These are reviewed studies whose abstracts concern Leiomyosarcoma. Each describes only what that study reported. This is not a claim by OncoForge that any compound helps or harms Leiomyosarcoma. Most are early lab, animal, or small human studies, and findings often conflict.
Human · observationalMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 31
Histopathology · Apr 2026 · molecular DNA methylation and copy-number profiling of a series of uterine tumours
GREB1-rearranged uterine tumourUTROSCT (uterine tumour resembling ovarian sex cord tumour)uterine smooth muscle tumours (leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma)endometrial stromal sarcomaembryonal rhabdomyosarcomaSMARCA4-deficient uterine sarcoma
The authors performed global DNA methylation and copy-number analyses on 10 GREB1-rearranged uterine tumours and 21 classic UTROSCTs (including 7 with ESR1::NCOA2/3 fusions). GREB1-rearranged tumours shared a DNA methylation cluster with UTROSCTs and were distinct from other uterine sarcoma types, but showed greater genomic complexity (more copy-number alterations) and more often lacked overt sex cord morphology.
Reported effects: Number of GREB1-rearranged uterine tumours 10 · Number of classic UTROSCTs 21 · +2 more
Key findings
- GREB1-rearranged uterine tumours show overlap in global methylation profiles with UTROSCT, including ESR1::NCOA2/3 positive cases, forming a DNA methylation cluster separate from several other uterine sarcoma types.
- GREB1-rearranged tumours displayed a greater degree of genomic complexity with more extensive copy number alterations than conventional UTROSCTs, including those with ESR1::NCOA2/3.
- GREB1-rearranged tumours frequently lacked overt sex cord morphology: only 1 GREB1-rearranged tumour displayed a prominent trabecular pattern while the remaining cases had diffuse/solid growth.
- All 7 ESR1::NCOA2/3-positive UTROSCTs demonstrated corded, nested, trabecular and/or tubular/sertoliform patterns.
Limitations: Small case series (31 tumours total) limits generalisability.; Observational molecular profiling without clinical outcome or functional validation data.; Comparisons are limited to the tumour types included; methylation/copy-number differences may not generalise to all uterine tumours..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Sep 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
ReviewMechanismMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical
International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society · Jan 2026
uterine leiomyosarcoma
This is a narrative review of the immune environment of uterine leiomyosarcoma and the potential role of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The authors report variable PD-L1 expression, heterogeneous lymphocytic infiltration, and interactions with tumor-associated macrophages, note modest response rates to checkpoint inhibitors in clinical trials, and discuss that dual PD-1/CTLA-4 blockade and chemotherapy-induced immunogenic cell death may enhance immune activation in select patients. They conclude that combinatorial and personalized strategies, improved immune profiling, and macrophage-targeted approaches merit further study.
Studied with: anti-CTLA-4 + anti-PD-1 dual checkpoint blockade, chemotherapy (to induce immunogenic cell death), targeted immunomodulation, macrophage-targeted therapies.
Key findings
- Uterine leiomyosarcoma has a variable tumor immune microenvironment including variable PD-L1 expression and differential lymphocytic infiltration.
- Interactions with tumor-associated macrophages shape immune responses in leiomyosarcoma.
- Clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors in leiomyosarcoma have produced modest response rates.
- Molecular analyses suggest that specific sub-groups of leiomyosarcoma patients may derive greater benefit from checkpoint inhibition.
- Dual-checkpoint blockade combining anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 has demonstrated enhanced immune activation in select patients.
- Chemotherapy-induced immunogenic cell death has been explored as a complementary approach to immunotherapy.
- Authors recommend innovative combinatorial strategies, improved patient selection, enhanced macrophage-targeted therapies, and optimized immune profiling for future research.
Limitations: Narrative review only—no new primary experimental or patient-level data are presented.; Conclusions are based on heterogeneous published studies and molecular analyses rather than definitive randomized trial evidence.; Abstract reports only 'modest response rates' in trials without quantitative pooled estimates or meta-analysis.; Leiomyosarcoma heterogeneity and rarity limit generalizability of existing trial results (as noted by authors)..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Human · observationalMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 71
Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc · Nov 2025 · Array-based global methylation profiling analysis of tumor samples (71 uterine leiomyosarcoma) compared with several other uterine mesenchymal tumors and soft tissue leiomyosarcoma
uterine leiomyosarcomauterine mesenchymal tumorssoft tissue leiomyosarcoma
Researchers performed array-based global methylation profiling on 71 uterine leiomyosarcoma samples and compared them to other uterine mesenchymal tumors and soft tissue leiomyosarcoma. They found that uLMS have distinct methylation patterns versus other tumor types and that methylation profiling identifies two distinct uLMS subgroups with differing copy number alterations and distinct histologic and clinical behaviors. The authors report this is the first study to describe methylation profiling as a diagnostic tool to differentiate uLMS from its mimics.
Key findings
- uLMS demonstrated distinct methylation patterns differing from all other tumor types.
- Methylation profiling defines 2 distinct subgroups of uLMS with differing copy number alterations.
- The two methylation-defined subgroups exhibit unique histologic and clinical behaviors, supported by differences in methylation pathway analysis.
- This study is the first to report methylation profiling as a useful diagnostic tool in differentiating uLMS from mimics.
Limitations: Observational molecular profiling study without interventional or longitudinal clinical trial data; Sample size limited to 71 uLMS; sizes of comparator tumor groups not reported in abstract; No external validation cohort reported in the abstract; No functional validation experiments described to confirm biological significance of methylation differences; Details on clinical outcome measures, follow-up duration, and statistical metrics are not provided in the abstract.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Sep 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Human · observationalMixed resultsModerate evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 661
Journal of surgical oncology · Nov 2025 · nationwide population-based cohort study (patients diagnosed 1980–2022)
cutaneous leiomyosarcomasubcutaneous leiomyosarcomadermal leiomyosarcomaleiomyosarcomaskin neoplasms
This nationwide Danish cohort study (1980–2022) compared outcomes in 196 patients with subcutaneous and 465 patients with dermal cutaneous leiomyosarcoma (total n=661). At 10 years the local recurrence rates were similar (15% vs 11%, p=0.13), but subcutaneous tumors had a much higher 10-year metastasis risk (25% vs 2.7%, p<0.001) and lower 10-year overall survival (56% vs 64%, p=0.02). The authors conclude that grade 2–3 subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma should be considered high-risk and recommend 5 years of follow-up including clinical exam plus PET/CT or chest CT, while dermal leiomyosarcoma can have clinical follow-up for 4 years.
Reported effects: 10-year local recurrence 15%, p 0.13, n=196 · 10-year risk of metastasis 25%, p <0.001, n=196 · +1 more
Key findings
- Cohort included 196 patients with subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma and 465 with dermal leiomyosarcoma (total n=661).
- The 10-year local recurrence rate was similar: subcutaneous 15% and dermal 11% (p = 0.13).
- The 10-year risk of metastasis was substantially higher for subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma (25%) versus dermal (2.7%), p < 0.001; metastases were primarily observed in grade 2 and 3 tumors.
- Ten-year overall survival was lower for subcutaneous compared with dermal leiomyosarcoma (56% vs. 64%), p = 0.02.
- Authors recommend classifying grade 2–3 subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma as high-risk and performing clinical examinations plus PET/CT or CT thorax for 5 years; dermal leiomyosarcoma follow-up can focus on clinical exams for 4 years given very low metastasis risk.
Limitations: Observational, registry-based cohort (potential for residual confounding and unmeasured variables).; Long study period (1980–2022) during which diagnostic methods, staging, and treatments likely changed, which may affect outcomes.; Abstract does not report details on treatments, adjuvant therapy, or timing of interventions that could influence recurrence, metastasis, or survival.; Potentially incomplete or variable clinical data quality across decades and centers (not detailed in abstract).; Findings are from Denmark and may not generalize to other healthcare settings or populations..
Provides 10-year estimates of local recurrence, metastasis, and overall survival for dermal versus subcutaneous cutaneous leiomyosarcoma and gives follow-up recommendations.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 6
Frontiers in immunology · Aug 2025 · Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of metastatic lesions from a treatment-naïve uterine leiomyosarcoma patient compared to normal uterine myometrium samples (MMM, n=5); integrated analyses including CNV, pseudotime, cell-cell communication, functional enrichment, and mpIF validation; survival correlations with TCGA-SARC cohort.
uterine leiomyosarcoma
The authors performed single-cell RNA sequencing on metastatic lesions from one treatment-naïve uterine leiomyosarcoma patient and compared the data to five normal myometrium samples. They found an immunosuppressed tumor microenvironment characterized by exhausted CD8+ T cells, M2-like tumor-associated macrophages, and immature N2 neutrophils enriched in metastatic foci; these features correlated with poorer prognosis in TCGA-SARC analyses. The study also identified cell-cell communication axes (MIF-(CD74+CD44), CXCL8) and candidate biomarkers (EDARADD, CLDN10, TMIGD2) and dysregulated pathways (TGF-beta, angiogenesis, MIF signaling).
Key findings
- The tumor microenvironment showed prominent immunosuppression with exhausted CD8+ T cells, with initial markers (CCR7, MAL) diminishing over time and exhaustion markers (LAG3, HAVCR2, TIGIT) enriched.
- M2-polarized macrophages were mainly composed of M2-like TAMs with tumor-promoting characteristics (CD163, FTH1, FTL, TIMP1) and there was a polarization trajectory from M1 to M2.
- Immature, tumor-promoting N2 neutrophils (CD15+EDARADD+) were enriched in metastatic foci and associated with poor prognosis.
- Cell-cell communication analyses highlighted MIF-(CD74+CD44) interactions between T/B cells and a role for the CXCL8 signaling axis in promoting angiogenesis, TAM polarization, and immunosuppression.
- Constructed a comprehensive single-cell map of ULSA, defined a metastasis-susceptible cell subset (U11-EDARADD), and nominated biomarkers (EDARADD, CLDN10, TMIGD2) and dysregulated pathways (TGF-β, angiogenesis, MIF signaling) as possible targets for future combined-immunotherapy development.
Limitations: Tumor single-cell data derive from a single ULSA patient (metastatic lesions from one individual), limiting generalizability.; Normal comparator samples are limited (MMM, n=5) and cohort sizes are small.; Observational single-cell profiling cannot establish causal relationships between identified cell states/pathways and clinical outcomes or therapy resistance.; Survival associations were assessed using TCGA-SARC correlations (indirect validation) rather than validation in an independent ULSA cohort.; No interventional or functional experiments reported to validate that identified biomarkers/pathways drive immunosuppression or therapy resistance..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Sep 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
ReviewMechanismInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical
American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting · Jun 2025
uterine neoplasmsleiomyosarcomauterine stromal tumorsmesonephric-like carcinomaserous carcinoma
This is a review of rare uterine malignancies (including leiomyosarcomas, uterine stromal tumors, mesonephric-like and serous carcinomas). The authors summarize recent advances in diagnostic precision, risk stratification, and identification of biomarker-guided therapeutic options, and note that improved molecular understanding has led to development of targeted approaches. They conclude that further progress requires coordinated global efforts and enrollment of patients on biomarker-driven clinical trials.
Key findings
- Rare uterine malignancies are clinically and biologically heterogeneous, creating treatment challenges.
- The rarest uterine cancers discussed include leiomyosarcomas, uterine stromal tumors, and mesonephric-like and serous carcinomas.
- Recent advancements have improved diagnostic precision and risk stratification for these rare subtypes.
- Identification of biomarker-guided therapeutic options and improved molecular profiling have led to development of targeted treatment approaches.
- Further progress depends on coordinated, global characterization efforts and enrollment of patients on biomarker-driven clinical trials.
Limitations: Review article — does not present new primary experimental or clinical trial data.; Focuses on rare, heterogeneous tumor subtypes for which evidence is often limited.; Conclusions are broad and dependent on availability of biomarker-driven trials rather than on definitive trial results..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Aug 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Human · observationalMechanismMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 39
International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society · Apr 2025 · retrospective multicenter study using the national NetSarc database
primary ovarian leiomyosarcomaovarian neoplasmsleiomyosarcoma
This retrospective multicenter study analyzed 39 patients with primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma from the French Sarcoma Group database to describe clinical, surgical, pathological features and outcomes. Median tumor size was large (134 mm); 15 patients (44%) died of disease. Certain pathologic features (high mitotic counts, progesterone receptor negativity) were associated with worse survival. The authors conclude surgery is the mainstay for early-stage disease and the role of adjuvant therapy remains unclear.
Reported effects: total patients included 39 · localized disease - n 35 · +14 more
Key findings
- 39 patients were included (35 localized, 4 metastatic).
- Median tumor size was 134 mm.
- Radical surgery was performed in 21 patients (62%) and wide surgery in 13 patients (38%).
- Tumor grade 3 reported in 17 of 34 patients (50%); necrosis in 29 of 34 (85%); mitoses ≥20/HPF in 17 of 34 (50%); Ki-67 >30% in 17 of 27 patients (63%).
- Estrogen receptor positive in 14 of 27 patients (52%); progesterone receptor positive in 10 of 27 patients (37%).
- Adjuvant chemotherapy given in 12 of 34 patients (35%); pelvic adjuvant radiotherapy in 8 of 34 (23%).
- Among early-stage cases, 9 had isolated pelvic recurrence and 18 had parenchymal distant metastases.
- Fifteen patients (44%) died of disease.
- High mitotic counts and progesterone receptor negativity were associated with worse survival in early-stage disease.
Limitations: Retrospective study design.; Small sample size (n=39) for subgroup and prognostic analyses.; Heterogeneous and incompletely reported treatment approaches (adjuvant therapies given in subsets).; Some pathological and biomarker data were available only in subsets (denominators vary: data reported for 34 or 27 patients), indicating missing data.; No control group or prospective follow-up protocol reported..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Human · observationalReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 10
BMC cancer · Dec 2024 · retrospective cohort
Trastuzumab-deruxtecan-t-dxdTrastuzumab-deruxtecanendometrial neoplasmsovarian neoplasmscervical neoplasmsuterine carcinosarcomauterine leiomyosarcomauterine serous carcinomaovarian carcinosarcomahigh-grade serous ovarian carcinomamucinous ovarian carcinomasquamous cervical carcinoma This retrospective single-center study identified 10 patients with HER2-expressing (IHC 2+/3+) recurrent or metastatic gynecological cancers who received trastuzumab deruxtecan (5.4 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks). The cohort had a median progression-free survival of 5.4 months (95% CI 0.8-9.8). Five patients had a partial response, one had stable disease at 12 weeks, and four had disease progression at initial assessment. Clinical benefit was observed mainly in tumors with HER2 IHC 3+.
Reported effects: median PFS 5.4 mo [0.8–9.8], n=10 · partial responses 5, n=10 · +2 more
Key findings
- 10 patients with recurrent/metastatic HER2-expressing gynecological malignancies were treated with T-DXd.
- Histologies included uterine neoplasms (n=5), cervical squamous carcinoma (n=1) and ovarian cancers (n=4).
- Median age was 65.4 years (25th-75th percentile, 58.1-75.2 years).
- HER2 by IHC: 5 patients were 3+ and 5 patients were 2+.
- Median number of prior therapy lines was 4 (range 2-6); 2 uterine serous carcinoma patients were pretreated with trastuzumab and 4 patients had prior immunotherapy.
- Dose: T-DXd 5.4 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks until progression/toxicity.
- Median progression-free survival (PFS) in the cohort was 5.4 months (95% CI 0.8-9.8 months).
- Responses: 5 patients had partial response (including 2 previously treated with trastuzumab), 1 patient had stable disease at 12 weeks, 4 patients had disease progression at initial assessment.
- Most patients who derived clinical benefit had HER2 IHC 3+ expression.
Limitations: Retrospective, single-center design; Very small sample size (n=10); No control or comparator arm; Heterogeneous mix of gynecologic histologies; Heavily pre-treated population limits generalizability; Limited/absent reporting of safety or adverse event data in the abstract; Potential selection and reporting bias inherent to retrospective series.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalSupportive careInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 9
Injury · Nov 2024 · retrospective cohort study
Supportive careuterine leiomyosarcomabone metastasis (appendicular)
This is a retrospective review of nine patients with appendicular bone metastases from uterine leiomyosarcoma treated at a single center between 2004 and 2021. The study compared palliative surgical management versus conservative treatment and found no difference in survival between the groups. Bone metastases occurred a mean of 33.3 months after diagnosis, and six of nine patients died after bone metastasis. The authors recommend individualized assessment before palliative surgery.
Reported effects: cohort_patients_meeting_initial_inclusion 114, n=114 · patients_with_appendicular_metastases 9, n=9 · +11 more
Key findings
- One hundred fourteen patients diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma and treated at the Department of Oncologic Orthopedics at XXX hospital from 2004 to 2021 met the criteria for inclusion in this retrospective cohort study.
- Notably, the study included nine follow-up patients with at least 2 years of follow-up who developed appendicular skeletal metastases during the follow-up period.
- Of the 9 patients, 3 had humeral metastases, 2 had femoral metastases, 1 had femoral and diffuse pelvic metastases, and the other 3 had pelvic metastases.
- Bone metastases occurred at a mean of 33.3 ± 32.4 months (range 3 - 108) after the diagnosis.
- After bone metastasis, 6 patients died after an average of 40.3 ± 26.7 months (range 12-84 months).
- Surgical interventions included: 1 patient with a pathologic fracture in the proximal humerus underwent resection arthroplasty, 1 patient with metastases in the proximal femur underwent resection arthroplasty, 2 patients with metastases to the femoral shaft underwent curettage-cementation (C&C) and intramedullary nailing, and 1 patient with persistent pelvic pain underwent C&C. No surgery was performed in the other patients.
- Conclusion reported: survival did not differ between palliative surgery and conservative treatment after appendicular bone metastases.
Limitations: Retrospective, single-center design; Very small analytic sample (n=9) of patients with appendicular metastases; Potential selection bias (excluded patients with only vertebral metastases); No randomized allocation to surgical versus conservative management; Abstract provides no statistical test results or p-values to support the stated comparison; Level IV evidence.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Sep 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Case reportReported negativeLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
The Journal of international medical research · Sep 2024 · case report
This is a case report of a woman in her late 50s diagnosed with primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma who underwent surgery. One month after surgery she received gemcitabine plus docetaxel chemotherapy for six months. Recurrence in the pelvic cavity was detected eight months after surgery. The report aims to raise awareness of this rare disease.
Reported effects: chemotherapy_duration 6 mo, n=1 · time_to_recurrence 8 mo, n=1
Studied with: gemcitabine + docetaxel.
Key findings
- A woman in her late 50s presented with a 6-month history of abdominal pain and imaging revealed a pelvic mass.
- She underwent surgery and was diagnosed with primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma.
- One month postoperatively she began gemcitabine and docetaxel chemotherapy and continued this treatment for 6 months.
- Eight months postoperatively recurrence was detected in the pelvic cavity.
Limitations: Single-patient case report (n=1), limiting generalizability; No chemotherapy doses or detailed regimen parameters provided; Short follow-up reported (recurrence at 8 months) with no long-term outcome data; No control or comparator group.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 32
Anticancer research · Aug 2024
uterine leiomyosarcoma
The authors analyzed Hippo pathway components (YAP1 and TAZ by immunohistochemistry and YAP1 by FISH) in tumor samples from 32 patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma. They found Hippo signaling dysregulation in 20/32 patients (62.5%), nuclear YAP1 expression in 17/32 (53.1%), and YAP1 amplification in 8/32 (25%). The study reports a trend suggesting Hippo pathway deregulation is a positive prognostic factor for overall survival.
Reported effects: Hippo signaling dysregulation 62.5%, n=32 · Nuclear YAP1 expression (IHC) 53.1%, n=32 · +1 more
Key findings
- Hippo signaling was found to be dysregulated in 20 (62.5%) patients with uLMS.
- Nuclear expression of YAP1 was detected in 17 (53.1%) of the 32 patients with immunohistochemistry.
- YAP1 amplification was found in 8 (25%) patients.
- Regarding OS the authors detected a trend of Hippo deregulation, designating it as a positive prognostic factor.
Limitations: Small sample size (n=32).; Observational, tissue-based study without reported statistical measures (no p-values, HRs, CIs provided in abstract).; Abstract does not report results for TAZ despite stating it was analyzed.; No details on multivariate analysis or adjustment for confounders are provided in the abstract.; Prognostic finding described as a 'trend' with no quantitative survival data in the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Sep 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
ReviewMechanismInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical
Yi chuan = Hereditas · Aug 2024 · review
uterine leiomyosarcoma
This article is a review of the molecular pathology of uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS). The authors summarize molecular genetic features, epigenetic variants, experimental models, and clinical research progress, and note that understanding of uLMS pathogenesis is inadequate and disease models are limited, which hinders development of effective therapies.
Key findings
- uLMS is an aggressive malignant soft-tissue tumor arising from the myometrium that is difficult to distinguish from benign leiomyoma in early stages and has a poor prognosis.
- Current studies of uLMS pathogenesis and disease biology are inadequate.
- uLMS disease models are very limited, which hinders development of effective therapeutics.
- The review systematically summarizes molecular genetic features, epigenetic alterations, experimental models, and clinical research progress, and discusses directions including tumor evolution, the tumor microenvironment, and therapy development.
Limitations: This publication is a review and does not present new primary experimental or clinical data.; Abstract does not describe review methods in detail (e.g., search strategy, inclusion criteria).; Field-level limitations noted by the authors include inadequate pathogenesis studies and limited disease models, which constrain conclusions about therapeutic development..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed