Hypoxia-Associated Multiomic Changes in Myxofibrosarcoma and Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcomas are aggressive cancers originating from connective tissues, often found in the limbs, chest wall, or abdomen. Despite successful surgery for localized tumors, over half of sarcoma patients face the risk of cancer spreading to distant organs. Low oxygen environments within sarcoma tumors are known to worsen outcomes, yet how they specifically contribute to the spread of cancer remains unknown. In the proposed project, we will use tissue samples from a study where patients were given a drug that marks low oxygen tissues to enable the comparison of low oxygen to oxygenated cells and to study gene activity. Our research aims to understand how low oxygen influences the behavior of soft tissue sarcomas and their likelihood of spreading. This work could lead to new drug targets and help tailor treatments for individual patients, potentially improving survival rates. Our project is innovative because it combines advanced scientific techniques and leverages unique samples from a clinical trial. Addressing this gap in knowledge is crucial for developing targeted treatments and overcoming the challenge of metastatic recurrence in these cancers.