Non-invasive monitoring of neoadjuvant radiation therapy response in soft tissue sarcomas by multiparametric MRI and quantification of circulating tumor DNA-A study protocol.

Background: Wide resection remains the cornerstone of localized soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) treatment. Neoadjuvant radiation therapy (NRT) may decrease the risk of local recurrences; however, its effectiveness for different histological STS subtypes has not been systematically investigated. The proposed prospective study evaluates the NRT response in STS using liquid biopsies and the correlation of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) with histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

Individualized Mini-Panel Sequencing of ctDNA Allows Tumor Monitoring in Complex Karyotype Sarcomas.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare tumors of mesenchymal origin with high mortality. After curative resection, about one third of patients suffer from distant metastases. Tumor follow-up only covers a portion of recurrences and is associated with high cost and radiation burden.

Genotyping of Circulating Free DNA Enables Monitoring of Tumor Dynamics in Synovial Sarcomas.

Background: Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a malignant soft tissue tumor of mesenchymal origin that frequently occurs in young adults. Translocation of the SYT gene on chromosome 18 to the SSX genes on chromosome X leads to the formation of oncogenic fusion genes, which lead to initiation and proliferation of tumor cells. The detection and quantification of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can serve as a non-invasive method for diagnostics of local or distant tumor recurrence, which could improve survival rates due to early detection.

[Are there benefits for catheter valves for catheter-associated quality of life? : Results of an investigation in 427 catheter wearers with life-long indication].

Background: In urology, a subset of patients with lifelong urine drainage are fitted with a catheter valve. Data on catheter-related quality of life (crqol) in this subset of patients are missing.

Aim: Clarification of the whether there are advantages for valve-aided catheters in comparison with continuous urine drainage in catheter wearers with a lifelong indication.