Diagnostic Panels for Pediatric Sarcomas

At KFSHRC, over 350 new pediatric cancer cases are diagnosed annually. We are working on a retrospective and prospective molecular analysis of pediatric solid tumors, correlating genomic findings with clinical outcomes. A special focus is placed on Ewing sarcoma and Ewing-like sarcomas, including BCOR-associated and CIC-rearranged sarcomas — tumors defined by characteristic gene fusions or mutations. Our goal is to:

• Perform whole exome or targeted sequencing on archived and fresh tumor samples.

• Correlate molecular profiles with clinicopathological features.

• Conduct five-year overall and event-free survival analyses.

• Develop a rapid, cost-efficient diagnostic panel to differentiate Ewing subtypes and other soft tissue sarcomas.

The project will establish the first comprehensive molecular database for pediatric solid tumors in Saudi Arabia, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, refined prognostic tools, and the identification of actionable therapeutic targets. The Ewing sarcoma diagnostic panel will accelerate subtype classification, reduce costs, and guide personalized treatment, ultimately improving survival rates and minimizing treatment toxicity in children. This project will lay the groundwork for precision pediatric oncology in the Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.