Large-Scale Multiomic Analysis Identifies Anatomic Differences and Immunogenic Potential in Subtypes of Leiomyosarcoma

Abstract

Purpose: Comprehensive molecular profiling was used to define the genomic and immune landscapes of leiomyosarcomas (LMS) by anatomic subtypes, which have not been completely characterized.

Experimental design: A total of 1,115 LMS samples, categorized into uterine LMS (uLMS), retroperitoneal LMS, or other LMS (oLMS), underwent DNA/RNA sequencing (Caris Life Sciences). Genomic/transcriptomic profiles were compared across subtypes. Immune profiling was compared with melanoma (n = 1,255), an immunogenic tumor. Insurance claims data were used to infer real-world outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in LMS.

Results: uLMSs (n = 701) were molecularly distinct from retroperitoneal LMSs (n = 166) and oLMSs (n = 248). RB1 mutations and MAP2K4 copy-number amplification were more common in non-uLMS. MED12 mutations were almost exclusive to uLMS. Traditional ICI response biomarkers (i.e., PD-L1) did not vary by anatomic site. Non-uLMS demonstrated upregulated immune-related gene sets, including IFN and inflammatory response pathways, and higher immune cell infiltration, especially CD8+ T cells and B cells (>2-fold increase, P < 0.0001). LMS had lower immune cell abundance and T cell-inflamed scores (TIS) compared with melanoma, though 11% of oLMS samples had high TIS scores. In a real-world cohort (n = 138), 29% of patients with LMS receiving ICI were treated >6 months, indicating potential clinical benefit.

Conclusions: Comprehensive profiling suggested that uLMS represents a molecularly distinct disease from non-uLMS. Although traditional ICI response biomarkers were similar across anatomic subtypes, uLMSs were immune cold compared with non-uLMS. Signals for ICI responsiveness, such as high TIS and immune cell abundance, in some tumors suggest that further research into immunotherapies for LMS is warranted.