Sarcomas are rare cancers that arise in connective tissues — muscles, bones, fat, nerves, and blood vessels — and they encompass more than 70 distinct subtypes, each with different biology and treatment needs. Because of their rarity, sarcoma research depends on international collaboration and basket trials that group patients by molecular features rather than tumor location.
What's actually going on in research
Trabectedin, pazopanib, and other targeted drugs have improved options for advanced soft tissue sarcoma, and immunotherapy is being tested across subtypes to find which respond. Antibody-drug conjugates targeting proteins like TRP-1 and B7-H3 expressed on specific sarcomas are in early trials. Molecular profiling is increasingly guiding treatment, identifying actionable mutations like CDK4/MDM2 amplification in liposarcoma and NTRK fusions in specific pediatric sarcomas.
Immunotherapy combinations
PD-1 inhibitors alone have limited activity in most sarcomas, but combinations with anti-CTLA-4 drugs or other agents are being tested to find which histologic subtypes respond.
Antibody-drug conjugates
Targeted chemotherapy delivery via antibodies against sarcoma-specific surface proteins — like olaratumab and newer agents — is in active development for multiple sarcoma subtypes.
Molecular subtype targeting
Kinase inhibitors against NTRK, ALK, RET, and CDK4 fusions are showing dramatic responses in molecularly defined sarcoma subgroups, and basket trials are expanding access to matched therapy.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on sarcoma histologic subtype, molecular profile (fusions, amplifications), disease stage, and prior treatment history.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new systemic drugs or combinations in specific sarcoma histologic subtypes.
- Molecular basket trials — Enrolling patients based on tumor genetics rather than location, testing matched targeted drugs.
- Surgical trials — Comparing limb-sparing surgery techniques and margins to optimize local control.
- Radiation trials — Evaluating new radiation delivery methods like proton therapy and intraoperative radiation.
- Pediatric sarcoma trials — Testing treatments specifically designed for bone and soft tissue sarcomas in children and young adults.
Recently added Sarcoma trials
Sub-topic Four: Clinical Translation of Original Radioactive Drugs for Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors -Clinical Application Value of PET Imaging Targeting LRRC15 in Malignant Tumors
This project utilizes LRRC15-specific targeted PET radiotracers to perform PET/MR or PET/CT imaging on healthy volunteers and patients with clinically suspected or confirmed malignancies characterized by high LRRC15 expression-including pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, sarcoma, head and neck tumors, glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, and melanoma. The study aims to achieve the following objectives: For patients with malignant tumors: To diagnose and stage the disease. By comparing the imaging results against the gold standard of histopathological diagnosis, the study aims to evaluate diagnostic efficacy, ascertain the presence or absence of lesions, and characterize their anatomical location and nature. Furthermore, through comparison with \[¹⁸F\]FDG PET or \[⁶⁸Ga\]Ga-FAPI PET, the study seeks to achieve accurate disease staging, assess tumor burden, and facilitate therapeutic decision-making. For healthy volunteers: To conduct pharmacokinetic analyses to determine the in vivo biodistribution and metabolic patterns of the radiotracer, as well as to evaluate its safety profile.
Clinical Trials of Benmelstobart Injection Combined With Anlotinib Hydrochloride Capsules in the Treatment of Advanced or Unresectable Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma
This is a Phase II, single-arm, multicenter clinical study aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness of benmelstobart injection combined with anlotinib hydrochloride capsules in patients aged 14 years or older with advanced or unresectable alveolar soft part sarcoma by evaluating the objective response rate (IRC).
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