Expression Patterns of microRNAs and Associated Target Genes in Ulcerated Primary Cutaneous Melanoma.

Ulcerated cutaneous melanoma carries a poor prognosis, and the underlying biology driving its aggressive behavior is largely unexplored. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small, noncoding RNAs that inhibit the expression of specific genes and exhibit dysregulated expression patterns in cancer. We hypothesized that a unique miR profile exists in ulcerated relative to nonulcerated melanoma and that miR expression inversely correlates with target genes of biologic importance.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma: Clinicopathological features and outcomes from the United States sarcoma collaborative database.

Backgrounds And Objectives: This investigation described clinicopathological features and outcomes of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) patients.

Methods: EMC patients were identified from the United States Sarcoma Collaborative database between 2000 and 2016. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated, and prognostic factors were analyzed.

Oncologic Outcomes of Multi-Institutional Minimally Invasive Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection for Melanoma Compared with Open Inguinal Dissection in the Second Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial (MSLT-II).

Background: Minimally invasive inguinal lymphadenectomy (MILND) is safe and feasible, but limited data exist regarding oncologic outcomes.

Methods: This study performed a multi-institutional retrospective cohort analysis of consecutive MILND performed for melanoma between January 2009 and June 2016. The open ILND (OILND) comparative cohort comprised patients enrolled in the second Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial (MSLT-II) between December 2004 and March 2014.

Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Multi-Institutional Validation of Prognostic Nomograms.

Background: Prognostic nomograms for patients with resected extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) include the Sarculator and Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSKCC) nomograms. We sought to validate these two nomograms within a large, modern, multi-institutional cohort of resected primary extremity STS patients.

Methods: Resected primary extremity STS patients from 2000 to 2017 were identified across nine high-volume U.

Resection Status Does Not Impact Recurrence in Well-Differentiated Liposarcoma of the Extremity.

Background: Well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS) is a low-grade soft tissue sarcoma with a propensity for local recurrence. The necessity of obtaining microscopically free surgical margins (R0) to minimize local recurrence is not clear. This study evaluates recurrence-free survival (RFS) of extremity WDLPS in relation to resection margin status.

Effect of Immune Checkpoint Blockade on Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Populations in Patients With Melanoma.

Introduction: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a subset of immature myeloid cells that inhibit anti-tumor immunity and contribute to immune therapy resistance. MDSC populations were measured in melanoma patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

Methods: Patients with melanoma (n=128) provided blood samples at baseline (BL), and before cycles 2 and 3 (BC2, BC3).

Loss of miR-1469 expression mediates melanoma cell migration and invasion.

Tumor ulceration is considered one of the most prognostically significant findings in primary cutaneous melanoma, associated with decreased disease-free and overall survival. However, the unique features associated with ulcerated melanoma that contribute to a poor prognosis in affected patients remain poorly defined. microRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that function to inhibit expression of specific gene targets, therefore altering the functions of cells in which they are expressed.

A multi-institutional validation study of prognostic nomograms for retroperitoneal sarcoma.

Background And Objectives: Prognostic nomograms for patients undergoing resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) include the Sarculator and Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) sarcoma nomograms. We sought to validate the Sarculator and MSK nomograms within a large, modern multi-institutional cohort of patients with primary RPS undergoing resection.

Methods: Patients who underwent resection of primary RPS between 2000 and 2017 across nine high-volume US institutions were identified.

Tissue microRNA expression profiling in hepatic and pulmonary metastatic melanoma.

Malignant melanoma has a propensity for the development of hepatic and pulmonary metastases. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules containing about 22 nucleotides that mediate protein expression and can contribute to cancer progression. We aim to identify clinically useful differences in miR expression in metastatic melanoma tissue.

High neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is not independently associated with worse survival or recurrence in patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma.

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas are a heterogenous group of neoplasms without well-validated biomarkers. Cancer-related inflammation is a known driver of tumor growth and progression. Recent studies have implicated a high circulating neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a surrogate marker for the inflammatory tumor microenvironment and a poor prognosticator in multiple solid tumors, including colorectal and pancreatic cancers.

Neoadjuvant radiation improves margin-negative resection rates in extremity sarcoma but not survival.

Background And Objectives: Radiation improves limb salvage in extremity sarcomas. Timing of radiation therapy remains under investigation. We sought to evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant radiation (NAR) on surgery and survival of patients with extremity sarcomas.

Is a Nomogram Able to Predict Postoperative Wound Complications in Localized Soft-tissue Sarcomas of the Extremity?

Background: Postoperative wound complications are challenging in patients with localized extremity soft-tissue sarcomas. Various factors have been associated with wound complications, but there is no individualized predictive model to allow providers to counsel their patients and thus offer methods to mitigate the risk of complications and implement appropriate measures.

Questions/purposes: We used data from multiple centers to ask: (1) What risk factors are associated with postoperative wound complications in patients with localized soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremity? (2) Can we create a predictive nomogram that will assess the risk of wound complications in individual patients after resection for soft-tissue sarcoma?

Methods: From 2000 to 2016, 1669 patients undergoing limb-salvage resection for a localized primary or recurrent extremity soft-tissue sarcoma with at least 120 days of follow-up at eight participating United States Sarcoma Collaborative institutions were identified.

Lung Surveillance Strategy for High-Grade Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Chest X-Ray or CT Scan?

Background: Given the propensity for lung metastases, National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend lung surveillance with either chest x-ray (CXR) or CT in high-grade soft tissue sarcoma. Considering survival, diagnostic sensitivity, and cost, the optimal modality is unknown.

Methods: The US Sarcoma Collaborative database (2000 to 2016) was reviewed for patients who underwent resection of a primary high-grade soft tissue sarcoma.

Assessing the Role of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Primary High-Risk Truncal/Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas: An Analysis of the Multi-institutional U.S. Sarcoma Collaborative.

Background: The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) for high-risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is questioned. This study aimed to define which patients may experience a survival advantage with NCT.

Methods: All the patients from the U.

The impact of unplanned excisions of truncal/extremity soft tissue sarcomas: A multi-institutional propensity score analysis from the US Sarcoma Collaborative.

Objective: Our aim was to compare outcomes in patients who underwent unplanned excisions (UE) of soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) against patients with planned excisions (PE).

Methods: The retrospective 7-institution US Sarcoma Collaborative database was used. Patients with curative-intent resection of truncal/extremity STS between 2000 and 2016 were included.

The role of radiation therapy and margin width in localized soft-tissue sarcoma: Analysis from the US Sarcoma Collaborative.

Background And Objectives: Soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) are often treated with resection and radiation (RT)±chemotherapy. The role of RT in decreasing resection width to achieve local control is unclear. We evaluated RT on margin width to achieve local control and local recurrence (LR).

Perioperative chemotherapy is not associated with improved survival in high-grade truncal sarcoma.

Background: The treatment benefit of perioperative chemotherapy (CTX) for truncal soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is not well established. This study evaluates the association of CTX with survival for patients with resected primary high-grade truncal STS.

Materials And Methods: Adult patients with high-grade truncal STS who had curative-intent resection from 2000 to 2016 at seven U.

Alterations in patient plasma microRNA expression profiles following resection of metastatic melanoma.

Background And Objectives: MicroRNAs (miRs) are noncoding RNAs that regulate protein translation and melanoma progression. Changes in plasma miR expression following surgical resection of metastatic melanoma are under-investigated. We hypothesize differences in miR expression exist following complete surgical resection of metastatic melanoma.