Optimising combination therapy for paediatric, adolescent and young adult patients with non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas: The OCTOPUS platform trial

Editorial

Few innovative treatments were developed for patients with non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) in the past decades. The paper describes the OCTOPUS project (Optimising Combination Therapy fOr Paediatric, adolescent and yoUng adult patients with non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue Sarcomas), a master protocol and includes an adaptive platform trial comprising different sub-trials, a real-world data registry, translational studies, and overarching study questions assessing local therapy issues and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Knowledge and resources gaps for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients: Results from survAYA, an Italian National Survey

Research Article

Adolescents and young adults (AYA; 15–39 years) represent a distinct oncology population with specific biological and psychosocial needs. Despite growing awareness, AYA patients often face fragmented care between pediatric and adult settings, resulting in diagnostic delays, limited clinical trial access, and inadequate psychosocial support. In 2021, the AIOM-AIEOP AYA Working Group was established in Italy to promote awareness and address these challenges.