Abnormal liver enzymes two years after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children: prevalence and risk factors

Late hepatic toxicity surveillance for survivors of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer: Recommendations from the international late effects of childhood cancer guideline harmonization group

BACKGROUND

Survivors of childhood, adolescent and young adult (CAYA) cancer may develop treatment-induced chronic liver disease. Surveillance guidelines can improve survivors' health outcomes. However, current recommendations vary, leading to uncertainty about optimal screening. The International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group has developed recommendations for the surveillance of late hepatotoxicity after CAYA cancer.

METHODS

Evidence-based methods based on the GRADE framework were used in guideline development. A multidisciplinary guideline panel performed systematic literature reviews, developed evidence summaries, appraised the evidence, and formulated recommendations on the basis of evidence, clinical judgement, and consideration of benefits versus the harms of the surveillance while allowing for flexibility in implementation across different health care systems.

RESULTS

The guideline strongly recommends a physical examination and measurement of serum liver enzyme concentrations (ALT, AST, gGT, ALP) once at entry into long-term follow-up for survivors treated with radiotherapy potentially exposing the liver (moderate- to high-quality evidence). For survivors treated with busulfan, thioguanine, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, dactinomycin, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), or hepatic surgery, or with a history of chronic viral hepatitis or sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, similar surveillance for late hepatotoxicity once at entry into LTFU is reasonable (low-quality evidence/expert opinion, moderate recommendation). For survivors who have undergone HSCT and/or received multiple red blood cell transfusions, surveillance for iron overload with serum ferritin is strongly recommended once at long-term follow-up entry.

CONCLUSIONS

These evidence-based, internationally-harmonized recommendations for the surveillance of late hepatic toxicity in cancer survivors can inform clinical care and guide future research of health outcomes for CAYA cancer survivors.

Hepatic late adverse effects after antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer

BACKGROUND

Survival rates have greatly improved as a result of more effective treatments for childhood cancer. Unfortunately, the improved prognosis has been accompanied by the occurrence of late, treatment-related complications. Liver complications are common during and soon after treatment for childhood cancer. However, among long-term childhood cancer survivors, the risk of hepatic late adverse effects is largely unknown. To make informed decisions about future cancer treatment and follow-up policies, it is important to know the risk of, and associated risk factors for, hepatic late adverse effects. This review is an update of a previously published Cochrane review.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate all the existing evidence on the association between antineoplastic treatment (that is, chemotherapy, radiotherapy involving the liver, surgery involving the liver and BMT) for childhood cancer and hepatic late adverse effects.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2018, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to January 2018) and Embase (1980 to January 2018). In addition, we searched reference lists of relevant articles and scanned the conference proceedings of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) (from 2005 to 2017) and American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) (from 2013 to 2018) electronically.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All studies, except case reports, case series, and studies including fewer than 10 patients that examined the association between antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer (aged 18 years or less at diagnosis) and hepatic late adverse effects (one year or more after the end of treatment).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently performed the study selection and 'risk of bias' assessment. The 'risk of bias' assessment was based on earlier checklists for observational studies. For the original version of the review, two review authors independently performed data extraction. For the update of the review, the data extraction was performed by one reviewer and checked by another reviewer.

MAIN RESULTS

Thirteen new studies were identified for the update of this review. In total, we included 33 cohort studies including 7876 participants investigating hepatic late adverse effects after antineoplastic treatment (especially chemotherapy and radiotherapy) for different types of childhood cancer, both haematological and solid malignancies. All studies had methodological limitations. The prevalence of hepatic late adverse effects, all defined in a biochemical way, varied widely, between 0% and 84.2%. Selecting studies where the outcome of hepatic late adverse effects was well-defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) above the upper limit of normal, indicating cellular liver injury, resulted in eight studies. In this subgroup, the prevalence of hepatic late adverse effects ranged from 5.8% to 52.8%, with median follow-up durations varying from three to 23 years since cancer diagnosis in studies that reported the median follow-up duration. A more stringent selection process using the outcome definition of ALT as above twice the upper limit of normal, resulted in five studies, with a prevalence ranging from 0.9% to 44.8%. One study investigated biliary tract injury, defined as gamma-glutamyltransferase (γGT) above the upper limit of normal and above twice the upper limit of normal and reported a prevalence of 5.3% and 0.9%, respectively. Three studies investigated disturbance in biliary function, defined as bilirubin above the upper limit of normal and reported prevalences ranging from 0% to 8.7%. Two studies showed that treatment with radiotherapy involving the liver (especially after a high percentage of the liver irradiated), higher BMI, and longer follow-up time or older age at evaluation increased the risk of cellular liver injury in multivariable analyses. In addition, there was some suggestion that busulfan, thioguanine, hepatic surgery, chronic viral hepatitis C, metabolic syndrome, use of statins, non-Hispanic white ethnicity, and higher alcohol intake (> 14 units per week) increase the risk of cellular liver injury in multivariable analyses. Chronic viral hepatitis was shown to increase the risk of cellular liver injury in six univariable analyses as well. Moreover, one study showed that treatment with radiotherapy involving the liver, higher BMI, higher alcohol intake (> 14 units per week), longer follow-up time, and older age at cancer diagnosis increased the risk of biliary tract injury in a multivariable analysis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of hepatic late adverse effects among studies with an adequate outcome definition varied considerably from 1% to 53%. Evidence suggests that radiotherapy involving the liver, higher BMI, chronic viral hepatitis and longer follow-up time or older age at follow-up increase the risk of hepatic late adverse effects. In addition, there may be a suggestion that busulfan, thioguanine, hepatic surgery, higher alcohol intake (>14 units per week), metabolic syndrome, use of statins, non-Hispanic white ethnicity, and older age at cancer diagnosis increase the risk of hepatic late adverse effects. High-quality studies are needed to evaluate the effects of different therapy doses, time trends, and associated risk factors after antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer.

Characteristics and risk of chronic graft-versus-host disease of liver in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGvHD) is a serious complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Among various organ-specific cGvHD, the cGvHD of liver is less well-characterized. In this study, we applied the National Institutes of Health 2014 scoring criteria of cGvHD to analyze a retrospective cohort of 362 allo-HSCT recipients focusing on cGvHD of liver. The overall incidence of liver cGvHD with a score of 3 by 1.5 years post-transplant was 5.8% (21/362). Poor outcome, in terms of overall survival (OS), were observed in patients with scores of 3 liver cGvHD, comparing to those with scores less than 3 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.037, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.123-3.696, P = 0.019). In multivariate analysis, male gender (HR 4.004, P = 0.042) and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection status (HR 19.087, P < 0.001) were statistically significant risk factors for scores of 3 liver cGvHD. Our results indicate that liver cGvHD with scores of 3 has a grave prognosis following allo-HSCT, and that HCV carrier status and male are risk factors. Early recognition of this devastating complication might help in prompt immunosuppressive therapy and reducing late poor outcome.

HLA, GVHD, and parenteral nutrition are risk factors for hepatic complications in pediatric HSCT

Hepatic dysfunction is common after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the risk factors, frequency, and outcome of hepatic complications post-HSCT in children. Two hundred and thirty-seven cases of allogeneic HSCT in children were included. Data on biochemical liver function at start of HSCT, at +1, +3, +6, and +9 months, and at each subsequent yearly follow-up were extracted. Patients were stratified into groups with hepatocellular (none and mild, and moderate to severe) and hepatobiliary (none and present) dysfunction. Statistical analysis included variables such as diagnosis, age, conditioning regimen, and HLA type.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-six (66%) patients displayed hepatocellular dysfunction post-HSCT. In most cases transient, but 32% had a persistent abnormality three yr post-HSCT. Risk factors were chronic GVHD (OR 4.20, p = 0.003) and donor HLA-A*01 (OR 2.97, p = 0.02). HLA-DQB1*03 decreased the risk (OR 0.35, p = 0.02). Hepatobiliary dysfunction was less frequent (12%) but carried a poor prognosis. aGVHD grade II-IV (OR 2.7, p = 0.02) and long-term TPN (OR 3.25, p = 0.01) increased the risk.

CONCLUSION

GVHD is an important risk factor for liver dysfunction post-HSCT. Specific HLA types may also contribute as a risk factor, while others seem to have a protective effect.

Reviewing the follow-up care of pediatric patients' status post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the primary care pediatrician

BACKGROUND

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment modality for many oncologic as well as non-oncologic disorders. Although the side effects of different chemotherapy regimens have been well studied by several oncology consortiums, limited data is available regarding the late adverse effects of HSCT. Furthermore, pediatric-focused post-HSCT follow-up guidelines for primary care pediatricians do not exist.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a summary of the most common late adverse effects of HSCT and give the primary care pediatrician guidance and evidence-based information for the screening and management of this patient population.

DESIGN

The literature was searched using PubMed using keywords, including pediatric bone marrow transplant, hematopoietic stem cell transplant guidelines, pediatric bone marrow transplant guidelines, and pediatric bone marrow transplant immunizations. The most relevant articles out of the hundreds of results were reviewed.

RESULTS

Based on 9 review articles from the Pediatric Clinics of North America and 3 articles from the Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplant Journal as well as their original references, a summary of the most common late adverse effects after HSCT was constructed. Pediatric HSCT patients have a high incidence of late adverse effects, with 93% of survivors having at least 1 late adverse effect after 7 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Late adverse effects after pediatric HSCT are common and require close screening and monitoring, which can be done by the primary care provider along with the oncologist.

Long-term follow-up and management guidelines in pediatric patients after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Over the past 50 years there has been considerable progress and success in the field of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in children. In addition there has been significant improvement in transplant outcomes for both malignant and nonmalignant indications. These improved outcomes have resulted in many long-term survivors who are experiencing substantial long-term morbidities. There are limited data examining the long-term complications of transplant on the various organs. This issue is complicated by the fact that children receive their transplant at different stages of their growth and development (ie, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, and young adult). Each of these developmental stages has different sensitivities to treatment and can result in different sets of complications. We summarize the long-term side effects of allogeneic HSCT in children.

National Cancer Institute, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute/Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Consortium First International Consensus Conference on late effects after pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation: the need for pediatric-specific long-term follow-up guidelines

Existing standards for screening and management of late effects occurring in children who have undergone hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) include recommendations from pediatric cancer networks and consensus guidelines from adult-oriented transplantation societies applicable to all HCT recipients. Although these approaches have significant merit, they are not pediatric HCT-focused, and they do not address post-HCT challenges faced by children with complex nonmalignant disorders. In this article we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of current published recommendations and conclude that pediatric-specific guidelines for post-HCT screening and management would be beneficial to the long-term health of these patients and would promote late effects research in this field. Our panel of late effects experts also provides recommendations for follow-up and therapy of selected post-HCT organ and endocrine complications in pediatric patients.

Hepatic late adverse effects after antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer

BACKGROUND

Survival rates have greatly improved as a result of more effective treatments for childhood cancer. Unfortunately the improved prognosis has resulted in the occurrence of late, treatment-related complications. Liver complications are common during and soon after treatment for childhood cancer. However, among long-term childhood cancer survivors the risk of hepatic late adverse effects is largely unknown. To make informed decisions about future cancer treatment and follow-up policies it is important to know the risk of, and associated risk factors for, hepatic late adverse effects.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the existing evidence on the association between antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer and hepatic late adverse effects.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2009, Issue 2), MEDLINE (1966 to June 2009) and EMBASE (1980 to June 2009). In addition, we searched reference lists of relevant articles and conference proceedings.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All studies except case reports, case series and studies including less than 10 patients that examined the association between antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer (aged 18 years or less at diagnosis) and hepatic late adverse effects (one year or more after the end of treatment).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently performed the study selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 20 cohort studies investigating hepatic late adverse effects after antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer. All studies had methodological limitations. The prevalence of hepatic late adverse effects varied widely, between 0% and 84.2%. Selecting studies where the outcome of hepatic late adverse effects was well defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) above the upper limit of normal resulted in five studies. In this subgroup the prevalence of hepatic late adverse effects ranged from 8.0% to 52.8%, with follow-up durations varying from one to 27 years after the end of treatment. A more stringent selection process using the outcome definition of ALT as above twice the upper limit of normal resulted in three studies, with a prevalence ranging from 7.9% to 44.8%. Chronic viral hepatitis was identified as a risk factor for hepatic late adverse effects in univariate analyses. It is unclear which specific antineoplastic treatments increase the risk of hepatic late adverse effects

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of hepatic late adverse effects ranged from 7.9% to 52.8% when selecting studies with an adequate outcome definition. It has not been established which childhood cancer treatments result in hepatic late adverse effects. There is a suggestion that chronic viral hepatitis increases the risk of hepatic late adverse effects. More well-designed studies are needed to reliably evaluate the prevalence of, and risk factors for, hepatic late adverse effects after antineoplastic treatment for childhood cancer.

The burden of cure: long-term side effects following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children

Children who survive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are at risk for an inordinate number of long-term side effects. Late effects can be secondary to the underlying diagnosis for which the transplant is performed, prior treatment of the disease, the transplant preparative regimen, treatment of the complications of transplant, and immunologic interactions between the graft and the host. This article describes the risks and manifestations of the most commonly reported late effects in survivors of pediatric HSCT.