Pediatric bone and soft tissue sarcomas, including osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma, represent devastating malignancies with survival rates that have remained stagnant for four decades. Despite intensive multimodal treatment, five-year survival for localized osteosarcoma remains at about 60%, while metastatic and recurrent disease carries a dismal 20-30% survival rate. These tumors present unique challenges in the pediatric population: ongoing skeletal growth complicates surgical reconstruction, chemotherapy affects developing organs, and survivors face decades of potential complications. Recent advances in tumor biology—including single-cell characterization of the immunosuppressive microenvironment, identification of novel therapeutic targets for CAR-T therapy, and development of liquid biopsy approaches—offer new hope for improving outcomes. Simultaneously, surgical innovations including 3D-printed patient-specific implants, computer-assisted navigation achieving sub-2mm accuracy, and non-invasive expandable prostheses have transformed limb-salvage approaches while raising new questions about long-term outcomes in growing children.

Goal

The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together multidisciplinary expertise spanning pediatric oncology, orthopedic oncology, tumor biology, and rehabilitation medicine to advance understanding and treatment of pediatric bone and soft tissue tumors. We aim to catalyze translational research that bridges molecular discoveries with clinical implementation, ultimately improving survival and quality of life for affected children.

Scope and Information for Authors

We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Case Reports, and Perspectives addressing pediatric bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

● Tumor microenvironment characterization and immune escape mechanisms.
● Novel immunotherapy approaches including CAR-T cell therapy, checkpoint inhibitors, and combination strategies.
● Genomic and molecular profiling for precision medicine applications.
● Liquid biopsy development for disease monitoring and minimal residual disease detection.
● Artificial intelligence applications in imaging, pathology, and treatment planning.
● Surgical innovations including 3D printing, navigation, and robotic-assisted resection.
● Limb-salvage reconstruction techniques and expandable prosthesis outcomes in skeletally immature patients.
● Biological reconstruction methods (vascularized grafts, recycled autografts) and their pediatric-specific considerations.
● Long-term functional outcomes, quality of life, and survivorship research.
● Late effects of treatment including cardiotoxicity and second malignancies.
● Global health perspectives and disparities in pediatric sarcoma care.

We particularly encourage submissions addressing the intersection of tumor biology and surgical decision-making, as well as studies examining growth-related challenges unique to pediatric patients.

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Advancing Pediatric Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Management: From Molecular Insights to Surgical Innovation