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30 citation(s) found for "Hu, Yiqun".

Targeting SYK enhances responses to radiotherapy and PD-1 blockade with myeloid immune remodeling in breast cancer
Zhou, Qin, Dibbs, Anna, Yin, Ping, Pavelko, Kevin D. , Dong, Haidong , Luo, Kuntian, Tu, Xinyi , Lucien, Fabrice , Park, Sean S. , Grams, Michael P. , Xu‐Welliver, Meng , Callaghan, Cameron , Lou, Zhenkun, Mutter, Robert W., Han, Yiqun , Zhu, Shouhai , Yin, Ping, Lou, Zhenkun , Mutter, Robert W. , Lucien-Matteoni, Fabrice

Mayo Clinic

Frontiers in Immunology | September 18, 2026 | Volume: 17 | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.3389/fimmu.2026.1929236 | PMID 42827904 Get It

Introduction Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase involved in immune signaling and has been implicated in tumor-intrinsic resistance to DNA-damaging therapies. Although SYK activity has been associated with poor outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), its role in resistance to combined radiotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade remains unclear. Methods SYK expression and clinical relevance were assessed across multiple breast cancer cohorts, including radiotherapy-treated datasets. Integrated transcriptomic analyses were used to characterize SYK-associated immune states. The functional effects of pharmacologic SYK inhibition were evaluated using in vitro assays and an immunocompetent bilateral 4T1 tumor model in female BALB/c mice treated with radiotherapy and PD-1 blockade. Treatment-associated immune remodeling was assessed by flow cytometry and transcriptomic profiling. Results Across multiple cohorts, elevated SYK expression, particularly in TNBC, was associated with inferior clinical outcomes and immune dysregulation. Pharmacologic SYK inhibition enhanced tumor responses to radiotherapy and PD-1 blockade at both irradiated and distant tumor sites. These effects were accompanied by coordinated remodeling of the tumor immune microenvironment, including suppression of neutrophil-associated signatures and reductions in immunosuppressive myeloid populations, including M2-like macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Discussion Pharmacologic SYK inhibition enhances responses to radiotherapy and PD-1 blockade in preclinical TNBC models and is accompanied by remodeling of the immunosuppressive myeloid compartment. These findings support further investigation of SYK-targeted strategies to improve responses to combined radiotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade.
Treatment-Related Toxicities of Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Breast Cancer: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis
Xu, Hangcheng, Yao, Yuan, Wang, Yucai, Sun, Chenyu, Lin, Yi , Xu‐Welliver, Meng , Ruddy, Kathryn J. , Mutter, Robert W. , Xu, Hangcheng , Han, Yiqun , Sun, Chenyu, Nishimura, Yoshito

Mayo Clinic

Cancer Control | August 20, 2026 | Volume: 33 | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.1177/10732748261480329 | PMID 42619658 Get It

Introduction Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are now widely used in breast cancer across multiple disease subtypes. With increasing clinical use, treatment-related toxicities have become an important factor in therapeutic decision-making. However, comparative safety data among ADCs are limited because direct head-to-head trials are lacking. Methods We conducted a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating ADCs in breast cancer, with the literature search updated through March 31, 2025. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) were classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. A Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis was used to compare toxicity risks across regimens. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% credible intervals (CrIs) were estimated, and surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values were used as descriptive ranking summaries interpreted alongside the corresponding comparative estimates. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024606194). Results Seventeen randomized trials including 8,946 patients and five ADCs—trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), sacituzumab govitecan (SG), trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), and ARX788—were analyzed. SG and T-DXd showed the least favorable hematologic safety profiles, with SUCRA values for anemia/neutropenia of 22.6%/17.4% and 12.0%/27.0%, respectively. T-DM1-based regimens had the highest risk of thrombocytopenia. For gastrointestinal toxicities, SG ranked worst for diarrhea (SUCRA 6.0%), whereas T-DXd was associated with higher risks of nausea (2.2%), vomiting (7.9%), and decreased appetite (8.6%). In analyses of SAEs, SG had the highest rates of anemia (11.7%) and neutropenia (8.5%), while gastrointestinal SAEs occurred more frequently with T-DXd. Conclusions This network meta-analysis highlights clinically meaningful differences in ADC safety profiles and may help guide individualized toxicity management in breast cancer.
ATR senses stiff extracellular matrix to promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and immune suppression
Tu, Xinyi , 孙要良, Ouyang, Yaobin, Zhu, Lingling, Pavelko, Kevin D. , Leon-Ferre, Roberto A., Jiang, Yanxia , Dong, Haidong , Sarkaria, Jann N., Wang, Liewei , Huang, J, Luo, Kuntian, Mutter, Robert W. , Pavelko, Kevin D , Dong, Haidong , Zeng, Xiangyu , Ouyang, Yaobin , Yin, Ping , Carter, Jodi M. , Zhu, Shouhai , Sarkaria, Jann N. , Han, Yiqun , Wu, Zheming , Lou, Zhenkun

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Investigation | July 7, 2026 | Volume: 136 | Issue: 16 | Pages: No page available

10.1172/jci192285 | PMID 42412560 Get It

Our research uncovers a role for ATR in responding to ECM stiffness and promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. ATR, when deubiquitinated and upregulated by USP21 under enhanced ECM stiffness conditions, phosphorylates the nuclear protein SUN2, which promotes β-catenin nuclear translocation and EMT. ATM-mediated EMT promotes polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cell recruitment and inhibits CD103 + dendritic cells, fostering an immunosuppressive tumor milieu. ATR inhibition disrupts this malignant cascade by promoting mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition to enhance antitumor immunity and mitigate metastases. Consistently, circulating HLA-DR + dendritic cells were also enhanced following treatment with the ATR inhibitor berzosertib in patients with therapeutically resistant early-stage breast cancer. Our data suggest that ATR-targeted therapy may be optimized by considering both DNA damage–dependent and EMT-inducing effects of ATR ATR promotes metastasis and immunosuppression through EMT process
Potential BMI-dependent overall survival differences in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors: A Mayo Clinic platform study.
Sun, Chenyu, Billstein, Laura , Zhang, Julie Ying, Fickel, Abigail, Liu, Li , Du, Kaili , Lees, Elizabeth , Sun, Chenyu, Han, Yiqun , Zhang, Julie Ying

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 1110-1110

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.1110 Get It

1110 Background: CDK4/6 inhibitors with endocrine therapy are widely used for HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer (BC). While studies have shown similar progression-free outcomes across agents, overall survival (OS) data are limited. Since OS is a definitive endpoint and BMI may influence outcomes, this study examines BMI-dependent OS differences among CDK4/6 inhibitors. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Mayo Clinic Platform full AMC1 dataset. Postmenopausal women with BC receiving palbociclib/ribociclib/abemaciclib plus aromatase inhibitor (AI) were included. Patients with prior use of fulvestrant, anthracyclines, radiation therapy, GnRH agonists, or history of MACE, heart failure, myocardial infarction, or stroke before BC diagnosis were excluded. Patients were stratified by BMI and CDK4/6 inhibitor. The primary outcome was 5-year OS. Results: Among 1,989 patients (palbociclib: 868; ribociclib: 465; abemaciclib: 656), palbociclib was associated with significantly worse OS compared to ribociclib in BMI <25 (HR 2.91; 95% CI: 1.76–4.79; P < 0.01) and BMI ≥30 (HR 1.91; 95% CI: 1.21–3.01; P < 0.01). Compared to abemaciclib, palbociclib showed worse OS: BMI <25 (HR 1.73; P < 0.01), BMI 25–30 (HR 1.56; P < 0.01), and BMI ≥30 (HR 1.82; P < 0.01). No significant OS differences were observed between ribociclib and abemaciclib. Palbociclib patients were older, particularly in BMI <25 (Cohen's D = 0.39 vs. ribociclib; 0.27 vs. abemaciclib) and BMI ≥30 (0.28 vs. ribociclib; 0.23 vs. abemaciclib). In the BMI 25–30 group, palbociclib group was also older than ribociclib group (Cohen's D = 0.26). Conclusions: In postmenopausal BC patients on AIs and CDK4/6 inhibitors, palbociclib was associated with worse OS in BMI < 25 and BMI ≥ 30 groups, while ribociclib and abemaciclib showed similar outcomes across BMI groups. Palbociclib patients were older than those on other drugs, which may partially confound results; however, in the BMI 25–30 group, despite similar age differences, no survival difference was observed between palbociclib and ribociclib, suggesting age alone may have limited impact. These findings indicate a potential interaction between BMI and drug choice, and highlight the need for prospective studies to confirm and adjust for these variables. Limitations include the observational design and inability to perform multivariable regression analyses to adjust for confounders. Overall survival comparisons by CDK4/6 inhibitor and BMI subgroup. Comparison BMI Group Hazard Ratio (95% CI) P-value Palbociclib vs Ribociclib <25 2.91 (1.76 – 4.79) < 0.01 25 – 30 1.34 (0.87 – 2.071) 0.17 ≥30 1.91 (1.21 – 3.01) < 0.01 Palbociclib vs Abemaciclib <25 1.73 (1.29 – 2.32) < 0.01 25 – 30 1.56 (1.09 – 2.23) < 0.01 ≥30 1.82 (1.15 – 2.88) < 0.01 Ribociclib vs Abemaciclib <25 1.27 (0.81 – 1.99) 0.29 25 – 30 0.87 (0.54 – 1.43) 0.59 ≥30 1.05 (0.63 – 1.75) 0.85
Abstract 539: Cholesterol triggers chromatin stress to drive senescence and inflammation.
Han, Yiqun, Ouyang, Yaobin, Xu, Hangcheng, Chen, Bin, Yin, Ping , Zhou, Qin , Huang, Jinzhou , Luo, Kuntian, Wu, Zheming , Xiao, Huaping, Tu, Xinyi , Jing, Jiajun, Huang, Xiaofeng, Welliver, M.X., Lou, Zhenkun, Mutter, Robert, Ouyang, Yaobin , Zhu, Shouhai , Xu, Hangcheng , Yin, Ping, Huang, Jinzhou, Kloeber, Jake A. , Lou, Zhenkun , Mutter, Robert W.

Mayo Clinic

Cancer Research | April 3, 2026 | Volume: 86 | Issue: 7_Supplement | Pages: 539-539

10.1158/1538-7445.am2026-539 Get It

Abstract Cholesterol has long been viewed as a structural component of cellular membranes, yet its role in DNA damage response remains poorly defined. Here, we show that ionizing radiation (IR) induces broad transcriptional upregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis, transport, and storage pathways, leading to sustained intracellular accumulation of cholesterol. BODIPY-cholesterol imaging, Filipin III staining, and quantitative subcellular fractionation confirmed selective nuclear enrichment of cholesterol following IR, coinciding with extensive chromatin remodeling. Proteomic profiling of cholesterol-interacting proteins revealed a strong enrichment of chromatin-associated factors, suggesting a previously unrecognized lipid-chromatin interface in irradiated cells. Functionally, cholesterol accumulation promoted chromatin compaction and repressive histone modification patterns, impairing DNA damage sensing and checkpoint activation despite increased underlying DNA lesions. These alterations facilitated aberrant mitotic entry, formation of cytoplasmic chromatin fragments (CCFs), and activation of cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling. Cholesterol exposure ultimately diverted damaged cells toward a senescent fate, marked by Lamin B1 loss, p21 induction, and a robust senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) enriched for IL-1 and TNF family cytokines. In vivo, dietary cholesterol exacerbated radiation-induced inflammation and weakened systemic anti-tumor immunity. Transcriptomic analyses of immunotherapy-treated patients revealed that tumors enriched for cholesterol import and senescence signatures were associated with poor response to PD-L1 blockade and worse survival. Together, these findings identify a cholesterol-chromatin-senescence axis that links metabolic remodeling to defective DNA damage signaling and immune suppression after radiation, highlighting cholesterol metabolism as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in cancer therapy. Citation Format: Yiqun Han, Yaobin Ouyang, Shouhai Zhu, Hangcheng Xu, Bin Chen, Ping Yin, Qin Zhou, Jinzhou Huang, Kuntian Luo, Zheming Wu, Huaping Xiao, Xinyi Tu, Jake A. Kloeber, Jiajun Jing, Xiaofeng Huang, Meng Xu Welliver, Zhenkun Lou, Robert Mutter. Cholesterol triggers chromatin stress to drive senescence and inflammation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 539.
CLO26-083: Potential BMI-Dependent MACE Risk in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients Treated With CDK4/6 Inhibitors: A Mayo Clinic Platform Study
Sun, C, Han, Yiqun, Fickel, Abigail, Liu, Li , Lees, Elizabeth , Lees, Elizabeth H.

Mayo Clinic

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network | March 27, 2026 | Volume: 24 | Issue: 3.5 | Pages: No page available

10.6004/jnccn.2025.7465 | PMID 42061454 Get It

Real-world outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor rechallenge in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Maiocco, Giuseppe, Nishimura, Yoshito, Janda, Guneet, Han, Yiqun, Durani, Urshila, Nowakowski, Grzegorz, Paludo, Jonas, Ansell, Stephen, Abeykoon, Jithma, Maiocco, Giuseppe, Nishimura, Yoshito, Janda, Guneet, Han, Yiqun, Durani, Urshila, Nowakowski, Grzegorz, Paludo, Jonas, Ansell, Stephen, Abeykoon, Jithma

Mayo Clinic

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 5395-5395

10.1182/blood-2025-5395 Get It

Abstract Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been established as standard of care for patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), including relapsed or refractory (r/r) disease. However, ICIs discontinued in some patients due to treatment-related toxicities or disease progression may later be re-initiated. The outcomes of this common clinical practice of ICI re-initiation, or ‘rechallenge,‘ have not been evaluated. Here, we present real-world efficacy and safety data of ICI rechallenge in patients with cHL. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with cHL treated with ICIs between 2015 and 2024 at Mayo Clinic sites. Patients were identified via institutional records using diagnostic and treatment codes. Included patients were adults ≥18 years with histologically confirmed diagnosis of cHL receiving ≥1 cycle of ICI therapy. Patients in the rechallenge cohort received a second course of ICI therapy following discontinuation of the initial ICI for any reason. The control cohort included patients with ICI discontinuation without subsequent rechallenge. Primary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS), event-free survival (EFS), and duration of response (DOR), defined respectively as time from first ICI initiation to disease progression, time from first ICI initiation to disease progression, adverse events, treatment change, or death, and time from first recorded response per positron emission tomography–computed tomography until the occurrence of disease progression. Secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), and incidence and severity of irAEs following ICI rechallenge. Survival outcomes were compared using propensity-score-matched (PSM) cohorts with a proportional Cox model. Results: A total of 145 patients were included. Of these, 30 (21%) underwent ICI rechallenge, while 115 (79%) received no subsequent ICI treatments. The median age was 40 years (interquartile range [IQR] 26-66). Most were male (59%), predominantly nodular sclerosis subtype (71%), Ann Arbor stage III-IV disease (65%), and ECOG ≤ 1 (96%). ICIs were utilized for r/r disease in 66%, with median 6 (IQR 4-13) cycles and follow up of 40.8 months (IQR 21.1–78.1). Patients received median 1 prior line of therapy (IQR 0-2.5). During initial ICI treatment, 34/145 patients (23%) experienced irAEs, including 17 patients (57%) in the rechallenge group and 17 (15%) in the non-rechallenge group. Most irAEs were of grade 1–2 severity, though 10 (30%) experienced grades ≥3 irAEs. irAE severity did not differ between groups. Among patients who underwent ICI rechallenge, the majority (53%) discontinued due to irAEs. The decision to pursue ICI rechallenge was driven predominantly by disease progression (63%). Among the 1:1 PSM cohorts using bone marrow transplant status and the International Prognostic Score, PFS did not significantly differ between rechallenged vs. non-rechallenged groups (HR 1.7, 95% CI 0.60–4.5, p=0.32). Similarly, no difference was noted among the groups in EFS and DOR using 1:3 PSM cohorts using the number of ICI cycles (HR 1.6, 95% CI 0.83–3.0, p = 0.16 and HR 1.6, 95% CI 0.37–7.0, p = 0.53, respectively). In the 1:1 matched cohort, ICI rechallenge was not associated with inferior OS compared to those without rechallenge (HR 1.6, 95% CI 0.48–5.4, p=0.43). irAE occurred in 20%, including pneumonitis (n=2), hepatitis (n=1), and pancreatitis (n = 1). Of the patients who had experienced irAEs during their initial ICI course, only two developed recurrent irAEs of the same type upon rechallenge, both at reduced severity. Overall, 80% of rechallenged patients did not experience any irAE with their second ICI course. Conclusions: ICI rechallenge was not associated with inferior PFS, EFS, DOR or OS compared patients without rechallenge. Among patients receiving ICI rechallenge after irAE, recurrence of same irAE was rare. ICI rechallenge may be a feasible and potentially effective strategy in selected patients with cHL.
Restoration of SIRT3 Expression in Aged Mice Alleviates UUO‐Induced Renal Fibrosis by Reducing GSK‐3β Hyperacetylation
Lu, Huan , Guo, Zihao , Li, Xing , Tian, Yiqun, Yin, Yisheng , Qin, Zhenliang, Yun, Kun , Wu, Minglong, Zeng, Xiaoyong , Zeng, Xiaoyong , Wang, Jing , Ren, Xiang , Yun, Kun, Chen, Gang

Mayo Clinic

Advanced Science | July 23, 2025 | Volume: 12 | Issue: 39 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/advs.202417248 | PMID 40698425 Get It

Abstract Aging increases the vulnerability of kidneys to injury and impairs their regenerative capacity. SIRT3 expression declines with aging and is associated with multiple age‐related pathologies. The expression profile and functional role of SIRT3 in renal aging remain unclear. Here, SIRT3 expression in aging kidneys is assessed and analyzed for its promoter methylation patterns using methylation‐specific PCR (MSP). It is found that aging exacerbates UUO‐induced renal fibrosis, associated with downregulated SIRT3 expression. Mechanistically, age‐related SIRT3 downregulation is mediated by hypermethylation of its promoter region. SIRT3 knockout exacerbated renal fibrosis in young mice subjected to UUO, whereas SIRT3 overexpression attenuated fibrosis in aged UUO mice. Integration of RNA‐seq and immunoprecipitation‐mass spectrometry (IP‐MS) analyses revealed that SIRT3 deficiency leads to hyperacetylation of GSK3β at lysine 15 (K15). This K15 hyperacetylation inhibited GSK3β activity, consequently stabilizing its substrate β‐catenin. Furthermore, self‐assembled PEG‐PCL‐PEG micelles are designed and synthesized to encapsulate hydrophobic honokiol (HKL). These micelles significantly enhanced the aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability of free HKL, maintained stable blood concentrations, and ultimately improved its anti‐fibrotic efficacy. These findings propose novel therapeutic strategies for managing renal fibrosis in the aging population and provide a foundation for developing new drugs and combination therapies.
Comparisons of survival outcomes of antibody-drug-conjugates in metastatic breast cancer: A network meta-analysis.
Welliver, M.X., Ruddy, Kathryn J. , Mutter, Robert W. , Han, Yiqun , Yao, Yuan , Wang, Yucai , Nishimura, Yoshito , Lin, Yi

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e15003 Get It

e15003 Background: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have shown substantial promise as therapies for metastatic breast cancer (mBC). However, direct comparisons of different ADC-based regimens are limited. We assessed survival outcomes in mBC patients treated with ADCs. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before October 2024 were searched in Medline, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall surcvival (OS) outcomes were extracted from the most updated publications. Participants were stratified based on molecular subtypes, hormone receptor (HR) status, duration of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) treatment, and sensitivity to endocrine therapy (ET). Bayesian frameworks were deployed, presenting the synthesized outcomes of indirect comparisons using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA), hazard ratio (HR), and 95% credible interval (Crl). This study was prospectively registered on the International Platform of Registered Systemic Reviews and Meta-analysis Protocols (INPLASY) (INPLASY2024110021). Results: A total of 6449 patients from 12 RCTs of ADCs ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), sacituzumab govitecan (SG), trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) were included in the analysis. Compared to chemotherapy, T-DXd significantly improved PFS (HR 0.35, 95% Crl 0.15-0.84) and OS (HR 0.56, 95% Crl 0.32-1.0). SG also significantly extended OS (HR 0.65, 95% Crl 0.43-0.97) but not PFS. In HER2+ mBC, pooled analyses revealed T-DXd was the most effective treatment in terms of PFS, with a SUCRA of 94.2%, followed by T-DM1 (58.9%), and chemotherapy with HER2-directed therapy (34.2%). Synthesized outcomes of OS mirrored the PFS outcomes. In HR+/HER2- mBC (some of which was HER2-low), Dato-DXd (76.1%) showed slightly superior efficacy over SG (67.4%) for PFS, while SG (85.1%) was advantageous over Dato-DXd (49.1%) in terms of OS. Among patients with HR+/HER2+ mBC, T-DXd (80.0%), SG (55.5%), and chemotherapy with HER2-directed therapy (53.1%) were the most effective therapies for prolonging PFS. Regarding OS, SG (70.3%) and T-DM1 (60.3%) were the most effective, with comparable efficacy observed between chemotherapy with HER2-directed therapy (52.1%) and T-DXd (52.0%). In HR-/HER2+ mBC, T-DXd (78.1%), SG (56.1%), and T-DM1 (51.5%) significantly prolonged PFS, while SG (69.4%) had the most substantial benefit for OS, followed by T-DXd (62.8%) and chemotherapy with HER2-directed therapy (57.6%). Dato-DXd showed an advantage over SG in mBC patients received CDK4/6i for > 12 months. Conclusions: This network meta-analysis showed prominent survival benefits with ADC-containing regimens for mBC. Our results provide valuable insights into personalized treatment strategies for mBC patients.
Clinical Differences Among Histological Categories of Sarcoma: Insights from 97,062 Patients
Shah, Ahmed , Mutter, Robert W. , Xu‐Welliver, Meng , Shah, Ahmed , Xu-Welliver, Meng , Han, Yiqun, Yao, Yuan , Shah, Ahmed , Han, Yiqun

Mayo Clinic

Cancers | May 20, 2025 | Volume: 17 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 1706

10.3390/cancers17101706 | PMID 40427203 Get It

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical heterogeneity of sarcomas by examining associations between histological subtypes, metastatic patterns, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes. Methods: We analyzed data from 97,062 adult patients diagnosed with sarcoma between 2000 and 2020, using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Fourteen histological subtypes were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to adjust for baseline differences, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify prognostic variables. Results: The most prevalent subtypes were sarcoma not otherwise specified (31.9%), leiomyosarcoma (17.1%), and liposarcoma (13.9%). Metastatic patterns differed significantly by subtype; liver metastases were most common in sarcomas with small blue round cell (SBRC) features (8.9%) and stromal sarcoma (6.1%), while lung metastases were frequently observed in Ewing sarcoma (10.0%) and rhabdomyosarcoma (9.7%). Median overall survival (mOS) varied widely, ranging from 234 months in chondrosarcoma to 16–20 months in rhabdomyosarcoma and SBRC sarcoma. Overall, patients with primary sarcoma had significantly better survival than those with treatment-related disease (119.0 vs. 45.0 months, p < 0.0001), with this trend consistent across most subtypes. Treatment responses were subtype- and size-dependent. For instance, surgery plus radiotherapy improved outcomes in giant cell sarcoma regardless of tumor size, whereas chemotherapy provided benefit only in tumors larger than 5 cm. Combined surgery and radiotherapy offered additional survival benefit in select subtypes, including chordoma, leiomyosarcoma (>5 cm), and synovial sarcoma (<5 cm). Conclusions: Sarcomas exhibit substantial clinical and prognostic heterogeneity across histological subtypes. These findings underscore the importance of subtype-specific, individualized treatment strategies in optimizing patient outcomes.