The NCRI Sarcoma Group identified their strategic priorities in 2022 to address challenges faced in sarcoma research and to ultimately improve outcomes for sarcoma patients with currently unmet needs.
NCRI Sarcoma Group strategic priorities 2023-2026
Develop a Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) trial for all patients
The aim of this priority is to develop a change in practice in how high-risk STS is described and how best to investigate new treatments though a collaborative platform of clinicians, scientists, and pathologists.
Develop studies into treatment of metastatic chondrosarcoma
Through this priority we aim to work on opportunities identified at a workshop held with Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT) to develop future studies into treatment of metastatic disease, including exploring opportunities to develop research into early diagnosis, as well as the potential to engage with up-and-coming studies involving new targeted agents under development in both the commercial and academic sector.
Extend and build on the ICONIC osteosarcoma study
The ICONIC (osteosarcoma) study, developed through the former Bone Subgroup of the NCRI Sarcoma Group, has progressed very well despite some delays due to COVID-19. To improve outcomes, including lack of events, deaths and improved quality of life, the ICONIC research group plan to extend and build on this study through this working group with a new application in draft.
Build on the Rhabdomyosarcoma: The open Frontline and Relapsed Rhabdomyosarcoma (FaR-RMS) study to facilitate further investigation of important research questions in the field
The FaR-RMS study was developed by the former Young Onset Soft Tissue Sarcoma Subgroup of the NCRI Sarcoma Group in 2018 and will run for at least 10 years, including follow up. Whilst this is an ‘all ages’ study, the predominant focus is on children and young adults and remains a priority of the Sarcoma Group with the UK leading on much of this international study. This working group will focus on developing this platform study, facilitating further research questions beyond the current 9 randomisations.
Develop a study into treatment of Nonrhabdomyosarcoma
This rare group of tumours includes a wide variety of histological subtypes, and research initiatives have often involved registry type studies, which are hard to fund in the UK. There has been no study available since the closure of the European Soft tissue Sarcoma Group (EpSSG) Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma (NRSTS) 2005 study in 2016, so it is a key area of need. These studies would include children/teenage and young adults (TYA) but could be extended to all ages.