These are reviewed studies whose abstracts concern Rhabdomyosarcoma. Each describes only what that study reported. This is not a claim by OncoForge that any compound helps or harms Rhabdomyosarcoma. Most are early lab, animal, or small human studies, and findings often conflict.
Case reportInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1
Journal of cancer research and therapeutics · Oct 2025 · case report
This case report describes a 17-year-old girl with a very rare ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma. The tumor was diagnosed by imaging, pathology, and immunohistochemistry, and it came back within 3 months after surgery. The authors report that she then received VAC chemotherapy (vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide), and they emphasize the need for earlier diagnosis and more standardized treatment approaches.
Studied with: vincristine, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide.
Key findings
- Imaging showed a large solid-cystic pelvic mass.
- Histopathology and immunohistochemical markers (desmin, myogenin, WT1) confirmed ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma.
- Recurrence occurred within 3 months after surgical resection.
- VAC chemotherapy was given after early relapse.
Limitations: Single-patient case report.; No control group.; No quantitative treatment outcome data reported.; Cannot determine effectiveness of VAC from this report alone.; Focus is diagnostic and descriptive rather than evaluative..
Describes a rare ovarian cancer case and subsequent chemotherapy, but does not evaluate a compound's anticancer effect in a comparative way.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Animal studyReported positivePreclinical onlyTier 2 · animal
Nature communications · Aug 2025 · xenograft antitumor assays
neuroblastomarhabdomyosarcomacolorectal carcinomamelanomaovarian carcinomabreast carcinoma
This study tested a humanized antibody-drug conjugate called CDX0239-PBD in ALK-expressing cancer models. In cell lines, it was taken up by ALK-positive neuroblastoma cells and killed them in a way that depended on surface ALK expression. In mouse xenograft models, it produced strong antitumor activity and complete responses were maintained in several ALK-expressing cancers.
Key findings
- ALK RNA, protein, and tumor cell surface expression was elevated in multiple pediatric and adult malignancies with minimal expression in childhood normal tissues.
- CDX0239-PBD was internalized in ALK-expressing neuroblastoma cell lines with cell surface expression-dependent cytotoxicity.
- CDX0239-PBD exhibited potent antitumor efficacy including maintained complete responses in ALK-expressing patient and cell line-derived neuroblastoma, fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma, and colorectal carcinoma xenograft models.
Limitations: Preclinical study only; no human treatment data are reported in the abstract.; Efficacy was shown in cell lines and xenograft mouse models, which may not predict clinical benefit.; No quantitative effect sizes, dosing details, or toxicity results are provided in the abstract..
The abstract describes a preclinical anticancer antibody-drug conjugate targeting ALK-expressing tumors.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
Human · observationalMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 6
Cureus · Jun 2025 · retrospective analysis
ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma
This retrospective case series reviewed six pediatric patients with ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma treated over a 25-year period at a national cancer center in Peru. Most tumors had embryonal histology, four patients presented with distant metastases (stage/group IV), none tested positive for fusion genes, and all received chemotherapy plus surgery with efforts to preserve fertility when appropriate. Three patients received abdominopelvic radiotherapy (2,400 cGy in 16 sessions); one low-risk patient survived up to 94 months and the authors report multimodal treatment produced survival exceeding 87 months in some cases.
Reported effects: number of patients 6, n=6 · abdominopelvic radiotherapy total dose 2400, n=3 · +3 more
Key findings
- Six female patients aged between five months and 13 years were included.
- Four patients were classified as clinical stage/group IV due to distant metastases; two were low-risk.
- The majority had embryonal histology and none tested positive for fusion genes.
- All patients underwent chemotherapy and surgery; surgical approaches emphasized fertility preservation and varied by disease extent.
- Three patients received intensity-modulated abdominopelvic radiotherapy at a total dose of 2,400 cGy delivered in 16 sessions for peritoneal sarcomatosis (two for persistent disease after chemotherapy and surgery, one for high-risk histology).
- One low-risk patient achieved a survival of up to 94 months.
- Authors conclude ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma is rare, presents with nonspecific clinical/radiologic features, immunohistochemistry is essential for diagnosis, and multimodal treatment can achieve long-term survival, including in metastatic cases.
Limitations: Very small sample size (n=6).; Retrospective, single-center design increases risk of selection and reporting bias.; Heterogeneous disease stages and treatments among patients limit generalizability.; Limited outcome detail reported for individual patients (only one specific long-term survival reported).; No control or comparison group and no standardized prospective follow-up reported.; Molecular/genetic testing beyond fusion-gene negativity is not described in the cohort..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
ReviewInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early human
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · May 2018
pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB)ovarian sex cord-stromal tumorsSertoli-Leydig cell tumorlung cystscystic nephromarenal sarcomaWilms tumornodular hyperplasia of the thyroidnasal chondromesenchymal hamartomaciliary body medulloepitheliomagenitourinary embryonal rhabdomyosarcomapineoblastomapituitary blastomagastrointestinal polyps
This paper reports an expert consensus from the inaugural International DICER1 Symposium summarizing genetic testing and surveillance recommendations for people with pathogenic germline DICER1 variants. It lists the spectrum of associated tumors and lesions, recommends education and imaging-based surveillance (with emphasis that risks are highest in early childhood and decline in adulthood), and states that guidelines will be updated as research expands.
Key findings
- Pathogenic germline DICER1 variants cause a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome with a variety of manifestations.
- Associated neoplasms and lesions include pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB), ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors (particularly Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor), lung cysts, cystic nephroma, renal sarcoma and Wilms tumor, nodular hyperplasia of the thyroid, nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma, ciliary body medulloepithelioma, genitourinary embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and brain tumors including pineoblastoma and pituitary blastoma.
- The International PPB Registry convened a multidisciplinary international symposium to develop consensus testing, surveillance, and treatment recommendations.
- Recommendations are provided for genetic testing, prenatal management, and surveillance for DICER1-associated pulmonary, renal, gynecologic, thyroid, ophthalmologic, otolaryngologic, and central nervous system tumors and gastrointestinal polyps.
- Risk for most DICER1-associated neoplasms is highest in early childhood and decreases in adulthood.
- Individual and caregiver education and judicious imaging-based surveillance are the primary recommended approaches.
- These recommendations reflect a consensus of expert opinion and current literature and will be updated as DICER1 research expands.
Limitations: Recommendations are based on expert consensus and existing literature rather than new primary data reported in this article.; Abstract does not present quantitative risk estimates, systematic evidence grading, or methodological details of literature review.; Guidance may change as further research in DICER1-associated conditions emerges..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text
ReviewReported positiveModerate evidenceTier 4 · clinical
Current oncology reports · Jul 2017 · Narrative review
juvenile granulosa cell tumorSertoli-Leydig cell tumorrhabdomyosarcoma (sarcoma botryoides)ovarian germ cell tumorsvaginal neoplasmsgenital neoplasms
This is a narrative review of pediatric and adolescent gynecologic cancers (stromal carcinomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, and ovarian germ cell tumors). The authors summarize presentation, classification, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations emphasizing high event-free and overall survival, fertility-preserving surgery, tumor-marker surveillance, and reserving adjuvant chemotherapy often for recurrence.
Key findings
- Three primary categories of gynecologic cancer in pediatric/adolescent patients are stromal carcinomas (including juvenile granulosa cell tumors and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors), rhabdomyosarcomas arising from the vagina and cervix (sarcoma botryoides), and ovarian germ cell tumors composed of varied histologies.
- Event-free and overall survival for these cancers is high.
- Treatment goals focus on minimizing morbidity and preserving fertility with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomies and limited staging.
- Surveillance of tumor markers after surgery is helpful in monitoring for disease progression and adjuvant chemotherapy is often reserved for patients at recurrence.
- Recent literature supports avoiding chemotherapy even in high-grade germ cell tumors in the pediatric population.
Limitations: Narrative review rather than original experimental or systematic primary-data study.; Conditions discussed are rare, which limits the volume and possibly the quality of evidence summarized.; Abstract includes extended material on Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) that appears unrelated to the core topic, suggesting potential mixing of content in the abstract.; No quantitative results or methods presented in the abstract to assess the evidence base or strength of recommendations..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
ReviewMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early human
Surgical pathology clinics · Jun 2016 · Review article
ovarian sex cord-stromal tumorsSertoli-Leydig cell tumorembryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the cervixgenital neoplasms, femaleovarian neoplasms
This review summarizes gynecologic tumors seen in patients with germline DICER1 mutations. The authors state that these patients are at increased risk for several relatively rare tumors in the gynecologic tract—most notably ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors (especially Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the cervix—and that such tumors can be sentinel neoplasms prompting consideration of genetic evaluation.
Key findings
- Patients with germline DICER1 mutations are at increased risk of developing a wide range of tumors, most of which are relatively rare in the general population.
- In the gynecologic tract, DICER1-associated tumors include ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors, particularly Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the cervix.
- In some cases, these gynecologic tumors are the sentinel neoplasms leading to diagnosis of the syndrome.
- DICER1-associated tumors may have distinctive morphologic appearances that may prompt the pathologist to consider an underlying tumor predisposition syndrome and therefore consideration of genetic evaluation in the patient and her family.
Limitations: Review article rather than primary data; no new patient-level data are presented in the abstract.; Abstract provides no quantitative risk estimates, penetrance, or frequency of the listed tumors.; Methods and scope of the review are not described in the abstract (e.g., systematic vs narrative), limiting assessment of bias.; Clinical management implications and outcomes are not detailed in the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
ReviewMechanismReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical
Future oncology (London, England) · Dec 2014 · Review
gastric cancerglioblastoma multiformehepatocellular carcinomabladder cancerlung cancercolon cancerovarian cancerleukemiabreast cancerhead and neck cancerrhabdomyosarcomaneuroblastoma
This is a narrative review summarizing published reports about the adaptor protein CRKL in cancer. The authors report that CRKL is overexpressed in many tumor types and appears to promote aggressive or malignant behaviors, and they suggest CRKL has potential as a diagnostic/prognostic biomarker.
Key findings
- CRKL is a member of the CRK family and functions as an adaptor protein in intracellular signal transduction.
- CRKL has been reported overexpressed in a variety of cancers.
- CRKL appears to play a tumor-promotion role in multiple cancers, including those listed in the abstract.
- The review summarizes associations between CRKL and malignant tumor behaviors and potential mechanisms of action.
- The authors state CRKL has potential to be used as a biomarker for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of certain tumors.
Limitations: This is a review article and does not present new primary experimental data.; Abstract provides no information on search strategy, inclusion criteria, or quality assessment of included studies.; Heterogeneity across many cancer types and study designs likely limits generalizability of conclusions.; The abstract does not report quantitative synthesis or effect sizes..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
ReviewInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early human
Thoracic surgery clinics · Nov 2009
diaphragm tumorsbronchogenic cystmesothelial cystlipomarhabdomyosarcomamesotheliomalung canceresophageal cancerovarian cancerthymomaendometriosis (diaphragmatic involvement)
This is a narrative review summarizing primary and secondary tumors that involve the diaphragm. It states that primary diaphragmatic tumors are rare, lists common benign and malignant histologies, and summarizes that treatment decisions (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or medical therapy for endometriosis) are made according to histology and clinical context.
Key findings
- Primary tumors of the diaphragm are rare.
- The most common benign cystic lesions are bronchogenic or mesothelial cysts; the most common benign solid lesion is a lipoma.
- Benign tumors are resected if symptomatic or if diagnosis is uncertain.
- The most common primary malignant lesion is rhabdomyosarcoma; malignant tumors are treated based on histology, often with chemotherapy and/or radiation along with surgical resection if feasible.
- Diaphragmatic endometriosis is typically treated medically, with surgical ablation or resection considered after failed conservative therapy.
- Surgical resection of metastatic malignant tumors (e.g., ovarian cancer, thymoma) or malignancies involving the diaphragm by direct extension (mesothelioma, lung, esophageal cancer) may provide some survival advantage.
Limitations: Narrative review rather than primary research; no original data presented.; No quantitative outcomes, survival statistics, or comparative trial data are provided in the abstract.; Diaphragmatic tumors are rare, so available evidence is likely limited and heterogeneous.; Not focused on any repurposed drug or natural compound (off-topic relative to compound-focused extraction)..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
Case reportTrialReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 2
Pediatric surgery international · May 2008 · case reports
This report describes two children with very rare primary ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma. After complete surgical removal, both received chemotherapy with vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide and had a good response. Both patients were alive 8 and 9 months after surgery.
Key findings
- Two pediatric cases of primary ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma were described.
- Both patients underwent complete resection of the primary tumor.
- Both received vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.
- The abstract reports a good response to therapy and survival at 8 and 9 months post-operatively.
Limitations: Case report with only 2 patients.; No control group.; Short follow-up.; Cannot separate the effect of surgery from chemotherapy.; No dosing details reported..
Describes management of a rare ovarian cancer in children, including chemotherapy, but does not isolate the effect of any single compound.
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed
ReviewInconclusiveLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical
APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica · Jul 2004
uveal melanomacutaneous melanomamucous membrane melanomainflammatory breast carcinomaductal breast carcinomaovarian carcinomaprostatic carcinomasynovial sarcomarhabdomyosarcomaosteosarcomapheochromocytomasoft tissue sarcomamelanoma
This review describes vasculogenic mimicry, where aggressive tumor cells form fluid-conducting channels, and distinguishes two types (tubular and patterned matrix). It reports that patterned matrix channels contain extracellular matrix proteins, connect with blood vessels, are seen in many tumor types, and suggests that tumors with such heterogeneity in microcirculation may not respond to angiogenesis-only therapies.
Key findings
- Vasculogenic mimicry is formation of fluid-conducting channels by highly invasive, genetically dysregulated tumor cells.
- Two types are described: tubular type (morphologically similar to endothelial-lined vessels) and patterned matrix type (does not resemble blood vessels).
- Patterned matrix contains matrix proteins such as laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and collagens IV and VI.
- The patterned matrix anastomoses with blood vessels and systemically injected tracers co-localize to these patterns.
- Patterned matrix vasculogenic mimicry has been identified in multiple tumor types including uveal, cutaneous and mucous membrane melanomas, inflammatory and ductal breast carcinoma, ovarian and prostatic carcinoma, and several soft tissue sarcomas.
- Because tumor microcirculation may be heterogeneous (including incorporated/co-opted vessels, angiogenic vessels, mosaic vessels, and vasculogenic mimicry), therapies that target angiogenesis alone may be ineffective against tumors containing patterned matrices.
Limitations: This is a narrative review rather than primary experimental data reported in this abstract.; No quantitative results, methods, or systematic search/meta-analysis details are provided in the abstract.; Therapeutic implications (ineffectiveness of anti-angiogenesis alone) are presented as a conceptual caution and are not tested within this paper per the abstract..
AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed