age ≥18, 1- 4 priors, ECOG status 0-1. A12 (6 mg/kg) and TEM (25 mg) were administered IV weekly. Pre and post treatment tumor biopsies and plasma for IGF-1 and IGFBP3 were obtained. 20 Sarcoma Centers participated. Results: Starting in 02/2010, 383 pts were tested for IGF-1R by immunohistochemistry (IHC; 54% +) and 171 were treated: mean age 47 (range: 18-80), mean # priors 2.2 (range: 1-4). Grade 3/4 toxicities ≥10%: lymphopenia (12%), mucositis (10%). By intent to treat (ITT) analysis, each arm of the study achieved its primary 12 week PFS end-point (≥16 PFSs): Arm A: 18/56 (32%), Arm B: 19/50 (38%) (4 too early), Arm C: 27/63 (43%). The one-sided 95% CI for 12-week PFS is (0.22, 1), (0.27, 1), and (0.32, 1), respectively. By ITT the median PFS (95% CI) in weeks for each arm is 6.3 (5.9, 12.0), 11.0 (8.0, 18.0) and 11.6 (9.0, 17.9), respectively, and for chondro (n=18), Ewing’s (n=24), and osteo (n=23) only it is 22.6 (5.7, 40.9), 10.4 (5.7, 17.9) and 6.0 (6.0, 18.0), respectively. Westerns on 32 matched pair tumor biopsies indicate inhibition of IGF-1R, pAKT and pS6. Of biopsies on 7 IGF-1R (-) IHC pts (Arm C), 5 were IGF-1R (+) by western. Plasma biomarkers did not correlate with PFS. Conclusions: A12 and TEM met its primary end-point of improved PFS in pts with metastatic sarcoma. This effect was independent of IGF-1R status by IHC. These results support further clinical development of this combination in bone and STS.
Alliance A091103: Multicenter phase II study of the angiopoietin-1 and -2 peptibody trebananib for the treatment of angiosarcoma.
Mahoney, Michelle R., Tine, Brian Andrew Van, Perdekamp, Maria T. Grosse, Condy, Mercedes M., Hartley, Eliza W., Tap, William D. , D'Angelo, Sandra P , Adkins, Douglas R. , Antonescu, Cristina R. , Schwartz, Gary K.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 11, 2020 | Volume: 31 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: TPS10592-TPS10592

10.1200/jco.2013.31.15_suppl.tps10592 Get It

TPS10592 Background: Angiosarcomas (ASs) are rare, aggressive, malignant endothelial cell tumors that constitute 1% to 2% of all soft tissue sarcomas with 5-year survival of 35%. Cytotoxic agents have demonstrated response rates of about 15%. Gene-array data from MSKCC has revealed up-regulation of endothelial associated genes, including active members of the angiopoietin system e.g., Tie2 and Angiopoietin 2 (Ang2). Trebananib (AMG386) is a novel agent that targets Ang1 and Ang2. We hypothesize that inhibition of angiopoietin 2 with trebananib will be an effective therapy in patients (pts) with AS. Methods: This CTEP sponsored, investigator initiated, multi-center phase II study uses trebananib, in pts with AS having metastatic/unresectable AS and conducted through the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (Alliance A091103). Pts must have adequate performance status, organ function, and measurable disease (RECIST v1.1). Patients are treated with trebananib 30mg/kg d1, 8, 15, and 22 every 28 days until either progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint is objective overall response rate (ORR) via RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints include the evaluation of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Translational objectives include correlation of ORR, PFS and OS with i. baseline and post-treatment expression of Ang2 and Tie2 by immunohistochemistry (IHC), ii. serum levels of Ang1 and Ang2, iii. baseline and post-treatment phospho-receptor tyrosine kinase (p-RTK) status of Tie2, VEGFR-2, PI3K, MEK and MAPK, and iv. mutational status of VEGFR-2 and amplification of MYC/FLT4. A Simon Optimal two-stage phase II study design is used and one confirmed response in the first 12 pts expands enrollment to 25. Pre- and post-treatment biopsies will be performed in up to 10 pts treated at MSKCC. Enrollment began in July 2012. As of January 2013, 7 pts have been recruited. Clinicaltrials.gov#: NCT01623869. Funded by the Alliance Clinical Trials in Oncology. NIH Grant CA-25224. Clinical trial information: NCT01623869.