Integrated molecular pathology and therapeutic outcomes in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Ki-67…

Cohort studyBMC cancer· Apr 2026

Integrated molecular pathology and therapeutic outcomes in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Ki-67, COL1A1::PDGFB, and efficacy of Mohs surgery with postoperative imatinib in 153 Chinese patients.

Jinrui Guo, Yongmei Cui, Nana Zhang … Dan He

Dermatologic SurgeryCohort studyPrognosisQ2IF 4.0

Postoperative imatinib linked to low recurrence in fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

Integrated molecular pathology and therapeutic outcomes in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Ki-67, COL1A1::PDGFB, and efficacy of Mohs surgery with postoperative imatinib in 153 Chinese patients.

Jinrui Guo … Dan He

BMC cancer · Apr 2026

Background

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans) is a rare cutaneous sarcoma with a high local recurrence rate.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 153 consecutive dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans cases (2018-2023).

n = 124 patients

7.1%

Results

7.1%

Only 2 of 28 high-risk tumors recurred after surgery plus imatinib for 6+ months.

n = 124 patients

More results

Fusion transcripts were identified in 145 of 153 tumours (94.8%).

Fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans showed larger size and higher Ki-67 index than conventional dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (5.1 vs 4.1 cm, P = 0.023; 23.4% vs 9.1%, P < 0.001).

Among 122 patients followed after MMS, five relapsed (4.1%).

More results

Ki-67 ≥ 15% strongly correlated with fibrosarcomatous change.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

COL1A1::PDGFB fusion remains the molecular hallmark of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

A Ki-67 index ≥ 15% indicates aggressive biology and should prompt meticulous surgical planning and consideration of postoperative imatinib in high-risk tumours.

Integrated molecular pathology and therapeutic outcomes in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Ki-67, COL1A1::PDGFB, and efficacy of Mohs surgery with postoperative imatinib in 153 Chinese patients.

Integrated molecular pathology and therapeutic outcomes in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Ki-67, COL1A1::PDGFB, and efficacy of Mohs surgery with postoperative imatinib in 153 Chinese patients.

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