Changes in host defence induced by malignancies and antineoplastic treatment: implication for immunotherapeutic strategies

Infectious complications in the pediatric immunocompromised host: a narrative review

BACKGROUND

Infections are a major cause for morbidity in children with primary or secondary immunodeficiency, and have a negative impact on overall outcome.

OBJECTIVES

This narrative review presents select pediatric specific aspects regarding the clinical impact, diagnosis, management and follow-up of infectious complications in patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiencies.

SOURCES

PubMed until January 2024 and searched references in identified articles including the search terms: infection, immunodeficiency or cancer, diagnostics, antimicrobial agents, bacteria or fungus or virus, and follow-up.

CONTENT

Major advances have been made in the early detection and management of patients with primary immunodeficiency, and multiple analyses report in children with cancer on risk groups and periods of risk for infectious complications. Although many diagnostic tools are comparable between children and adults, specific considerations have to be applied, such as minimizing the use of radiation. Antimicrobial drug development remains a major challenge in the pediatric setting, which includes the establishment of appropriate dosing and pediatric approval. Last, long-term follow-up and the impact of late effects are extremely important to be considered in the management of immunocompromised pediatric patients.

IMPLICATIONS

Although infectious disease supportive care of immunocompromised children and adolescents has considerably improved over the last three decades, close international collaboration is needed to target the specific challenges in this special population.

Skeletal muscle adaptations in patients with lung cancer: Longitudinal observations from the whole body to cellular level

BACKGROUND

Cancer and its treatment can adversely affect skeletal muscle, impacting physical function, treatment response and survival. No studies, however, have comprehensively characterized these muscle adaptations longitudinally in human patients at the cellular level.

METHODS

We examined skeletal muscle size and function from the whole body to the sub-cellular level in 11 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; 6 male/5 female, mean age 58 ± 3 years) studied over a 2-month observation period starting during their first cycle of standard of care cancer treatment and in 11 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) without a current or past history of cancer. Biopsies of the vastus lateralis were performed to assess muscle fibre size, contractility and mitochondrial content, along with assessments of physical function, whole muscle size and function, and circulating cytokines.

RESULTS

Body weight, composition and thigh muscle area and density were unaltered over time in patients with NSCLC, while muscle density was lower in patients with NSCLC versus HC (P = 0.03). Skeletal muscle fibre size decreased by 18% over time in patients (all P = 0.02) and was lower than HC (P = 0.02). Mitochondrial fractional area and density did not change over time in patients, but fractional area was lower in patients with NSCLC compared with HC (subsarcolemmal, P = 0.04; intermyofibrillar, P = 0.03). Patients with NSCLC had higher plasma concentrations of IL-6 (HC 1.40 ± 0.50; NSCLC 4.71 ± 4.22; P < 0.01), GDF-15 (HC 569 ± 166; NSCLC 2071 ± 1168; P < 0.01) and IL-8/CXCL8 (HC 4.9 ± 1.8; NSCLC 10.1 ± 6.0; P = 0.02) compared with HC, but there were no changes in inflammatory markers in patients with NSCLC over time. No changes were observed in markers of satellite cell activation or DNA damage in patients and no group differences were noted with HC. Whole-muscle strength was preserved over time in patients with NSCLC coincident with improved single fibre contractility.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to comprehensively examine longitudinal alterations in skeletal muscle fibre size and function in patients with NSCLC and suggests that muscle fibre atrophy occurs during cancer treatment despite weight stability and no changes in conventional clinical measurements of whole body or thigh muscle size over this period.

Infectious Complications in Paediatric Haematopoetic Cell Transplantation for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Current Status

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in paediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is associated with a variety of infectious complications which result in significant morbidity and mortality. These patients are profoundly immunocompromised, and immune reconstitution after HSCT generally occurs in astrictly defined order. During the early phase after HSCT until engraftment, patients are at risk of infections due to presence of neutropenia and mucosal damage, with Gramme-positive and Gramme-negative bacteria and fungi being the predominant pathogens. After neutrophil recovery, the profound impairment of cell-mediated immunity and use of glucocorticosteroids for control of graft-vs.-host disease (GvHD) increases the risk of invasive mould infection and infection or reactivation of various viruses, such as cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus and human adenovirus. In the late phase, characterised by impaired cellular and humoral immunity, particularly in conjunction with chronic GvHD, invasive infections with encapsulated bacterial infections are observed in addition to fungal and viral infections. HSCT also causes a loss of pretransplant naturally acquired and vaccine-acquired immunity; therefore, complete reimmunization is necessary to maintain long-term health in these patients. During the last two decades, major advances have been made in our understanding of and in the control of infectious complications associated with HSCT. In this article, we review current recommendations for the diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of infectious complications following HSCT for ALL in childhood.

Evaluation of performance of two SARS-CoV-2 Rapid IgM-IgG combined antibody tests on capillary whole blood samples from the fingertip

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2) is responsible for the infectious respiratory disease called COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019). In response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, point-of-care (POC) tests have been developed to detect specific antibodies, IgG and IgM, to SARS-CoV-2 virus in human whole blood. We conducted a prospective observational study to evaluate the performance of two POC tests, COVID-PRESTO^® and COVID-DUO^®, compared to the gold standard, RT-PCR (real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction).

Methods

RT-PCR testing of SARS-Cov-2 was performed from nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected in adult patients visiting the infectious disease department at the hospital (Orléans, France). Capillary whole blood (CWB) samples from the fingertip taken at different time points after onset of the disease were tested with POC tests. The specificity and sensitivity of the rapid test kits compared to test of reference (RT-PCR) were calculated.

Results

Among 381 patients with symptoms of COVID-19 who went to the hospital for a diagnostic, 143 patients were RT-PCR negative. Results of test with POC tests were all negative for these patients, indicating a specificity of 100% for both POC tests.

In the RT-PCR positive subgroup (n = 238), 133 patients were tested with COVID-PRESTO^® and 129 patients were tested with COVID-DUO^® (24 patients tested with both). The further the onset of symptoms was from the date of collection, the greater the sensitivity. The sensitivity of COVID-PRESTO^® test ranged from 10.00% for patients having experienced their 1^st symptoms from 0 to 5 days ago to 100% in patients where symptoms had occurred more than 15 days before the date of tests. For COVID-DUO^® test, the sensitivity ranged from 35.71% [0–5 days] to 100% (> 15 days).

Conclusion

COVID-PRESTO^® and DUO^® POC tests turned out to be very specific (none false positive) and to be sensitive enough after 15 days from onset of symptom. These easy to use IgG/IgM combined test kits are the first ones allowing a screening with CWB sample, by typing from a finger prick. These rapid tests are particularly interesting for screening in low resource settings.

Immunization status in childhood cancer survivors: A hidden risk which could be prevented

BACKGROUND

A limited number of studies have examined the vaccine-specific antibody status of children with cancer. There are disagreements over the guidelines for postcancer immunization strategy.

METHODS

Our study was an observational, cross-sectional retrospective review of data collected on children who were seen in the outpatient clinic at King Abdullah Medical City, Oncology Center, Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our aim was to evaluate the seropositive status to vaccine-preventable diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB) in childhood cancer survivors at our center in order to plan future vaccination for these children and establish a simple revaccination schedule.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients (21 boys and 26 girls) were included in the study. Age at the time of cancer diagnosis (mean±standard deviation) was 5.68±3.79 years and age at test sampling was 10.68±3.79 years. Acute leukemia was the most common cancer (49% of patients), followed by lymphoma (28%), brain tumors (13%), and solid tumors (10%). Treatment intensities (according to the Treatment Intensity Rating Scale, version 3.0; ITR-3) were 2, 3, and 4 for 26 patients (55%), 20 patients (43%), and one patient (2.1%), respectively. We found that 93% of our patients were considered seronegative (unprotected) for at least one vaccine-preventable disease. The seronegative rates for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and HIB were 46.8%, 36.2%, 36.2%, 46.8%, 61.7%, 17.1%, and 42.6%, respectively. Criteria including age at diagnosis, age at sampling, type of malignancy, and treatment intensity were not significantly different between seropositive and seronegative patients.

CONCLUSION

Seronegative rates for vaccine-preventable diseases were very high in childhood cancer survivors, which represented a subpopulation of high-risk patients who could benefit from revaccination. We suggest a universal revaccination approach for all childhood cancer survivors, which is easily applicable and of low cost.

Natural Killer Cells in Antifungal Immunity

Invasive fungal infections are still an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients such as patients suffering from hematological malignancies or patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantion. In addition, other populations such as human immunodeficiency virus-patients are at higher risk for invasive fungal infection. Despite the availability of new antifungal compounds and better supportive care measures, the fatality rate of invasive fungal infection remained unacceptably high. It is therefore of major interest to improve our understanding of the host-pathogen interaction to develop new therapeutic approaches such as adoptive immunotherapy. As experimental methodologies have improved and we now better understand the complex network of the immune system, the insight in the interaction of the host with the fungus has significantly increased. It has become clear that host resistance to fungal infections is not only associated with strong innate immunity but that adaptive immunity (e.g., T cells) also plays an important role. The antifungal activity of natural killer (NK) cells has been underestimated for a long time. In vitro studies demonstrated that NK cells from murine and human origin are able to attack fungi of different genera and species. NK cells exhibit not only a direct antifungal activity via cytotoxic molecules but also an indirect antifungal activity via cytokines. However, it has been show that fungi exert immunosuppressive effects on NK cells. Whereas clinical data are scarce, animal models have clearly demonstrated that NK cells play an important role in the host response against invasive fungal infections. In this review, we summarize clinical data as well as results from in vitro and animal studies on the impact of NK cells on fungal pathogens.

Understanding the reconstitution of the B-cell compartment in bone marrow and blood after treatment for B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

A better understanding of the reconstitution of the B-cell compartment during and after treatment in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL) will help to assess the immunological status and needs of post-treatment BCP-ALL patients. Using 8-colour flow cytometry and proliferation-assays, we studied the composition and proliferation of both the B-cell precursor (BCP) population in the bone marrow (BM) and mature B-cell population in peripheral blood (PB) during and after BCP-ALL therapy. We found a normal BCP differentiation pattern and a delayed formation of classical CD38^dim -naive mature B-cells, natural effector B-cells and memory B-cells in patients after chemotherapy. This B-cell differentiation/maturation pattern was strikingly similar to that during initial B-cell development in healthy infants. Tissue-resident plasma cells appeared to be partly protected from chemotherapy. Also, we found that the fast recovery of naive mature B-cell numbers after chemotherapy was the result of increased de novo BCP generation, rather than enhanced B-cell proliferation in BM or PB. These results indicate that post-treatment BCP-ALL patients will eventually re-establish a B-cell compartment with a composition and B-cell receptor repertoire similar to that in healthy children. Additionally, the formation of a new memory B-cell compartment suggests that revaccination might be beneficial after BCP-ALL therapy.

NK Cells and Their Role in Invasive Mold Infection

There is growing evidence that Natural Killer (NK) cells exhibit in vitro activity against both Aspergillus and non-Aspergillus molds. Cytotoxic molecules such as NK cell-derived perforin seem to play an important role in the antifungal activity. In addition, NK cells release a number of cytokines upon stimulation by fungi, which modulate both innate and adaptive host immune responses. Whereas the in vitro data of the antifungal activity of NK cells are supported by animal studies, clinical data are scarce to date.

Fungal infections of the lung in children

Fungal infections of the lungs are relatively common and potentially life-threatening conditions in immunocompromised children. The role of imaging in children with lung mycosis is to delineate the extension of pulmonary involvement, to assess response to therapy, and to monitor for adverse sequelae such as bronchiectasis and cavitation. The aim of this paper is to show imaging findings in a series of patients with fungal pneumonia from two tertiary children's hospitals, to discuss differential diagnoses and to show how imaging findings can vary depending on the host immune response.

Anti-infective prophylaxis in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Pediatric patients undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are at high risk for infectious complications, predominantly due to Gram-negative bacteria, viridans group streptococci and fungal pathogens. In order to prevent infections in these patients, most institutions have implemented a number of non-pharmacological approaches to supportive care. In addition, antibiotic prophylaxis reduces bacterial infection, but may increase the emergence of resistance. Antifungal prophylaxis is generally recommended for children with AML. Whereas the use of hematopoietic growth factors has not resulted in improved survival, the efficacy of prophylactic granulocyte transfusions has to be determined.

Mechanisms affecting neutrophil migration capacity in breast cancer patients before and after chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To investigate the mechanisms affecting neutrophil migration capacity in breast cancer patients before and after chemotherapy.

METHODS

Peripheral venous blood was collected at the time of diagnosis and immediately prior to the 4th cycle of an anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen for patients diagnosed with different stages of breast cancer (n = 30), for experimental assays. Blood samples were also collected from a healthy control group (n = 17).

RESULTS

IL-8 serum concentrations were higher in the patient group than in the control group (p = 0.02), and chemotherapy did not further affect this increase. Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 did not differ between controls and patients, or in relation to chemotherapy. Serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites were elevated following chemotherapy compared to levels detected prior to treatment (p = 0.01). When the supernatants of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mononuclear cells and neutrophils obtained from the patients were assayed for levels of nitrite, these levels were significantly higher and unchanged, respectively, compared with controls. Expression levels of the chemokine receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, were significantly reduced in patients compared to controls, and chemotherapy did not further affect these differences. Furthermore, filamentous actin content for IL-8-activated neutrophils was reduced with chemotherapy (median 8.85; range 3.38-13.43) compared to the content detected prior to treatment (median 9.23; range 2.86-22.16) (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated systemic levels of IL-8 and NO, desensitization to CXCR activation, and reduction in actin polymerization may affect neutrophil motility in patients before and after chemotherapy.

Infektionen

Die Meldung und Erfassung von Infektionskrankheiten ist in Deutschland durch das Infektionsschutzgesetz (IfSG) geregelt. In §6 sind meldepflichtige Krankheiten nach gewissen Vorgaben geregelt.

Impact of treatment reduction for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia on serum immunoglobulins and antibodies against vaccine-preventable diseases

BACKGROUND

The consequences of current intensive chemotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for immune defense are a matter of concern. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of reduced compared with intensive (conventional) ALL chemotherapy on serum immunoglobulin levels and specific antibody concentrations against vaccine-preventable diseases.

PROCEDURE

Patients treated according to Dutch Childhood Oncology Group ALL 10 protocol were stratified by minimal residual disease to receive reduced (standard risk; SR) or intensive (medium risk; MR) intensification/maintenance treatment. Between November 2004 and July 2009 we compared serum immunoglobulins of 110 patients and specific antibodies against diphtheria toxin, tetanus toxin, and Bordetella pertussis antigens of 41 patients of SR and MR groups during chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Immunoglobulin levels showed significantly different patterns between the SR and MR groups. In the MR group IgG, IgA, and IgM levels decreased towards the end of intensive treatment; in the SR group IgG levels increased while IgA and IgM stabilized. In both groups IgM and IgG levels were most affected. Specific antibody levels against vaccine-preventable diseases decreased in both groups, but more profound in MR group.

CONCLUSIONS

Although reduced chemotherapy is beneficial for immunoglobulin level recovery and might prevent susceptibility for infections, specific antibodies remain decreased.

Immunotherapy against invasive fungal diseases in stem cell transplant recipients

Despite the availability of new antifungal compounds, morbidity and mortality of invasive fungal disease in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients are still unacceptably high. Over the past decade, one could witness an exciting improvement of the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis and of the complexity of host antifungal immune responses. This, in turn, provides critical information to augment host immunity against fungal pathogens. Strategies for enhancing the immune system include the administration of effector and regulatory cells (e.g., granulocytes, antigen-specific T cells, dendritic cells) as well as the administration of recombinant cytokines, interferons and growth factors (e.g., interferon-γ, keratinocyte growth factor, granulocyte- and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor). One has to recognize at the same time, however, that data of in vitro assays and animal models cannot necessarily be transferred into the clinical setting. In addition, meaningful clinical trials in allogeneic stem cell recipients suffering from invasive fungal disease require sufficiently large and homogenous cohorts of patients and can only be performed in international collaboration, but may ultimately improve the outcome of allogeneic transplant recipients with invasive fungal disease.

Immune reconstitution in children following chemotherapy for haematological malignancies: a long-term follow-up

Modern intensive chemotherapy for childhood haematological malignancies has led to high cure rates, but has detrimental effects on the immune system. There is little knowledge concerning long-term recovery of the adaptive immune system. Here we studied the long-term reconstitution of the adaptive immune system in 31 children treated for haematological malignancies between July 2000 and October 2006. We performed detailed phenotypical and functional analyses of the various B and T cell subpopulations until 5 years after chemotherapy. We show that recovery of newly-developed transitional B cells and naive B and T cells occurred rapidly, within months, whereas recovery of the different memory B and T cell subpopulations was slower and incomplete, even after 5 years post-chemotherapy. The speed of B and T cell recovery was age-independent, despite a significant contribution of the thymus to T cell recovery. Plasmablast B cell levels remained above normal and immunoglobulin levels normalised within 1 week. Functional T cell responses were normal, even within the first year post-chemotherapy. This study shows that after intensive chemotherapy for haematological malignancies in children, numbers of several memory B and T cell subpopulations were decreased on the long term, while functional T cell responses were not compromised.

"First do no harm" and the importance of prediction in oncology

Present cancer treatment strategies are based on the assumption that a therapy may work (“response”) or not work (“no-response”). However, the existing evidence suggests that current cancer treatment modalities may also have a cancer-promoting effect in part of the patients. In this paper, some relevant data are reviewed suggesting that surgery, irradiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy can stimulate tumor growth / metastatic spread and decrease survival of patients in certain subgroups. Thus, results of cancer treatment may be improved by detection and use of biomarkers that correlate with positive or negative therapeutic effects. Small trials based on groups with differing biomarkers rather than large phase III trials may aid the development and efficacy testing of new anticancer drugs. Moreover, ignoring biomarkers that correlate with positive or negative therapeutic effect may not be compatible anymore with the ethical principle “First Do No Harm”.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome during neutropenia recovery

Acute respiratory failure is a life-threatening complication in cancer patients. During neutropenia, patients are at high risk for bacterial pneumonia or invasive fungal infections, when neutropenia is prolonged. A high proportion of patients in whom neutropenia had been complicated by pneumonia will present with substantial respiratory deterioration during neutropenia recovery. Patients with fungal pneumonia and those receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to shorten neutropenia duration may be at higher risk for this acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome during neutropenia recovery. Routine screening of patient's risk factors is crucial since first symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome may occur before biological leukocyte recovery.

Early effects of doxorubicin in perfused heart: transcriptional profiling reveals inhibition of cellular stress response genes

Doxorubicin (DXR) belongs to the most efficient anticancer drugs. However, its clinical application is limited by the risk of severe cardiac-specific toxicity, for which an efficient treatment is missing. Underlying molecular mechanisms are not sufficiently understood so far, but nonbiased, systemic approaches can yield new clues to develop targeted therapies. Here, we applied a genome-wide transcriptome analysis to determine the early cardiac response to DXR in a model characterized earlier, that is, rat heart perfusion with 2 muM DXR, leading to only mild cardiac dysfunction. Single-gene and gene set enrichment analysis of DNA microarrays yielded robust data on cardiac transcriptional reprogramming, including novel DXR-responsive pathways. Main characteristics of transcriptional reprogramming were 1) selective upregulation of individual genes or gene sets together with widespread downregulation of gene expression; 2) repression of numerous transcripts involved in cardiac stress response and stress signaling; 3) modulation of genes with cardiac remodeling capacity; 4) upregulation of "energy-related" pathways; and 5) similarities to the transcriptional response of cancer cells. Some early responses like the induction of glycolytic and Krebs cycle genes may have compensatory function. Only minor changes in the cardiac energy status or the respiratory activity of permeabilized cardiac fibers have been observed. Other responses potentially contribute to acute and also chronic toxicity, in particular, those in stress-responsive and cardiac remodeling transcripts. We propose that a blunted response to stress and reduced "danger signaling" is a prime component of toxic DXR action and can drive cardiac cells into pathology.

Radioresistance of Stat1 over-expressing tumour cells is associated with suppressed apoptotic response to cytotoxic agents and increased IL6-IL8 signalling

PURPOSE

To determine the mechanisms of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (Stat1)-associated radioresistance developed by nu61 tumour selected in vivo by fractionated irradiation of the parental radiosensitive tumour SCC61.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radioresistence of nu61 and SCC61 in vitro was measured by clonogenic assay. Apoptotic response of nu61 and SCC61 cells to genotoxic stress was examined using caspase-based apoptotic assays. Co-cultivation of carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester (CFDE-SE)-labeled nu61 with un-labeled SCC61 was performed at 1:1 ratio. Production of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and soluble receptor of interleukin 6 (IL6, IL8 and sIL6R) was measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Radioresistant nu61 was also resistant to interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) and the death ligands of tumour necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNFR) family when compared to SCC61. This combined resistance is due to an impaired apoptotic response in nu61. Relative to SCC61, nu61 produced more IL6, IL8 and sIL6R. Using Stat1 knock-downs we demonstrated that IL6 and IL8 production is Stat1-dependent. Treatment with neutralising antibodies to IL6 and IL8, but not to either cytokine alone sensitised nu61 to genotoxic stress induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Nu61, which over-expresses Stat1 pathway, is deficient in apoptotic response to ionising radiation and cytotoxic ligands. This resistance to apoptosis is associated with Stat1-dependent production of IL6 and IL8 and suppression of caspases 8, 9 and 3.

Prognosis in pediatric hematologic malignancies is associated with serum concentration of mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2)

BACKGROUND

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and MBL-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) are key components of the lectin pathway of complement activation. Their serum concentrations show a wide interindividual variability. This study investigated whether the concentration of MBL and MASP-2 is associated with prognosis in pediatric patients with cancer.

METHODS

In this retrospective multicenter study, MBL and MASP-2 were measured by commercially available ELISA in frozen remnants of serum taken at diagnosis. Associations of overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) with MBL and MASP-2 were assessed by multivariate Cox regression accounting for prognostically relevant clinical variables.

RESULTS

In the 372 patients studied, median serum concentration of MBL was 2,808 microg/L (range, 2-10,060) and 391 microg/L (46-2,771) for MASP-2. The estimated 4-year EFS was 0.60 (OS, 0.78). In the entire, heterogeneous sample, MBL and MASP-2 were not significantly associated with OS or EFS. In patients with hematologic malignancies, however, higher MASP-2 was associated with better EFS in a significant and clinically relevant way (hazard ratio per tenfold increase (HR), 0.22; 95% CI, 0.09-0.54; P = 0.001). This was due to patients with lymphoma (HR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.47; P = 0.003), but less for those with acute leukemia (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.11-1.15; P = 0.083).

CONCLUSION

In this study, higher MASP-2 was associated with better EFS in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies, especially lymphoma. Whether MASP-2 is an independent prognostic factor affecting risk stratification and anticancer therapy needs to be assessed in prospective, disease-specific studies.

Immuno-modulatory effects of relaxation training and guided imagery in women with locally advanced breast cancer undergoing multimodality therapy: a randomised controlled trial

Eighty women undergoing multimodality treatment for large (>4cm) or locally advanced (T3, T4, Tx, N2), breast cancers participated in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the immuno-modulatory effects of relaxation training and guided imagery. Patients underwent chemotherapy followed by surgery, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy. Those in the intervention group were taught relaxation and guided imagery. Patients kept diaries of the frequency of relaxation practice and imagery vividness. On 10 occasions during the 37 weeks following the diagnosis, blood was taken for immunological assays CD phenotyping: T cell subsets (helper, cytotoxic), natural killer (NK) and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells, B lymphocytes and monocytes; cytotoxicity: NK and LAK cell activities; cytokines interleukin 1 beta (1beta), 2, 4 and 6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha. Significant between-group differences were found in the number of CD25+ (activated T cells) and CD56+ (LAK cell) subsets. The number of CD3+ (mature) T cells was significantly higher following chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in patients randomised to relaxation and guided imagery. Using a median split, women who rated their imagery ratings highly had elevated levels of NK cell activity at the end of chemotherapy and at follow-up. Significant correlations were obtained between imagery ratings and baseline corrected values for NK and LAK cell activity, and IL1beta. Relaxation frequency correlated with the number of CD4+ (T helper) cells, the CD4+:8+ (helper:cytotoxic) ratio, and IL1beta levels. Relaxation training and guided imagery beneficially altered putative anti-cancer host defences during and after multimodality therapy. Such changes, to the best of our knowledge, have not been previously documented in a RCT.