The pathologic response of resected synovial sarcomas to hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with melphalan and TNF-α: a comparison with the whole group of resected soft tissue sarcomas.
BACKGROUND
Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with tumor necrosis factor-α and melphalan (TM-HILP) has been successfully used to treat limb soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) with high response rates. The data on the effectiveness of HILP-TM for the treatment of STSs are mainly based on various STS types. The aim of this study was to investigate the responses of synovial sarcomas (SS) to TM-HILP.


METHODS
A total of 125 TM-HILP-treated tumors (STS all), including 14 SSs, were included in the study. The tumors were subdivided into proximal and distal limb localizations. Tumor typing (using the WHO classification), resection status (using the UICC classification), and response to therapy were assessed using light microscopy. The SSs were tested for the SYT-SSX translocation using RT-PCR. The following tests were applied: a chi-squared test, a t test, and the Mann-Whitney U test.


RESULTS
The SSs were localized distally more often than were the STS cohort (STS(-SS)) (85.7% vs. 32.4%) and were smaller (5.8 cm vs. 10.7 cm). There were no differences in the responder/nonresponder ratios or the mean percentages of pathological regression between the SS and STS(-SS) cohorts (74.0% vs. 76.0%). A general localization-dependent difference in the tumor responses to TM-HILP could not be detected in the STS all cohort (distal, 72.0% vs. proximal, 78.0%); however, a UICC R0 status was more often observed in proximal tumors (distal, 50.0% vs. proximal, 71.4%). There was no association between the SYT-SSX type and SS responses to TM-HILP.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the high response rates, TM-HILP is recommended for the treatment of SSs. The distal limb localization of TM-HILP-treated STSs was generally (STS all cohort) associated with fewer R0 resections.
Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Essen and Sarcoma Center at West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany.
Benjamin
B
Schwindenhammer
Lars Erik
LE
Podleska
Andrea
A
Kutritz
Sebastian
S
Bauer
Sien-Yi
SY
Sheu
Georg
G
Taeger
Kurt Werner
KW
Schmid
Florian
F
Grabellus
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010477:Perfusion; D011379:Prognosis; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D008558:Melphalan