Germline genetic variants and pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma outcomes: a report from the Children’s Oncology Group

Martin-Giacalone BA, Richard MA, Scheurer ME, Khan J, Sok P, Shetty PB, Chanock SJ, Li SA, Yeager M, Marquez-Do DA, Barkauskas DA, Hall D, McEvoy MT, Brown AL, Sabo A, Scheet P, Huff CD, Skapek SX, Hawkins DS, Venkatramani R, Mirabello L, Lupo PJ. Germline genetic variants and pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma outcomes: a report from the Children’s Oncology Group. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 Jun 8;115(6):733-741. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djad055. PubMed PMID: 36951526; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10248851.

Relative to other pediatric cancers, survival for rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) has not improved in recent decades, suggesting the need to enhance risk stratification. Therefore, we conducted a genome-wide association study for event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) to identify genetic variants associated with outcomes in individuals with RMS. The study included 920 individuals with newly diagnosed RMS who were enrolled in Children’s Oncology Group protocols. To assess the association of each single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with EFS and OS, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for clinical covariates. All statistical tests were two sided. We also performed stratified analyses by histological subtype (alveolar and embryonal RMS) and carried out sensitivity analyses of statistically significant SNPs by PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion status and genetic ancestry group.