Soft tissue sarcomas are a diverse family of tumors arising in fat, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, and fibrous tissue throughout the body. They account for about 1% of adult cancers but disproportionately affect children and young adults, and many subtypes have no approved targeted therapies.
What's actually going on in research
The field is moving from histology-based to molecular-subtype-based treatment. NTRK inhibitors produce dramatic responses in sarcomas with NTRK gene fusions. Leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, and synovial sarcoma each have subtype-specific trials testing targeted agents. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has shown activity mainly in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma and some other subtypes, and combination approaches are being explored broadly.
NTRK inhibitors
Drugs targeting NTRK gene fusions — like larotrectinib and entrectinib — produce rapid, durable responses in fusion-positive soft tissue sarcomas regardless of where in the body the tumor arose.
Subtype-specific trials
Liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma each have dedicated trials testing agents matched to their unique biology — including MDM2 inhibitors and EZH2 inhibitors.
Immunotherapy combinations
Checkpoint inhibitor combinations are being tested in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, which appears more immune-responsive, and paired with anti-angiogenic drugs in broader sarcoma populations.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically requires confirmed soft tissue sarcoma histology, may require specific molecular features (NTRK fusion, CDK4 amplification), and specifies prior treatment lines.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new drugs in specific soft tissue sarcoma subtypes based on histology and molecular features.
- Targeted therapy trials — Evaluating kinase inhibitors matched to specific gene fusions or mutations in sarcoma subtypes.
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination for immune-responsive sarcoma subtypes.
- Surgical trials — Comparing limb-sparing surgical approaches and assessing functional outcomes after resection.
- Supportive care trials — Managing treatment-related fatigue, pain, and limb function after surgery or radiation.
Recently added Soft Tissue 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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