Researchers, clinicians and LMS Research UK trustees and volunteers came together online this summer for an LMS Pathfinder Networking meeting to share updates on uterine leiomyosarcoma research and discuss opportunities to work more closely together.
Dr Alexander Lee: The PRIMUS study
Dr Alexander Lee presented the newly funded PRIMUS study, which aims to build a clearer picture of how uterine sarcoma is diagnosed and managed across the UK.
The programme will map current clinical pathways and establish a prospective patient cohort. It will also collect blood, imaging and tissue samples for biomarker research, with the aim of supporting future studies involving circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) and AI-enabled imaging. Patient involvement will help shape future research priorities.
Professor Esther Moss: Updates on the DOORS-D and DOORS-M studies
Professor Esther Moss shared updates on the DOORS-D and DOORS-M studies, which are exploring blood-based biomarkers, ctDNA monitoring, imaging, digital pathology and radiomics.
Recruitment is expanding across several UK centres, with international collaboration helping to strengthen data and sample collection. Qualitative research is also exploring people’s experiences and diagnostic journeys.
Both research teams discussed ways to align protocols, share learning and validate findings across independent patient cohorts. This collaboration can help build the evidence needed to assess how research findings may be used in future clinical practice.
Professor Robin Jones: Leiomyosarcoma clinical trial update
Professor Robin Jones reviewed ongoing and recently completed studies in leiomyosarcoma. These included an international trial comparing adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery with surveillance only for people with high-risk uterine LMS disease.
He also discussed results from a phase III study in advanced leiomyosarcoma, which showed an improvement in progression-free survival and highlighted the continuing need for predictive biomarkers. Recruitment has also been completed for a phase III trial comparing doxorubicin with doxorubicin plus lurbinectedin in metastatic leiomyosarcoma; results are awaited.
Building collaboration across the UK
The meeting highlighted growing activity in leiomyosarcoma research, including work on diagnosis, biomarkers and clinical trials. Participants discussed how closer collaboration could help researchers share knowledge and strengthen future studies.
Our priorities include developing regional workshops, exploring a national virtual uterine sarcoma tissue bank, identifying infrastructure needs for future collaborative funding applications, and continuing to raise awareness of leiomyosarcoma. Patient-facing research webinars are also being considered.
We thank all the presenters and participants for sharing their work and contributing to the discussion.
