The CXCR4-SDF1alpha axis is a critical mediator of rhabdomyosarcoma metastatic signaling induced by bone marrow stroma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common malignant soft-tissue tumor of childhood. Nearly 15% of children present with metastatic disease, frequently involving the lungs and bone marrow. The prognosis for patients with metastatic RMS is dismal, with an estimated 3-year overall survival of 30%.

Differentiation of rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines using retinoic acid.

Background: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most frequent sporadic soft tissue sarcoma of childhood and adolescence. The overall 5-year survival rate for patients with RMS is 70% with the use of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Novel therapeutic approaches are necessary to improve on these outcomes particularly among the more aggressive alveolar RMS (ARMS) and late stages of disease, where 5-year survival is less than 20%.

Significance of p53 expression in immature teratomas.

Twenty-nine pediatric immature teratomas were reviewed to determine the frequency and clinical significance of p53 expression. Tumors were stained for p53 expression by immunohistochemistry and results were correlated with the presence of other germ cell tumor elements and with outcome. Sequencing of p53 for mutations was performed on positive cases.