Preclinical models of soft tissue sarcomas – generation and applications to enhance translational research

Sandro Pasquali1; David S Moura; Molly Danks; Piotr Manasterski; Nadia Zaffaroni; Silvia Stacchiotti; Jose L Mondaza-Hernandez; William GJ  Kerrison; Javier Martin-Broto; Paul Huang; Valerie G Brunton

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.104621

Preclinical models of soft tissue sarcomas – generation and applications to enhance translational research

Sandro Pasquali1, David S Moura, Molly Danks, Piotr Manasterski, Nadia Zaffaroni, Silvia Stacchiotti, Jose L Mondaza-Hernandez, William GJ Kerrison, Javier Martin-Broto, Paul Huang, Valerie G Brunton^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a large group of rare and ultra-rare tumors distinguished
by unique morphological, molecular and clinical features. Patients with such rare cancers are
generally underrepresented in clinical trials which has limited the introduction of new treatment
options and subsequent improvement of patient outcomes. Preclinical models of STS that
recapitulate the human disease can aid progress in identifying new effective treatments.
However, due to the rarity of these tumors there are limited STS models available. Here we
review the existing preclinical models of STS, including patient-derived cell lines and
organoids, patient-derived xenografts and genetically engineered mouse models. We discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of the different models and describe to what extent they
have aided clinical translation. Finally, we consider what can be done in the future to enhance
their predictivity in the preclinical setting.

Original language	English
Journal	Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
Volume	207
Early online date	15 Jan 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.104621
Publication status	Published - Mar 2025

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Soft tissue sarcoma
preclinical tumor models
genetically engineered mice

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10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.104621Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY)

Preclinical models of soft tissue sarcomas – generation and applications toFinal published version, 1.78 MBLicence: CC BY

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Pasquali1, S., Moura, D. S., Danks, M., Manasterski, P., Zaffaroni, N., Stacchiotti, S., Mondaza-Hernandez, J. L., Kerrison, W. GJ., Martin-Broto, J., Huang, P., & Brunton, V. G. (2025). Preclinical models of soft tissue sarcomas – generation and applications to enhance translational research. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.104621

@article{909d9b1b62fb4014b27edc6146019e83,

title = "Preclinical models of soft tissue sarcomas – generation and applications to enhance translational research",

abstract = "Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a large group of rare and ultra-rare tumors distinguished by unique morphological, molecular and clinical features. Patients with such rare cancers are generally underrepresented in clinical trials which has limited the introduction of new treatment options and subsequent improvement of patient outcomes. Preclinical models of STS that recapitulate the human disease can aid progress in identifying new effective treatments. However, due to the rarity of these tumors there are limited STS models available. Here we review the existing preclinical models of STS, including patient-derived cell lines and organoids, patient-derived xenografts and genetically engineered mouse models. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different models and describe to what extent they have aided clinical translation. Finally, we consider what can be done in the future to enhance their predictivity in the preclinical setting.",

keywords = "Soft tissue sarcoma, preclinical tumor models, genetically engineered mice",

author = "Sandro Pasquali1 and Moura, \{David S\} and Molly Danks and Piotr Manasterski and Nadia Zaffaroni and Silvia Stacchiotti and Mondaza-Hernandez, \{Jose L\} and Kerrison, \{William GJ\} and Javier Martin-Broto and Paul Huang and Brunton, \{Valerie G\}",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.104621",

language = "English",

volume = "207",

journal = "Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology",

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Pasquali1, S, Moura, DS, Danks, M, Manasterski, P, Zaffaroni, N, Stacchiotti, S, Mondaza-Hernandez, JL, Kerrison, WGJ, Martin-Broto, J, Huang, P & Brunton, VG 2025, 'Preclinical models of soft tissue sarcomas – generation and applications to enhance translational research', Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, vol. 207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.104621

TY - JOUR

T1 - Preclinical models of soft tissue sarcomas – generation and applications to enhance translational research

AU - Pasquali1, Sandro

AU - Moura, David S

AU - Danks, Molly

AU - Manasterski, Piotr

AU - Zaffaroni, Nadia

AU - Stacchiotti, Silvia

AU - Mondaza-Hernandez, Jose L

AU - Kerrison, William GJ

AU - Martin-Broto, Javier

AU - Huang, Paul

AU - Brunton, Valerie G

PY - 2025/3

Y1 - 2025/3

N2 - Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a large group of rare and ultra-rare tumors distinguished by unique morphological, molecular and clinical features. Patients with such rare cancers are generally underrepresented in clinical trials which has limited the introduction of new treatment options and subsequent improvement of patient outcomes. Preclinical models of STS that recapitulate the human disease can aid progress in identifying new effective treatments. However, due to the rarity of these tumors there are limited STS models available. Here we review the existing preclinical models of STS, including patient-derived cell lines and organoids, patient-derived xenografts and genetically engineered mouse models. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different models and describe to what extent they have aided clinical translation. Finally, we consider what can be done in the future to enhance their predictivity in the preclinical setting.

AB - Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a large group of rare and ultra-rare tumors distinguished by unique morphological, molecular and clinical features. Patients with such rare cancers are generally underrepresented in clinical trials which has limited the introduction of new treatment options and subsequent improvement of patient outcomes. Preclinical models of STS that recapitulate the human disease can aid progress in identifying new effective treatments. However, due to the rarity of these tumors there are limited STS models available. Here we review the existing preclinical models of STS, including patient-derived cell lines and organoids, patient-derived xenografts and genetically engineered mouse models. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different models and describe to what extent they have aided clinical translation. Finally, we consider what can be done in the future to enhance their predictivity in the preclinical setting.

KW - Soft tissue sarcoma

KW - preclinical tumor models

KW - genetically engineered mice

U2 - 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.104621

DO - 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.104621

M3 - Article

SN - 1040-8428

VL - 207

JO - Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology

JF - Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology

ER -

Preclinical models of soft tissue sarcomas – generation and applications to enhance translational research

Abstract

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

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