Childhood cancer research in Oxford II: The Childhood Cancer Research Group

Hypothalamic obesity: from basic mechanisms to clinical perspectives

Despite the diverse nature of obesity, there is compelling genetic, clinical, and experimental evidence that endorses the important contribution of brain circuits to this condition. The hypothalamus contains major regulatory circuits for bodyweight homoeostasis, the deregulation of which can lead to obesity. Although functional perturbation of hypothalamic pathways could lie at the basis of common forms of obesity, the term hypothalamic obesity has been created to define those rare forms of severe obesity where a clear hypothalamic substrate can be identified, either of genetic or acquired origin. An in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and therapeutic targets of hypothalamic obesity relies on the comprehension of the physiological basis of hypothalamic pathways governing bodyweight control, the mechanisms (either genetic or acquired) whereby they are perturbed, and the consequences of such perturbation. In this Review, we provide a synoptic overview of hypothalamic obesity, from basic mechanisms to clinical perspectives, with a major focus on current developments and new avenues for the diagnosis and precise treatment of these rare forms of obesity.

The truth will out: a reflection on the life and times of Alice Stewart

CONCLUSIONS

Dr Alice Stewart's research was pioneering, fundamental and challenging, and is now widely accepted.

Tumors of the orofacial zone in children and adolescents (literature review)

Relevance. The relevance of the literature review presented by the authors is due to the diversity and complexity of the differential diagnosis of tumors of the orofacial zone in children and adolescents. Against the background of the absolute predominance of benign neoplasms, about 10-20% falls on the share of malignant neoplasms in this area. In this regard, polyclinic specialists often do not show sufficient oncological alertness, which leads to an unjustified lengthening of the diagnostic period and late diagnosis of malignant neoplasms.

The purpose of the literature review is to discuss the results of studies on the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features of the tumor process in the orofacial zone in children and adolescents.

Materials and methods. The searching of publications on the subject of the review were performed in the databases: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/, https://elibrary.ru/cit_title_items.asp, https://www.researchgate.net/, https://elibrary.ru/. The authors describe the clinical manifestations of tumors depending on the location of the lesion and histological affiliation. The initial symptoms of both malignant and benign neoplasms are often nonspecific. Prevailing benign neoplasms can only be treated by surgery. Much less often in children and adolescents, malignant neoplasms are also found: squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and others, which are treated in accordance with the principles of complex / combined anticancer therapy, including courses to minimize the amount of rehabilitation.

 

Results. Timely diagnosis and prevention of the development of neoplasms in the orofacial area can reduce the severity of morphological and functional disorders in children and adolescents. Despite the use of effective methods of surgical or combination therapy, many need rehabilitation measures.

Conclusions. The optimal position of a pediatrician, therapist, dentist, or surgeon at the stage of tumor diagnosis should be the implementation of oncological alertness, which implies an active approach without long-term "dynamic observation" of patients. Oncological alertness, especially among dentists, will improve the results of antitumor therapy in patients with Orofacial tumors.

Case-control study of paternal occupational exposures and childhood bone tumours and soft-tissue sarcomas in Great Britain, 1962-2010

BACKGROUND

This nationwide study investigated associations between paternal occupational exposure and childhood bone tumours and soft- tissue sarcomas.

METHODS

The UK National Registry of Childhood Tumours provided cases of childhood sarcomas born and diagnosed in Great Britain, 1962-2010. Control births, unaffected by childhood cancer, were matched on sex, birth period and birth registration sub-district. Fathers' occupations were assigned to one or more of 33 exposure groups and coded for occupational social class.

RESULTS

We analysed 5,369 childhood sarcoma cases and 5380 controls. Total bone tumours, total soft-tissue sarcomas and the subgroups osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumours (ESFT) were considered separately. Significant positive associations were seen between rhabdomyosarcoma and paternal exposure to EMFs (odds ratio = 1.67, CI = 1.22-2.28) and also for ESFT and textile dust (1.93, 1.01-3.63). There were putative protective effects on total bone tumours of paternal dermal exposure to hydrocarbons, metal, metal working or oil mists.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the large size and freedom from bias of this study, our results should be interpreted with caution. Many significance tests were undertaken, and chance findings are to be expected. Nevertheless, our finding of associations between ESFT and paternal exposure to textile dust may support related suggestions in the literature.

Case-control study of paternal occupational exposures and childhood lymphoma in Great Britain, 1962-2010

BACKGROUND

This nationwide study investigates associations between paternal occupational exposure and childhood lymphoma.

METHODS

The UK National Registry of Childhood Tumours provided cases of childhood lymphoma born and diagnosed in Great Britain 1962-2010. Control births, unaffected by childhood cancer, were matched on sex, birth period and birth registration sub-district. Fathers' occupations were assigned to one or more of 33 exposure groups and also coded for occupational social class.

RESULTS

We analysed 5033 childhood lymphoma cases and 4990 controls. Total lymphoma and the subgroups Hodgkin, Burkitt and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were considered separately. No one exposure was significantly associated with increased risk within all subgroups and for total lymphoma. However, exposure to "ceramics and glass" was significantly associated with increased risk of total lymphoma, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Paternal lead exposure was associated with Burkitt lymphoma and exposure to metal fumes was associated with Hodgkin lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides no support for previous suggestions of an association between childhood lymphoma and paternal occupational exposure to pesticides, solvents/hydrocarbons or infections potentially transmitted by father's social contacts. An association with exposure to "ceramics and glass" was noted for the two major lymphoma subtypes together comprising 80% of total lymphoma.

Childhood cancer research in oxford III: The work of CCRG on ionising radiation

BACKGROUND

High doses of ionising radiation are a known cause of childhood cancer and great public and professional interest attaches to possible links between childhood cancer and lower doses, particularly of man-made radiation. This paper describes work done by the Childhood Cancer Research Group (CCRG) on this topic METHODS: Most UK investigations have made use of the National Registry of Childhood Tumours and associated controls. Epidemiological investigations have included national incidence and mortality analyses, geographical investigations, record linkage and case-control studies. Dosimetric studies use biokinetic and dosimetric modelling.

RESULTS

This paper reviews the work of the CCRG on the association between exposure to ionising radiation and childhood cancer, 1975-2014.

CONCLUSION

The work of CCRG has been influential in developing understanding of the causes of 'clusters' of childhood cancer and the risks arising from exposure to ionising radiation both natural and man-made. Some clusters around nuclear installations have certainly been observed, but ionising radiation does not seem to be a plausible cause. The group's work has also been instrumental in discounting the hypothesis that paternal preconception irradiation was a cause of childhood cancers and has demonstrated an increased leukaemia risk for children exposed to higher levels of natural gamma-ray radiation.

Childhood cancer research in Oxford I: the Oxford Survey of Childhood Cancers

BACKGROUND

Significant research on the epidemiology and natural history of childhood cancer took place in the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham over sixty years. This is the first of three papers recording this work and describes the Oxford Survey of Childhood Cancers (OSCC), the largest case-control survey of childhood cancer ever undertaken.

METHODS

The OSCC studied deaths in Britain from 1953 to 1981. Parents were interviewed and medical records from ante-natal clinics and treatment centres were followed up and abstracted. The survey left Oxford in 1975 and was run subsequently from Birmingham. The data are now being documented and archived to make them available for future study.

RESULTS

Many papers have resulted from this survey, most notably those relating to the association first reported therein between childhood cancer and ante-natal X-raying. This paper is a historical review of the OSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of many analyses of the study, this historic data set has continuing value because of the large number of examples of some very rare tumours and the detailed clinical and family history data that are available; and also because of the possibility of carrying out new analyses to investigate emerging research issues.