Local treatment in initially unresected non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcomas of children and adolescents: A retrospective single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Pediatric non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) are a heterogeneous group of aggressive tumors. Patients with locally advanced/initially unresected disease represent a subset of patients with unsatisfactory outcome: limited data are available on the best treatment approach, in particular regarding local therapy.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis concerned 71 patients < 21 years old with nonmetastatic, initially unresected adult-type NRSTS, treated at a referral center for pediatric sarcomas from 1990 to 2021. Patients were treated using a multimodal approach, based on the protocols adopted at the time of their diagnosis.

RESULTS

The series included a selected group of patients with unfavorable clinical characteristics, i.e., most cases had high-grade and large tumors, arising from axial sites in 61% of cases. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 58 (82%) had delayed surgery (R0 in 45 cases), and 50 (70%) had radiotherapy. Partial response to chemotherapy was observed in 46% of cases. With a median follow-up of 152 months (range, 18-233), 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 39.9% and 56.5%, respectively. Survival was significantly better for patients who responded to chemotherapy, and those who had a delayed R0 resection. Local relapse at 5 years was 7.7% for patients who did not undergo delayed surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our series underscores the unsatisfactory outcome of initially unresected NRSTS patients. Improving the outcome of this patient category requires therapeutic strategies able to combine novel effective systemic therapies with a better-defined local treatment approach to offer patients the best chances to have R0 surgery.

PATZ1-Rearranged Tumors of the Central Nervous System: Characterization of a Pediatric Series of Seven Cases

PATZ1-rearranged sarcomas are well-recognized tumors as part of the family of round cell sarcoma with EWSR1-non-ETS fusions. Whether PATZ1-rearranged central nervous system (CNS) tumors are a distinct tumor type is debatable. We thoroughly characterized a pediatric series of PATZ1-rearranged CNS tumors by chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), DNA methylation analysis, gene expression profiling and, when frozen tissue is available, optical genome mapping (OGM). The series consisted of 7 cases (M:F=1.3:1, 1-17 years, median 12). On MRI, the tumors were supratentorial in close relation to the lateral ventricles (intraventricular or iuxtaventricular), preferentially located in the occipital lobe. Two major histologic groups were identified: one (4 cases) with an overall glial appearance, indicated as "neuroepithelial" (NET) by analogy with the corresponding methylation class (MC); the other (3 cases) with a predominant spindle cell sarcoma morphology, indicated as "sarcomatous" (SM). A single distinct methylation cluster encompassing both groups was identified by multidimensional scaling analysis. Despite the epigenetic homogeneity, unsupervised clustering analysis of gene expression profiles revealed 2 distinct transcriptional subgroups correlating with the histologic phenotypes. Interestingly, genes implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix composition were enriched in the subgroup associated to the SM phenotype. The combined use of CMA and OGM enabled the identification of chromosome 22 chromothripsis in all cases suitable for the analyses, explaining the physical association of PATZ1 to EWSR1 or MN1. Six patients are currently disease-free (median follow-up 30 months, range 12-92). One patient of the SM group developed spinal metastases at 26 months from diagnosis and is currently receiving multimodal therapy (42 months). Our data suggest that PATZ1-CNS tumors are defined by chromosome 22 chromothripsis as causative of PATZ1 fusion, show peculiar MRI features (eg, relation to lateral ventricles, supratentorial frequently posterior site), and, although epigenetically homogenous, encompass 2 distinct histologic and transcriptional subgroups.

Palliative sedation in paediatric solid tumour patients: choosing the best drugs

OBJECTIVES

Cancer remains the leading cause of mortality by disease in childhood in high-income countries. For terminally ill children, care focuses on quality of life, and patient management fundamentally affects grieving families. This paper describes our experience of palliative sedation (PS) for children with refractory symptoms caused by solid tumours, focusing on the drugs involved.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data on all children treated for cancer who died at the pediatric oncology unit of the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori between January 2016 and December 2020.

RESULTS

Of the 29 patients eligible for the study, all but 4 received PS. Midazolam was always used, combined in 16 cases with other drugs (mainly classic neuroleptics, alpha-2 agonists and antihistamines). Throughout the period of PS and on the day of death, patients with sarcoma were given higher doses of midazolam and morphine, and more often received combinations of drugs than patients with brain tumours. Sarcoma causes significant symptoms, while brain tumours require less intensive analgesic-sedative therapies because they already impair a patient's state of consciousness.

CONCLUSIONS

Optimising pharmacological treatments demands a medical team that knows how drugs (often developed for other indications) work. Emotional and relational aspects are important too, and any action to lower a patient's consciousness should be explained to the family and justified. Parents should not feel like helpless witnesses. Guidelines on PS in paediatrics could help, providing they acknowledge that a child's death is always a unique case.

End-of-Life transfusion support at hospice and pediatric oncology unit: Bridging the gap between benefits and therapeutic alliance

OBJECTIVES

Although transfusion support is commonly used in oncological palliative care, there is still a paucity of literature. We examined the transfusion support provided in the terminal stage of the disease and compared the approach at a pediatric oncology unit and a pediatric hospice.

CASE DESCRIPTION

This case series analyzed patients treated at the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano (INT)'s pediatric oncology unit who died between January 2018 and April 2022. We compared these with those who died at the VIDAS hospice and analyzed the number of complete blood counts taken in a patient's last 14 days of life, and the number of transfusions performed in the same period.We analyzed 44 patients (22 in pediatric oncology unit; 22 in hospice) in total. Twenty-eight complete blood counts were performed (7/22 patients at the hospice; 21/22 patients at the pediatric oncology unit). Nine patients were given transfusions, three at the hospice, six at our pediatric oncology unit (24 transfusions in total): 20 transfusions at the pediatric oncology unit, four at the hospice. In total 17/44 patients were given active therapies in the last 14 days of life: 13 at the pediatric oncology unit, four at the pediatric hospice. Ongoing cancer treatments did not correlate with a greater likelihood of receiving a transfusion (p=0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

The hospice's approach was more conservative than the pediatric oncology one. In the in-hospital setting, the need for a transfusion cannot always be decided on by a combination of numerical values and parameters alone. The family's emotional-relational response must be considered too.

Treating secondary malignant neoplasms: A burden of childhood cancer survivors

Each year approximately 35,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in Europe. Five-year survival rates have improved and now reach 80% in most European countries, thanks to a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. To date, there are more than 44,000 Italians still living several years after being diagnosed with cancer in developmental age. The risk of premature morbidity and mortality for cancer survivors is well known and documented. Approximately 60% of survivors of cancer in childhood and adolescence have at least one chronic health condition in later life, and more than one in four develop severe or life-threatening disorders. Among the various long-term iatrogenic sequelae of cancer treatments, the most worrisome are second malignant neoplasms. We reported on our mono-institutional experiences of screening and treating secondary breast cancer, secondary thyroid cancer and secondary osteosarcoma. Recommendations on the surveillance needed for cancer survivors because of the risk of late effects of their disease or its treatment suggest that discussing the potential problems early on can be crucial to a patient's future health. These considerations and our consolidated experience strengthen our conviction that survivors of cancer in childhood and adolescence who develop second malignant neoplasms should be treated at highly-specialized centers. Multidisciplinary care requires close communications and high levels of up-to-date professional expertise. This challenging area of health care is also changing rapidly because cancer survivorship is a work in progress, but we cannot wait for definitive conclusions on many aspects because this will take decades, especially for pediatric patients.

Optimizing reirradiation for relapsed medulloblastoma: identifying the ideal patient and tumor profiles

BACKGROUND

First-line therapies for medulloblastoma(MBL) are obtaining higher survival-rates while decreasing late-effects, but treatment at relapse is not standardized. We report here the experience with MBL re-irradiation(re-RT), its timing and outcome in different clinical settings and tumor groups.

METHODS

Patient's staging/treatment at diagnosis, histotypes/molecular subgroups, relapse site/s, re-treatments outcome are reported.

RESULTS

25 patients were included, with a median age of 11.4 years; 8 had metastases. According to 2016-2021 WHO-classification, 14 had SHH subgroup tumors(six TP53 mutated,one + MYC,one + NMYC amplification), 11 non-WNT/non-SHH (two with MYC/MYCN amplification).Thirteen had received HART-CSI, 11 standard-CSI, one HFRT; all post-radiation chemotherapy(CT), 16 also pre-RT. Median time to relapse (local-LR in nine, distant-DR in 14, LR + DR in two) was 26 months. Fourteen patients were re-operated, in five cases excising single DR-sites, thereafter three received CT, two after re-RT; out of 11 patients not re-operated, four had re-RT as first treatment and seven after CT. Re-RT was administered at median 32 months after first RT: focally in 20 cases, craniospinal-CSI in five. Median post-relapse-PFS/after re-RT was 16.7/8.2 months, while overall survival-OS was 35.1/23.9 months, respectively. Metastatic status both at diagnosis/relapse negatively affected outcome and re-surgery was prognostically favorable. PD after re-RT was however significantly more frequent in SHH (with a suggestive association with TP53 mutation, p = 0.050). We did not observe any influence of biological subgroups on PFS from recurrence while SHH showed apparently worse OS compared to non-WNT/non-SHH group.

CONCLUSIONS

Re-surgery + reRT can prolong survival; a substantial fraction of patients with worse outcome belongs to the SHH-subgroup.

Pediatric cancer care management during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review of the literature and a single-centre real-life experience of an Italian pediatric oncology unit

INTRODUCTION

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 pandemic significantly affected clinical practice, also in pediatric oncology units. Cancer patients needed to be treated with an adequate dose density despite the SARS-CoV-2 infection, balancing risks of developing severe COVID-19 disease.

AREAS COVERED

Although the pandemic spread worldwide, the prevalence of affected children was low. The percentage of children with severe illness was approximately 1-6%. Pediatric cancer patients represent a prototype of a previously healthy immune system that is hampered by the tumor itself and treatments, such as chemotherapy and steroids. Through a review of the literature, we reported the immunological basis of the response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, the existing antiviral treatments used in pediatric cancer patients, and the importance of vaccination. In conclusion, we reported the real-life experience of our pediatric oncology unit during the pandemic period.

EXPERT OPINION

Starting from the data available in literature, and our experience, showing the rarity of severe COVID-19 disease in pediatric patients with solid tumors, we recommend carefully tailoring all the oncological treatments (chemotherapy/targeted therapy/stem cell transplantation/radiotherapy). The aim is the preservation of the treatment's timing, balanced with an evaluation of possible severe COVID-19 disease.

Pediatric gray zone lymphoma according to the 2022 WHO classification: An Italian cohort study

BACKGROUND

The 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) classification redefines the concept of gray zone lymphoma (GZL), restricting it in practice to cases of mediastinal/thymic origin (mediastinal gray zone lymphoma, MGZL) with overlapping features between primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL). Cases with histological characteristics of GZL but occurring without mediastinal involvement are better classified as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL NOS), with few exceptions.

PROCEDURE

We collected clinical and pathological data about all Italian pediatric patients diagnosed with GZL over a 20-year period.

RESULTS

We identified only four cases of bona fide MGZL. All patients were adolescent and presented with a mediastinal disease, always associated with other nodal involvement. B symptoms and increased levels of both erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were observed. Only two patients achieved a first complete remission, suggesting a more aggressive clinical behavior than either PMBCL or CHL.

CONCLUSION

Prospective studies evaluating prognostic factors and establishing the most effective first-line therapy for MGZL are highly needed.

Relapse after non-metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma: The impact of routine surveillance imaging on early detection and post-relapse survival

BACKGROUND

Patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) whose disease relapses have little chance of being cured, so front-line treatments are usually followed up with surveillance imaging in an effort to detect any recurrences as early as possible, and thereby improve post-relapse outcomes. The real benefit of such routine surveillance imaging in RMS remains to be demonstrated, however. This retrospective, single-center study examines how well surveillance imaging identifies recurrent tumors and its impact on post-relapse survival.

METHODS

The analysis concerned 79 patients <21 years old treated between 1985 and 2020 whose initially localized RMS relapsed. Clinical findings, treatment modalities, and survival were analyzed, comparing patients whose relapse was first suspected from symptoms they developed (clinical symptoms group) with those whose relapse was identified by radiological surveillance (routine imaging group).

RESULTS

Tumor relapses came to light because of clinical symptoms in 42 cases, and on routine imaging in 37. The time to relapse was much the same in the two groups. The median overall survival (OS) and 5-year OS rate were, respectively, 10 months and 12.6% in the clinical symptoms group, and 11 months and 27.5% in the routine imaging group (p-value .327). Among patients with favorable prognostic scores, survival was better for those in the routine imaging group (5-year OS 75.0% vs. 33.0%, p-value .047).

CONCLUSION

It remains doubtful whether surveillance imaging has any real impact on RMS relapse detection and patients' post-relapse survival. Further studies are needed to establish the most appropriate follow-up recommendations, taking the potentially negative effects of regular radiological exams into account.

Genome-wide analyses of platinum-induced ototoxicity in childhood cancer patients: Results of GO-CAT and United Kingdom MAGIC consortia

Hearing loss (ototoxicity) is a major adverse effect of cisplatin and carboplatin chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to identify novel genetic variants that play a role in platinum-induced ototoxicity. Therefore, a genome-wide association study was performed in the Genetics of Childhood Cancer Treatment (GO-CAT) cohort (n = 261) and the United Kingdom Molecular Genetics of Adverse Drug Reactions in Children Study (United Kingdom MAGIC) cohort (n = 248). Results of both cohorts were combined in a meta-analysis. In primary analysis, patients with SIOP Boston Ototoxicity Scale grade ≥1 were considered cases, and patients with grade 0 were controls. Variants with a p-value <10^-5 were replicated in previously published data by the PanCareLIFE cohort (n = 390). No genome-wide significant associations were found, but variants in TSPAN5, RBBP4P5, AC010090.1 and RNU6-38P were suggestively associated with platinum-induced ototoxicity. The lowest p-value was found for rs7671702 in TSPAN5 (odds ratio 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.5-2.7), p-value 5.0 × 10^-7). None of the associations were significant in the replication cohort, although the effect directions were consistent among all cohorts. Validation and functional understanding of these genetic variants could lead to more insights in the development of platinum-induced ototoxicity.

Relapse after nonmetastatic rhabdomyosarcoma: Salvage rates and prognostic variables

BACKGROUND

Patients with relapsing rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) pose a therapeutic challenge, and the survival rate is reportedly poor. We describe a retrospective series of relapsing RMS patients treated at a referral center for pediatric sarcoma, investigating the pattern of relapse, salvage rates, and factors correlating with final outcomes.

METHODS

The analysis concerned 105 patients <21 years old treated from 1985 to 2020 with initially localized RMS at first relapse. For risk-adapted stratification purposes, patient outcomes were examined using univariable and multivariable analyses based on patients' clinical features at first diagnosis, first-line treatments, clinical findings at first relapse, and second-line treatments.

RESULTS

First relapses occurred 0.08-4.8 years (median 1 year) following initial diagnosis and were local/locoregional in 59% of cases. Treatment at first relapse included chemotherapy in all but two cases, radiotherapy in 38, and surgery in 21. Median event-free survival (EFS) after first relapse was 4 months, while 5-year EFS was 16.3%; median overall survival (OS) was 9 months, while 5-year OS was 16.7%. Several variables influenced survival rates. Considering only clinical findings and treatment at relapse, Cox's multivariable analysis showed that OS correlated significantly with time to relapse, radiotherapy administered at relapse, response to chemotherapy, and whether a second remission was achieved.

CONCLUSION

Survival following first relapse of patients with localized RMS at initial diagnosis is poor. The variables found to influence survival can be utilized in a risk-adapted model to estimate the chances of salvage to guide decisions for second-line treatments.

Brentuximab vedotin in the treatment of paediatric patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma: Results of a real-life study

BACKGROUND

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is an antibody drug-conjugated anti-CD30 approved for the treatment of adult classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), whereas it is considered as off-label indication in paediatrics. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BV to treat patients aged less than 18 years with refractory/relapsed HL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this multicentre, retrospective study, 68 paediatric patients who received at least one dose of BV between November 2011 and August 2020 were enrolled. A median of nine doses of BV were administered as monotherapy (n = 31) or combined with other therapies (n = 37). BV was administrated alone as consolidation therapy after stem cell transplantation (SCT) in 12 patients, before SCT in 18 patients, whereas in 15 patients it was used before and after SCT as consolidation therapy. Median follow-up was 2.8 years (range: 0.6-8.9 years).

RESULTS

The best response was observed in the 86% of patients; the overall response rate was 66%. The 3-year progression-free survival was 58%, whereas the overall survival was 75%. No statistically significant differences between patients treated with BV monotherapy or combination were highlighted. In multivariate analysis, patients with non-nodular sclerosis HL and not transplanted had an increased risk of failure. Overall, 46% of patients had grade 3-4 adverse events that led to BV discontinuation in five of them.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study confirms that BV was a safe and effective drug, able to induce complete remission, either as monotherapy or in association with standard therapy.

How ten-years of reirradiation for paediatric high-grade glioma may shed light on first line treatment

PURPOSE

Recurrence incidence for paediatric/adolescent high-grade glioma (HGG) exceeds 80%. Reirradiation (reRT) palliates symptoms and delays further progression. Strategies for reRT are scarce: we retrospectively analysed our series to develop rational future approaches.

METHODS

We re-evaluated MRI + RT plans of 21 relapsed HGG-patients, accrued 2010-2021, aged under 18 years. All underwent surgery and RT + chemotherapy at diagnosis. Pathologic/molecular re-evaluation allowed classification based on WHO 2021 criteria in 20/21 patients. Survival analyses and association with clinical parameters were performed.

RESULTS

Relapse after 1st RT was local in 12 (7 marginal), 4 disseminated, 5 local + disseminated. Re-RT obtained 8 SD, 1 PR, 1PsPD, 1 mixed response, 10 PD; neurological signs/symptoms improved in 8. Local reRT was given to 12, followed again by 6 local (2 marginal) and 4 local + disseminated second relapses in 10/12 re-evaluated. The 4 with dissemination had 1 whole brain, 2 craniospinal irradiation (CSI), 1 spine reRT and further relapsed with dissemination and local + dissemination in 3/four assessed. Five local + disseminated tumours had 3 CSI, 1 spine reRT, further progressing locally (2), disseminated (1), n.a. (1). Three had a third RT; three were alive at 19.4, 29, 50.3 months after diagnosis. Median times to progression/survival after re-RT were 3.7 months (0.6-16.2 months)/6.9 months (0.6-17.9 months), improved for longer interval between 1st RT and re-RT (P = 0.017) and for non-PD after reRT (P < 0.001). First marginal relapse showed potential association with dissemination after re-RT (P = 0.081).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the biggest series of re-RT in paediatric HGG. Considering the dissemination observed at relapse, our results could prompt the investigation of different first RT fields in a randomized trial.

Posterior fossa syndrome in a population of children and young adults with medulloblastoma: a retrospective, multicenter Italian study on incidence and pathophysiology in a histologically homogeneous and consecutive series of 136 patients

INTRODUCTION

Posterior fossa syndrome (PFS) is a set of debilitating complications that can occur after surgery for posterior fossa tumors. This study aimed to assess the preoperative radiological and surgical risk factors for the onset of PFS in a histologically homogeneous population of children with medulloblastoma and compare it to a similar population of young adults.

METHODS

Included patients underwent posterior fossa surgery for medulloblastoma at 11 Italian neurosurgical wards (2003-2019) and were referred to Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan (INT) for postoperative treatments. We collected patients' pre- and post-operative clinical, surgical and radiological data from the INT charts. To compare the distribution of variables, we used the Mann-Whitney and Fisher tests for continuous and categorical variables, respectively.

RESULTS

136 patients (109 children and 27 young adults) were included in the study. Among children, 29 (27%) developed PFS, and all of them had tumors at midline site with invasion of the fourth ventricle. Radiological evidence of involvement of the right superior (39% versus 12%; p = 0.011) or middle cerebellar peduncles (52% versus 18%; p = 0.002) seemed more common in children who developed PFS. Young adults showed an expected lower incidence of PFS (4 out of 27; 15%), that may be due to anatomical, physiological and oncological elements.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed some factors known to be associated with PFS onset and shed light on other debated issues. Our findings enhance an already hypothesized role of cerebellar language lateralization. The analysis of a population of young adults may shed more light on the often-neglected existence of PFS in non-pediatric patients.

A homogeneous treatment for non-DIPG diffuse midline glioma

INTRODUCTION

The H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma (DMG) was first included in the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors in 2016, and confirmed in its fifth edition. The biological behavior and dismal prognosis of this tumor resemble diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG). Homogeneously-treated series are rarely reported.

METHODS

From 2016 onwards, we treated patients with DMG with radiotherapy and concomitant/adjuvant nimotuzumab/vinorelbine, plus re-irradiation at relapse, as already done for DIPG.

RESULTS

We treated nine patients, seven females, with a median age at diagnosis of 13 years. Tumor sites were: thalamic in five cases, pontocerebellar in two, pineal in one, and paratrigonal with nodular/leptomeningeal dissemination in one. Three patients were biopsied, and six had partial tumor resections. Central pathological review was always performed. The median time to local progression was 12.7 months, and the median overall survival was 17.8 months. Six patients died of tumor progression, one of cerebral bleeding at progression. Two were alive, one in continuous remission, the other after relapsing, at 38.6 and 46.3 months after diagnosis. Progression-free survival was 33.3% at one year. Overall survival was 88.9%, 33.3% and 22.2% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a small series of homogeneously-treated DMG patients. The results obtained are comparable with those of DIPG patients. Given the phenotypically- and molecularly-defined setting of DMG and severe outcome in this orphan population, they should be treated and included in registries and protocols of DIPG.

HGG-11. Clinical characteristics and clinical evolution of a large cohort of pediatric patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors and tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) fusion

BACKGROUND: TRK fusions are detected in less than 3% of CNS tumors. Given their rarity, there are limited data on the clinical course of these patients. METHODS: We contacted 166 oncology centers worldwide to retrieve data on patients with TRK fusion-driven CNS tumors. Data extracted included demographics, histopathology, NTRK gene fusion, treatment modalities and outcomes. Patients less than 18 years of age at diagnosis were included in this analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-three pediatric patients with TRK fusion-driven primary CNS tumors were identified. Median age at diagnosis was 2.4 years (range 0.0–17.8) and 60.2 % were male. NTRK2 gene fusions were found in 37 patients (50.7%), NTRK1 and NTRK3 aberrations were detected in 19 (26.0%) and 17 (23.3%), respectively. Tumor types included 38 high-grade gliomas (HGG; 52.1%), 20 low-grade gliomas (LGG; 27.4%), 4 embryonal tumors (5.5%) and 11 others (15.1%). Median follow-up was 46.5 months (range 3-226). During the course of their disease, a total of 62 (84.9%) patients underwent surgery with a treatment intent, 50 (68.5%) patients received chemotherapy, 35 (47.9%) patients received radiation therapy, while 34 (46.6%) patients received NTRK inhibitors (3 as first line treatment). Twenty-four (32.9%) had no progression including 9 LGG (45%) and 9 HGG (23.6%). At last follow-up, only one (5.6%-18 evaluable) patient with LGG died compared to 11 with HGG (35.5%-31 evaluable). For LGG the median progression-free survival (PFS) after the first line of treatment was 17 months (95% CI: 0.0-35.5) and median overall survival (OS) was not reached. For patients with HGG the median PFS was 30 months (95% CI: 11.9-48.1) and median OS was 182 months (95% CI 20.2-343.8). CONCLUSIONS: We report the largest cohort of pediatric patients with TRK fusion-driven primary CNS tumors. These results will help us to better understand clinical evolution and compare outcomes with ongoing clinical trials.

DIPG-64. Feasibility and early results of radiotherapy, concomitant nimotuzumab and vinorelbine and re-irradiation at progression, for newly diagnosed childhood and adolescence diffuse midline glioma (DMG)

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this trial were evaluating the feasibility, response and PFS/OS of patients receiving upfront radiotherapy and reirradiation at progression with concomitant nimotuzumab/vinorelbine chemotherapy as the standard arm of the ongoing protocol for DIPG. METHODS: Patients aged 2-21 years with not-pretreated DMG (evidence of H3.3K27M mutation at immunohistochemistry) received vinorelbine 20 mg/m2+nimotuzumab 150 mg/m2 weekly for 12 weeks; thereafter every other week until tumor progression or for up to 2 years. Focal photons irradiation was delivered within the 3rd week after first nimotuzumab+vinorelbine administration with a total dose of 54 Gy in 1.8 Gy daily fractions. For local progression re-irradiation was proposed at 19.8 Gy; in case of dissemination craniospinal-irradiation at 36 Gy was adopted. MRI were blindly centrally reviewed at diagnosis and every 12 weeks thereafter. RESULTS: Aggregated preliminary results are available for 20 patients from 4 Italian centers: 12 males, median age 11 years (range 3-17). Median time of observation was 12.5 months; 8 had thalamic/basal ganglia disease, in 5 pons was involved (2 pontobulbar, 3 pontomesencephalic), 6 spinal, 2 cerebellar. 13 patients had only biopsy, the others partial or near-total resection.14 relapsed: 5 locally, 4 with dissemination, 5 with both; 12 died, one was lost at follow-up. Two patients received reirradiation, one of them was irradiated three times without evidence of radionecrosis, still alive at 26 months from diagnosis. Median EFS/OS were 8.3/10.2 months, respectively; EFS/OS at 1 year were 25.8/36.7%. Survival curves between spinal and cerebral locations showed no difference. Patients after partial/near-total resection vs biopsied seemed to have earlier relapses (P 0.017) with EFS at 6 months of 34.3/75.0% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the first series of DMG homogeneously and prospectively treated; treatment was feasible. A potential role of reirradiation emerge as in DIPGs.

SWK-02. Palliative sedation in pediatric patients suffering from brain tumors: choosing the best drugs to improve end of life

INTRODUCTION: For terminally-ill children with brain tumors care focuses on quality of life, and patient management fundamentally affects grieving families. We describe our experience of palliative sedation (PS) for children with refractory symptoms caused by solid tumors, focusing on BT (brain tumor). METHODS: Retrospective data on all children treated for cancer who died between 1/2016-12/2020 in our Institution were collected. RESULTS: Of the 29 patients eligible for the study, M/F 17/12, the median duration of disease was 12.5 months(range 3-51) and the median age at death was 8.5 years(range 1-22). Fifteen had BT (5 DIPG, 2 Ependymoma, 8 high-grade-glioma). The reasons for starting PS in BT were: seizures(5), central respiratory failure(6), locked-in-syndrome(1), decerebration(1). Midazolam was combined in 16 cases with other drugs (neuroleptics, alpha-2 agonists, antihistamines) to achieve adequate sedation. Ten/15 with BT received antiepileptic therapy, apart midazolam. BT patients received oral benzodiazepins before PS less frequently than those with other cancers (p = 0.0033). Throughout the period of PS and on the day of death, patients with BT were given lower doses of midazolam and morphine. Mean dose of midazolam was 0.027 mg/kg/h (range 0.0069-0.06) for patients with BT, 0.055 mg/kg/h (range 0.01-0.38) for the others, while the mean morphine doses were 0.048 mg/kg/h (range 0-0.08) and 0.09 mg/kg/h (range 0.013-0.13), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BT patients require less intensive analgesic-sedative therapies because their already impaired state of consciousness. Optimizing pharmacological treatments demands a medical team that knows how drugs (even developed for other indications) work. Emotional-relational aspects are important too, any action to lower a patient’s consciousness should be explained to the family. Guidelines on PS in pediatrics could help, providing they acknowledge that any child’s death is always a unique case.

DIPG-04. Feasibility and early results of phase 2 open label randomized study of radiotherapy(RT), concomitant nimotuzumab and vinorelbine and re-irradiation at relapse, versus multiple elective radiotherapy courses with concomitant vinorelbine and nimotuzumab for newly diagnosed childhood and adolescence Diffuse intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this trial were to evaluate the feasibility, response, PFS/OS of a randomized study comparing two different RT schedules for DIPG while administering the same systemic treatment. METHODS: Patients: 2-21 years-old with a not-pretreated radiologically verified DIPG (MRI blindly reviewed at diagnosis and every 12 weeks thereafter) and symptoms duration below 6 months. Biopsy was required if suggested by atypical imaging. Vinorelbine 20 mg/m2+nimotuzumab 150 mg/m2 were administered weekly for 12 weeks; thereafter every other week until tumor progression or for up to 2 years. Standard(ST) arm included focal RT at total dose of 54Gy (1.8Gy/day); for local progression re-irradiation was proposed at 19.8Gy, in case of dissemination craniospinal irradiation(CSI) at 36Gy was adopted. Experimental(SP) arm included three elective courses of RT at defined timepoints at 36Gy, 19.8Gy and 19.8Gy with possible reirradiation for relapse at 9 Gy. Incidences of local(L) and distant(D) progression were assessed in a competing risk setting. RESULTS: Aggregated preliminary results are given for 4 Italian centers. 54 pts were screened and 51 included, 27 in ST, 28 males, median age 7 years (range 3-17). Median time of observation was 17.9 months. Twelve patients needed a shunt, 10 during treatment; 20 were biopsied, in 18 cases according local protocols. 19/20 tumors had H3.3 K27 mutation. 41 relapsed, 28 locally, 13 with a component of dissemination. 36 died, one for tracheotomy bleeding. SP irradiation was feasible and never produced significant radionecrosis. Median EFS/OS were 7.3/12.9 months, respectively; EFS/OS at 1 year were 19.0%/57.3%, not differing between patients with local vs. disseminated relapses. Patients submitted to biopsies had more dissemination (P=0.04) and less local progression (P=0.077). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment was feasible and OS confirmed previous results obtained in a single center. Randomization results will be later reported.

HGG-49. Gliomatosis cerebri in children: A collaborative report from the European Society for Pediatric Oncology (SIOPE)

BACKGROUND: Gliomatosis cerebri (GC), a radiologically defined diffusely infiltrating glioma, is no longer considered a distinct entity since the 2016 WHO classification for tumors of the CNS. Due to its rarity and dismal prognosis treatment recommendations in children remain ambiguous. Using central neuroradiological review, we performed a multi-institutional, retrospective study of GC providing comprehensive radiological, clinical, and (epi)genetic characterization. RESULTS: We included 104 patients between 1-19 years. Within a median follow-up of 15.5 months (range, 2.3-138.8), 93 patients (89.4 %) had died, 4 (3.8 %) were lost to follow-up and 7 (6.8 %) were alive with stable/progressive disease. Median progression-free- (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 8.6 months (interquartile range, 4.3-14.0) and 15.5 months (10.9-27.7), respectively. Former WHO grading correlated significantly with median OS: WHO °II: 47.8 months (25.2-55.7); WHO °III: 15.9 months (11.4-26.3); WHO °IV: 10.4 months (8.8-14.4) (p&lt;0.001). In high-grade gliomas (HGG), radiochemotherapy showed best PFS (p=0.002). Compared to hemispheric pediatric non-GC HGG, GC phenotype was associated with decreased OS (p=0.001). Methylation-based classification and exome sequencing were possible for 49 and 45 patients, respectively. According to the 2021 WHO classification, most cases were considered as IDH-/H3-wildtype gliomas (n=37/49, 75.5 %), mostly with a pedRTK2 subtype (n=15, 30.6%), followed by pedMYCN (n=5, 10.2 %). Within the IDH-/H3-wildtype gliomas, EGFR-altered tumors (n=10) seemed overrepresented. Survival analyses revealed a better OS for IDH1-mutant tumors (n=6; 54.6 vs. 15.2 months in IDH-wildtype; p=0.015) and a worse OS for TP53-mutant tumors (n=6; p=0.001). Despite the potential overrepresentation of EGFR-altered tumors, no other specific molecular markers for GC could be identified so far. Further analyses are ongoing. CONCLUSIONS: GC in children is confirmed as a poor prognostic phenotype include various epigenetic pediatric glioma subtypes, without a proven (epi)genetic mark of its own. The relevance of overrepresented EGFR alterations has to be determined yet.

MEDB-75. Treatment-induced pulmonary toxicity in patients with medulloblastoma: a retrospective analysis on 2 Italian institutions’ cohorts

BACKGROUND: Incidence of iatrogenic pulmonary toxicity is around 20%. Apart from bleomycin fibrosis, the role of lomustine, HD-thiotepa, autologous stem-cells transplantation(APBSCT) and their synergy with craniospinal irradiation(CSI) are unclear. To elucidate their role in lung-function impairment, we retrospectively evaluated 39 medulloblastoma patients treated at INT-Milan and OPBG-Rome. METHODS: 39 patients (17 females, median RT age 8 years) treated for localized(29) or metastatic(10) medulloblastoma in 2000-2020 and with spirometric assessment, were considered. Treatment included: SIOP-like-PNET IV(19), high-risk protocol(19), infant protocol without RT(1). CSI doses were: 23.4Gy(20), 31.2Gy(8), 36Gy(6) and 39Gy(4); 4 received protons and 34 photons(9 VMAT, 25 3D), 11 hyperfractionated-accelerated-RT; 33 had 6 median CCNU cycles; 6 APBSCT. RESULTS: Median follow-up: 98 months. All patients performed at least one spirometry at median 5 years after RT. Eight (20.6%) had mildly pathological spirometries, 8 Forced Vital Capacity (FVC%)<90%. RT age was not associated with FVC%/ PEF% (p=0.319 and 0.405). A lower Peak Expiratory Flow(PEF%) was marginally associated to APBSCT group (p=0.062) with FVC%(≤90% vs >90%) similar but less significant(p=0.163). Median FVC%/PEF% were higher in the CCNU-group without reaching significance (p=0.436 and 0.062): this was a standard-risk group not receiving APBSCT nor higher RT doses. Even though the lung volume encompassed by 5-10 Gy isodoses was greater in VMATvs3D RT(p<0.001 and p=0.015), there were no significant differences in ventilatory parameters. FVC%/PEF% were negatively associated to CSI dose. Since no relevant lung volume is involved in high doses, a multifactorial etiology could be speculated. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data show no significant FVC%/PEF% reduction. Small sample size and differences in spirometry techniques impose larger cohorts accrual to elucidate potential treatment-induced pulmonary impairment in the pediatric population thus validating the use of spirometry during treatment/follow-up.

DIPG-36. The brain-gut-microbiota axis to predict outcome in pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

OBJECTIVE: Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a rare childhood brain tumour with poor prognosis. Radiotherapy (RT) remains the only palliative intervention. In this scenario, it is essential to investigate tumor and patient microinvironment. Microbiota plays a critical role in human health and a functional link between the central nervous system and gut microbiota has been reported: the microbiota-gut-brain axis. With these premises, we have investigated the gut microbiota in DIPG. METHODS: A cohort of 18 patients was enrolled and we collected stool specimens at diagnosis (pre-RT) and after radiotherapy. Microbiota content was analysed through 16S rRNA sequencing on IONS5xl; base calling and demultiplexing were performed by Torrent Suite (ThermoFisher). Association to progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed by cox-regression univariate analyses and differential abundance (DA) analyses identified differences following RT. RESULTS: The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio in pre-RT specimens has a median of 0.757 (range= 0.243-1.19). Having PFS as endpoint and at family classification level, an increased risk of disease progression was disclosed for Flavobacteriaceae and Bacillales with HR of 1.57 (p=0.00913) and 1.57 (p=0.215), respectively. The anaerobic bacteria Synergistaceae is found related to a decreased risk of progression with HR 0.662 (p=0.00718). These findings were also confirmed with OS as endpoint. DA analyses pointed out a number of families belonging to Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla highly differentiated (log2|fold-change|>2) between pre- and post-RT. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first report of the microbiota-gut-brain axis role in DIPG patients. The F/B ratio, a parameter of normal intestinal homeostasis, show the presence of inflammatory patterns and some family members are associated to increased disease progression. These preliminary findings needs further validations. However, 16S microbiota has the potential ability to stratify patients and probiotic administration could restore a normal F/B ratio.

FIREFLY-1 (PNOC 026): A phase 2 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tovorafenib (DAY101) in pediatric patients with RAF-altered recurrent or progressive low-grade glioma or advanced solid tumors

TPS10062

Background: RAF gene fusions ( BRAF and RAF1) and BRAF V600E mutations are oncogenic drivers found on a mutually exclusive basis in most pediatric low-grade gliomas (LGGs). In addition, RAF fusions ( BRAF and RAF1) have also been identified in other pediatric solid tumors. Tovorafenib (DAY101) is an investigational, oral, highly selective, CNS-penetrant, small molecule, type II pan-RAF inhibitor. In contrast to type I BRAF inhibitors, tovorafenib does not induce RAS-dependent paradoxical activation of the MAPK pathway. In the phase 1 PNOC014 study in pediatric patients with recurrent/progressive LGG, tovorafenib was well tolerated and 7/8 patients with tumor harboring RAF fusions had meaningful clinical benefit. Recently, a child with a novel SNX8-BRAF fusion spindle cell sarcoma demonstrated a rapid and deep response when treated with tovorafenib. Methods: FIREFLY-1 (NCT04775485) is an open-label, multicenter, phase 2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of tovorafenib monotherapy in pediatric patients with RAF-altered recurrent or progressive LGG or advanced solid tumors. The initial design included only patients with LGG (arm 1). Two new arms have now been added; arm 2 will allow tovorafenib treatment for patients with LGG harboring an activating RAF alteration after completion of enrollment to arm 1 and prior to tovorafenib regulatory approval; arm 3 will enroll patients with advanced solid tumors harboring an activating RAF fusion. Eligible patients are 6 months to 25 years of age, who have received ≥1 prior line of systemic therapy with documented radiographic progression, have evaluable and/or measurable disease by appropriate criteria, a Karnofsky or Lansky performance score of at least 50, and adequate organ function. Patients are excluded if their tumor has other driver mutations, they have neurofibromatosis type 1, central serous retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, clinically significant active cardiovascular disease, or are currently being treated with a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor or inducer other than those allowed per protocol. Approximately 140 patients in total will be enrolled including 60 in arm 1, 60 in arm 2 and 20 in arm 3. Tovorafenib will be administered at 420 mg/m2 (not to exceed 600 mg) weekly (days 1, 8, 15 and 22) for 26, 28-day cycles (in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity). They may then continue tovorafenib or enter a drug holiday period. The primary endpoint is overall response rate, as defined by the RANO criteria (arm 1) or RECIST v1.1 (arm 3) and as determined by an independent radiology review committee. Secondary endpoints (arms 1 and 3) include safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics, duration of response, time to response and progression-free survival. Tovorafenib is available in tablet or liquid suspension formulations. Clinical trial information: NCT04775485.

Genome-Wide Analyses of Nephrotoxicity in Platinum-Treated Cancer Patients Identify Association with Genetic Variant in RBMS3 and Acute Kidney Injury

Nephrotoxicity is a common and dose-limiting side effect of platinum compounds, which often manifests as acute kidney injury or hypomagnesemia. This study aimed to investigate the genetic risk loci for platinum-induced nephrotoxicity. Platinum-treated brain tumor and head–neck tumor patients were genotyped with genome-wide coverage. The data regarding the patient and treatment characteristics and the laboratory results reflecting the nephrotoxicity during and after the platinum treatment were collected from the medical records. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations between the genetic variants and the acute kidney injury and hypomagnesemia phenotypes. A cohort of 195 platinum-treated patients was included, and 9,799,032 DNA variants passed the quality control. An association was identified between RBMS3 rs10663797 and acute kidney injury (coefficient −0.10 (95% confidence interval −0.13–−0.06), p-value 2.72 × 10⁻⁸). The patients who carried an AC deletion at this locus had statistically significantly lower glomerular filtration rates after platinum treatment. Previously reported associations, such as BACH2 rs4388268, could not be replicated in this study’s cohort. No statistically significant associations were identified for platinum-induced hypomagnesemia. The genetic variant in RBMS3 was not previously linked to nephrotoxicity or related traits. The validation of this study’s results in independent cohorts is needed to confirm this novel association.

Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma in children and adolescents: A retrospective series from a referral pediatric oncology center

BACKGROUND

Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma is a rare entity and less is known about its clinical behavior and optimal treatment than for its counterpart in bone. This study is a retrospective analysis on a cohort of patients <21 years treated according to a "soft tissue sarcoma approach."

METHODS

The "extraosseous" origin of the tumor was established on radiological findings, based on the lack of any bone involvement. Patients were treated using a multimodality approach including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. All patients received chemotherapy with alkylating agents and anthracyclines for 25 weeks (nine courses). Radiotherapy (45-54.8 Gy) was required for all cases except those who had an initial R0 resection of tumors smaller than 5 cm.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients (age 2-20 years, median 14) were treated from 1990 to 2020. Ten-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 77.5% and 85.5% in patients with localized disease, and 11.1% and 29.6% in those with metastatic disease (p < .001) (follow-up 5-349 months, median 107 months). In patients with localized disease, the most recent IVADo-IVE regimen achieved excellent survivals, that is, 10-year EFS 95.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that satisfactory results were achieved in patients with localized extraosseous Ewing sarcoma treated with a tailored approach derived from soft tissue sarcoma protocols, which was less intensive and shorter as compared to the standards utilized for the management of bone Ewing sarcoma. Our study suggests that the extraskeletal site might be considered as a variable to stratify patients and modulate treatment intensity accordingly in Ewing sarcoma protocol.

Managing Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Point of View and Fears of Pediatric Cancer Patients’ Families

(1) Background: When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, changes had to be made to several management aspects at our Pediatric Oncology Unit. We investigated how the families perceived these changes. (2) Methods: Two questionnaires were developed at the Pediatric Oncology Unit of the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan in order to explore how the pandemic had affected the experience of patients who had been or were being treated at our hospital, as well as their families. These questionnaires were administered to three groups of individuals. (3) Results: Between July and October 2020, 120 questionnaires were administered to parents of patients. The impact of school closures and the impossibility of attending sports and social activities outside the hospital were regarded as important, and it was reported that 77.5% of parents judged social distancing to have affected their children. Regarding the changes introduced in the management of the ward and outpatient clinic, most parents’ opinions were positive. Differences in the opinions expressed by Groups 2 and 3 were statistically significant on the topics of relationships in the ward and staff workload. The aspect most negatively affected by the pandemic was the support that patients’ parents were able to give each other. Regardless of whether patients were treated before the pandemic or after the first lockdown, all parents indicated strong degrees of satisfaction with the care received and the organizational arrangements. (4) Conclusions: The results of our study point us in the right direction to further improve our daily work and better respond to the needs of our patients and their families.

Contribution of Common and Rare Genetic Variants in CEP72 on Vincristine-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Brain Tumor Patients

Aims

Studies implicated a role for a genetic variant in CEP72 in vincristine‐induced peripheral neuropathy. This study aims to evaluate this association in a cohort of brain tumour patients, to perform a cross‐disease meta‐analysis and explore the protein‐coding region of CEP72.

Methods

In total, 104 vincristine‐treated brain tumour patients were genotyped for CEP72 rs924607, and sequenced for the protein‐coding region. Data regarding patient and treatment characteristics, and peripheral neuropathy, were collected. Logistic regression and meta‐analysis were performed for rs924607 replication. A weighted burden analysis was applied to evaluate impact of overall genetic variation in CEP72.

Results

Analysis of 24 cases and 80 controls did not show a significant association between CEP72 rs924607 and neuropathy (odds ratio, OR [95% confidence interval, CI] 2.076 [0.359–11.989], P = .414). When combined with 8 cohorts (1095 cancer patients), a significant increase in risk for neuropathy was found for patients with a TT genotype (OR [95% CI] 2.15 [1.35–3.43], P = .001). Additionally, a missense variant (rs12522955) was significantly associated (OR [95% CI] 2.3 [1.2–4.4], P = .041) and patients with severe neuropathy carried more impactful variants in CEP72 coding regions (P = .039).

Conclusion

The association of CEP72 rs924607 in vincristine‐induced neuropathy was not confirmed in a cohort of brain tumour patients, but did contribute to its suggested effect when combined in a cross‐disease meta‐analysis. The importance of other genetic variations in CEP72 on vincristine‐induced neuropathy was demonstrated. This study contributes to evidence of the importance of genetic variants in CEP72 in development of vincristine‐induced toxicity, and provides guidance for future prospective studies.

Cervicomedullary Gliomas in Pediatric Age: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Tertiary Care Center Experience

INTRODUCTION

Cervicomedullary gliomas (CMGs) are usually low-grade tumors often found in the pediatric age. Histological findings, treatments, and classification have been much the same for 40 years, although histological and molecular classifications have largely been developed for other pediatric CNS tumors. The management and treatment of pediatric CMG are still conducted by many authors according to their anatomical location and characteristics, independently from histology.

METHODS

We conducted a literature review in PubMed (Medline) to identify relevant contributions about pediatric CMG published until December 31, 2021. We also analyzed a series of 10 patients with CMG treated from 2006 to 2021 at IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori. The aim of the present review was to see whether and how the diagnosis, treatment, and classification of CMGs in children have developed over time, especially in the context of molecular advancements, and to analyze our single-center experience in the last 15 years.

RESULTS

Thirty articles have been included in the review. Articles have been divided into two historical periods (1981-2000 and 2001-2021) and data from different series were analyzed to see how much the management and treatment of pediatric CMG have changed during years. Analysis of our series of 10 patients affected by CMG was also performed to compare it with the literature.

DISCUSSION

Management and classification of CMG in children have not dramatically changed during years. However, new insight from molecular diagnostics and target therapies and the development of radiological, neurophysiological, and radiotherapy techniques have updated treatment modalities in the last 20 years. Treatment modalities and their innovations have been reviewed and discussed. Further studies are needed to standardize and customize treatment protocols for these tumors.

Prolonged COVID-19 infection in a child with lymphoblastic non-Hodgkin lymphoma: which is the best management?

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, oncologists have managed patients at higher risk of having a severe course of this infection. This raises new questions about their correct management, as well as the difficulty of distinguishing tumor/treatments complications from those related to COVID-19. We report a case of an 11-year-old boy undergoing treatment for T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma who experienced a prolonged COVID-19 course. Oncologic therapy was continued without significant changes compared to the initially planned treatment. No relevant complications occurred. COVID-19 convalescent plasma was administered, resulting in a positive antibody titer after 24 days.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis in adults: a retrospective, single-center case series

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is rare in adults, and most of what we know about its diagnosis and treatment comes from pediatric studies. We report clinical findings and results of treatment in a retrospective series of 63 consecutive adult patients (18-76 years old), treated at our pediatric unit from 1990 to 2020 using the same approach as for children. Patients were classified as having single-system disease (SS-LCH) in 41 cases, which was unifocal in 34 of them and multifocal in 7, or multisystem disease (MS-LCH) in 17 and primary pulmonary (pLCH) in 5. Twenty patients also had diabetes insipidus. A "wait and see" strategy was recommended after biopsy/surgery for patients with unifocal SS-LCH. Systemic treatment was proposed for cases of SS-LCH involving "special sites" or with multifocal disease, and in cases of MS-LCH. EFS and OS for the cohort as a whole were 62.2% and 100%, respectively, at 5 years and 52.5% and 97.6% at 10 years. Three patients died due to the damage caused by the multiple therapies administered. The rate of disease reactivation was high (affecting 40% of cases), with several reactivations over the years despite multiple lines of treatment. Though clinical history of LCH may differ between adults and children, in the absence of specific, tailored protocols, clinical approach to adult cases may draw on pediatric experience. Patients with limited disease have a good prognosis without any need for systemic therapy. Potentially greater toxicity in adults of systemic treatments generally used in pediatric setting should be borne in mind.

Treatment and outcome of intracranial ependymoma after first relapse in AIEOP 2 nd protocol

BACKGROUND

More than 40% of patients with intracranial ependymoma need a salvage treatment within 5 years after diagnosis, and no standard treatment is available as yet. We report the outcome after first relapse of 64 patients treated within the 2 nd AIEOP protocol.

METHODS

We considered relapse sites and treatments ,i.e. various combinations of complete/incomplete surgery, if followed by standard or hypo-fractionated radiation(RT) ± chemotherapy(CT). Molecular analyses were available for 38/64 samples obtained at first diagnosis. Of the 64 cases, 55 were suitable for subsequent analyses.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 147 months after diagnosis, 84 after first relapse, 5-year EFS/OS were 26.2%/30.8% (median EFS/OS 13/32 months) after relapse. For patients with a local relapse(LR), the 5-year cumulative incidence of second LRs was 51.6%, with a 5-year event-specific probability of being LR-free of 40.0%. Tumor site/grade, need for shunting, age above/below 3 years, molecular subgroup at diagnosis, had no influence on outcomes. Due to variation in the RT dose/fractionation used and the subgroup sizes it was not possible to assess the impact of the different RT modalities. Multivariable analyses identified completion of surgery, absence of symptoms at relapse, and female sex as prognostically favorable. Tumors with a 1q gain carried a higher cumulative incidence of dissemination after first relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival after recurrence was significantly influenced by symptoms and completeness of surgery. Only a homogeneous protocol with well posed, randomized questions could clarify the numerous issues, orient salvage treatment and ameliorate prognosis for this group of patients.

P06.01 Pediatric non-pontine diffuse midline glioma H3K27M mutant: a monoinstitutional experience

BACKGROUND

The new entity “diffuse-midline-glioma H3K27M-mutant”(DMG) was defined in the 2016 WHO classification. This tumor subtype, regardless of histological features, is associated with an aggressive clinical behavior and poor prognosis, sharing the same outcome as DIPG.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We report our experience from 2016 to 2018 in treating patients with radiotherapy and concomitant Nimotuzumab/Vinorelbine, as already published for DIPG’s patients (DOI10.1007/s11060-014-1428-z). All patients’ parents provided written informed consent for treatment.

RESULTS

Patients were 9: 7/9 females, median age at diagnosis 13 years (range 1–26); 8 with localized disease, 1 with spinal fluid (CSF) dissemination. Five patients had thalamic disease (1 bithalamic), 2 ponto-cerebellar (one with 2 lesions), 1 pineal gland and one with disseminated CSF disease at diagnosis. 3/9 were biopsed in thalamus, the others had partial resection. Central neuropathological review with confirmed histopathological diagnosis of DMG mutated was necessary for inclusion. At the first pathological evaluation tumors had been classified according to the fourth edition of the WHO 2007 as glioblastoma (n=4), anaplastic astrocytoma grade III (n=1), diffuse astrocytoma grade II (n=1), and 1 glial tumor with oligodendroglial features; 2 patients already had DMG at the first pathological evaluation. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed p53 mutation in 3 patients. All 9 patients were evaluated on serial plasma samples with NGS targeted panel (Pan-Cancer) and 6/9 presented p53 mutation in at least one of the samples. 8/9 expressed MAP2K1 gain of function at liquid biopsy. The small number of patients did not allow correlations with the prognosis. Two patients completed the scheduled 2 years of treatment: one had a local relapse at 37 months after diagnosis, the other is alive without evidence of progression at 30 months. With a median follow up of 14.4 months, PFS and OS were 33% and 77% at 1 year; OS was 22% at 2 years, with 2 patients long survivors at 36 and 40 months after diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The molecular and phenotypic pattern of DMG allows to include patients in clinical trials/registry shared with patients suffering from DIPG. Our knowledge is still limited about this entity; new insights into molecular profile should help us to study new drugs directed against the effects of the H3K27M mutations and to define new diagnostic/prognostic approach as liquid biopsy able to correlate treatments and prognosis

Children and adolescent solid tumours and high-intensity end-of-life care: what can be done to reduce acute care admissions?

Despite improvements in survival, cancer remains the leading cause of non-accidental death in children and adolescents, who risk receiving high-intensity end-of-life (HI-EOL) care.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse treatments for relapses (particularly in the last weeks of life), assess their impact on the EOL, identify patients most likely to receive HI-EOL care and examine whether palliative care services can contain the intensity of EOL care.

METHODS

This retrospective study involved patients treated at the paediatric oncology unit of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan who died between 2018 and 2020. The primary outcome was HI-EOL care, defined as: ≥1 session of intravenous chemotherapy <14 days before death; ≥1 hospitalisation in intensive care in the last 30 days of life and ≥1 emergency room admission in the last 30 days of life.

RESULTS

The study concerned 68 patients, and 17 had HI-EOL care. Patients given specific in-hospital treatments in the last 14 days of their life more frequently died in hospital. Those given aggressive EOL care were less likely to die at home or in the hospice. Patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumours were more likely to have treatments requiring hospitalisation, and to receive HI-EOL care.

CONCLUSION

These results underscore the importance of considering specific treatments at the EOL with caution. Treatments should be administered at home whenever possible.The early activation of palliative care, especially for fragile and complicated patients like those with CNS cancers, could help families cope with the many problems they face.

Correlation between oncological family history and clinical outcome in a large monocentric cohort of pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma of the skeletal muscle generally affecting children and adolescents, shows extensive heterogeneity in histology, site and age of onset, clinical course, and prognosis. Tumorigenesis of RMS is multifactorial and genetic predisposition together with the family history of cancer may provide critical information to enhance the current knowledge and foster genetic counseling and testing.

METHODS

In our study, we evaluated the possible correlation of oncological family history with clinical outcomes in a cohort of RMS 512 patients and treated at the Pediatric Oncology Unit of our Institute. Family history was retrospectively collected from the specific ad hoc form available in medical records and filled in through an interview with the patients' parents at the time of RMS diagnosis.

RESULTS

While our series did not show a specific association between oncological family history and clinical variables, we observed an association with survival probabilities: among patients with a history of cancer-affected first-degree relatives at the time of the diagnosis, all children with alveolar RMS (ARMS) died of disease.

CONCLUSION

Our study not only reports an interesting and not previously described association between a poor clinical outcome and ARMS in patients with young cancer-affected relatives, but also stimulates the discussion on oncological family history in RMS, to improve the clinical management of these young patients and their families.

Second series by the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology of children and adolescents with intracranial ependymoma: an integrated molecular and clinical characterization with a long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

A prospective 2002-2014 study stratified 160 patients by resection extent and histological grade, reporting results in 2016. We re-analyzed the series after a median of 119 months, adding retrospectively patients' molecular features.

METHODS

Follow-up of all patients was updated. DNA copy number analysis and gene-fusion detection could be completed for 94/160 patients, methylation classification for 68.

RESULTS

Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 5/10 years were 66/58%, and 80/73%. Ten patients had late relapses (range 66-126 mo), surviving after relapse no longer than those relapsing earlier (0-5 y). On multivariable analysis a better PFS was associated with grade II tumor and complete surgery at diagnosis and/or at radiotherapy; female sex and complete resection showed a positive association with OS. Posterior fossa (PF) tumors scoring ≥0.80 on DNA methylation analysis were classified as PFA (n = 41) and PFB (n = 9). PFB patients had better PFS and OS. Eighteen/32 supratentorial tumors were classified as RELA, and 3 as other molecular entities (anaplastic PXA, LGG MYB, HGNET). RELA had no prognostic impact. Patients with 1q gain or cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) loss had worse outcomes, included significantly more patients >3 years old (P = 0.050) and cases of dissemination at relapse (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Previously described prognostic factors were confirmed at 10-year follow-up. Late relapses occurred in 6.2% of patients. Specific molecular features may affect outcome: PFB patients had a very good prognosis; 1q gain and CDKN2A loss were associated with dissemination. To draw reliable conclusions, modern ependymoma trials need to combine diagnostics with molecular risk stratification and long-term follow-up.

Medulloblastoma and familial adenomatous polyposis: Good prognosis and good quality of life in the long-term?

INTRODUCTION

Mutations of the APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene correlate mainly with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), but can occasionally be pathogenic for medulloblastoma (MBL) wingless-related integration site (WNT) subtype, the course of which has only recently been described.

METHODS

We retrieved all patients with documented germline APC mutations and a diagnosis of MBL to examine their outcome, late effects of treatment, and further oncological events.

RESULTS

Between 2007 and 2016, we treated six patients, all with a pathogenic APC variant mutation and all with MBL, classic histotype. None had metastatic disease. All patients were in complete remission a median 65 months after treatment with craniospinal irradiation at 23.4 Gy, plus a boost on the posterior fossa/tumor bed up to 54 Gy, followed by cisplatin/carboplatin, lomustine, and vincristine for a maximum of eight courses. Five of six diagnostic revised MRI were suggestive of the WNT molecular subgroup typical aspects. Methylation profile score (in two cases) and copy number variation analysis (chromosome 6 deletion in two cases) performed on four of six retrieved samples confirmed WNT molecular subgroup. Four out of six patients had a positive family history of FAP, while gastrointestinal symptoms prompted its identification in the other two cases. Four patients developed other tumors (desmoid, MELTUMP, melanoma, pancreatoblastoma, thyroid Tir3) from 5 to 7 years after MBL.

DISCUSSION

Our data confirm a good prognosis for patients with MBL associated with FAP. Patients' secondary tumors may or may not be related to their syndrome or treatment, but warrant adequate attention when planning shared guidelines for these patients.

Retrospective study of late radiation-induced damages after focal radiotherapy for childhood brain tumors

PURPOSE

To study a robust and reproducible procedure to investigate a relation between focal brain radiotherapy (RT) low doses, neurocognitive impairment and late White Matter and Gray Matter alterations, as shown by Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), in children.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Forty-five patients (23 males and 22 females, median age at RT 6.2 years, median age at evaluations 11.1 years) who had received focal RT for brain tumors were recruited for DTI exams and neurocognitive tests. Patients' brains were parceled in 116 regions of interest (ROIs) using an available segmented atlas. After the development of an ad hoc, home-made, multimodal and highly deformable registration framework, we collected mean RT doses and DTI metrics values for each ROI. The pattern of association between cognitive scores or domains and dose or DTI values was assessed in each ROI through both considering and excluding ROIs with mean doses higher than 75% of the prescription. Subsequently, a preliminary threshold value of dose discriminating patients with and without neurocognitive impairment was selected for the most relevant associations.

RESULTS

The workflow allowed us to identify 10 ROIs where RT dose and DTI metrics were significantly associated with cognitive tests results (p<0.05). In 5/10 ROIs, RT dose and cognitive tests were associated with p<0.01 and preliminary RT threshold dose values, implying a possible cognitive or neuropsychological damage, were calculated. The analysis of domains showed that the most involved one was the "school-related activities".

CONCLUSION

This analysis, despite being conducted on a retrospective cohort of children, shows that the identification of critical brain structures and respective radiation dose thresholds is achievable by combining, with appropriate methodological tools, the large amount of data arising from different sources. This supported the design of a prospective study to gain stronger evidence.

Customised pediatric palliative care: Integrating oncological and palliative care priorities

AIM

To describe the experience involving the early introduction of palliative care (PC) in oncological patients treated within the paediatric oncology unit of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan and compare this cohort with a cohort of patients resident in the same area treated before the introduction of early palliative care.

METHODS

A virtual team was assembled in 2015. The PC providers operate outside the hospital. Conference calls were scheduled to discuss patients' problems. This sample was compared with the clinical records of patients residing in the same area who died between 2009 and 2014.

RESULTS

Between January 2015 and April 2019, 41 patients residing in the Milan area mainly with CNS tumours or sarcomas were referred to the team. Comparing the results with the previous cohort, there was a rise in the number of patients dying at home or in a hospice and the duration of PC increased over time. From 2015, none of the patients died in an intensive care unit.

CONCLUSION

Patients managed by the virtual team were able to continue their cancer treatments, take part in Phase I trials and receive PC. All patients with a poor prognosis should have PC at an early stage.

Adolescents with cancer on privacy: Fact-finding survey on the need for confidentiality and space

BACKGROUND

Cancer diagnosis and related treatment can limit young patients' privacy. Their need for private physical and psychological spaces can be impeded by limited freedom, e.g., sharing hospital rooms with others and exposing their body to their parents and doctors.

METHODS

We conducted a survey among young patients of our center to investigate how their perception of privacy changed after being diagnosed with cancer and their need for hospital dedicated physical spaces and time for patients to enjoy their privacy. A questionnaire with 16 items was developed by the staff involving psychologists and physicians. The relevance of changes before and after the cancer diagnosis was assessed by calculating two scores indicating the situation before and after diagnosis for each answer, as well as a delta score.

RESULTS

Between May and June 2020, the questionnaire was completed by 60 patients aged 16-24 years. The median delta scores describing the changes before and after diagnosis were -8 points for perception of privacy, indicating a significant decrement of the level of privacy perceived. A major issue was the constant presence of parents being perceived as intrusive. Concerning hospital dedicated physical spaces and time for patients to enjoy their privacy, respondents requested dedicated spaces (50% of patients) and opportunities to have private interviews with medical personnel (88%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study offers a snapshot of how young people with cancer perceive the impact of the disease and its treatment on their privacy with the restrictions imposed on their individual freedom. Patients' personal needs must be taken into consideration to adopt appropriate measures and better organize wards.

DIPG-54. A NON-INVASIVE PROGNOSTIC CIRCULATING miRNAs SIGNATURE IN DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMAS

Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) are the most common brainstem tumors of childhood and represent one of the most challenging paediatric tumours to treat. A non-randomized, open label phase II pilot study was conducted at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori (Milan) to assess the efficacy in terms of objective response rate according to the RECIST criteria of combining nimotuzumab and vinorelbine with radiation in newly-diagnosed DIPG. Serum specimens were collected at baseline. microRNA expression profiling was performed using Agilent platform and Human miRNA SureSelect 8x60K containing 2006 miRNAs annotated on miRBase19.0. Primary data analysis yielded a matrix containing 330 detectable miRNA. Association with PFS allowed us to disclose a signature of 10 miRNAs able to stratify high and low risk patients (HR=4.33, 95%CI 1.49–12.54; p=4.27E-05). To test the 10 ct-miRNA model performance, we collected an independent cohort of the same sample size (n=24) and we derived the index values and risk stratification. The distribution of index values covers a range similar to the discovery cohort. Imposing the signature threshold patients were divided in high/low risk and Kaplan-Meier curves confirmed the different PFS time for the two groups with HR=3.5 (95%CI: 1.8–8.01, p-value=0.0002) for the high-risk patients, reaching AUC=0.833. Our signature is a biomarker based on non-invasive procedures for prognosis able to enter into clinical practice. Further validation on multicenter case series is warranted.

EPEN-03. LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF AIEOP 2ND SERIES OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENT WITH PRIMARY INTRACRANIAL (ST:SUPRATENTORIAL; PF: POSTERIOR FOSSA) EPENDYMOMA AND METHYLATION GROUPS RE-ANALYSES

BACKGROUND

This 2002–2014 Italian prospective study stratified 160 patients by surgical resection (complete=NED/incomplete=ED) and centrally-reviewed grade. Grade2/NED patients received focal radiotherapy (RT) up to 59.4Gy, Grade3/NED received 4 courses of VEC(vincristine,etoposide,cyclophosphamide) after RT.ED patients received 1–4 VEC courses, second-look surgery, 59.4 Gy+8Gy boost on measurable residue.

METHODS

We re-analyzed data at 115 months follow-up including methylation profile on available samples.

RESULTS

Global PFS/OS at 5/10 years were 66/59% and 80/74%, respectively. Of the 64 relapsers at median 20 months, 53 died at median 37/18 months after diagnosis/relapse, respectively.10/64 relapsed after 5 years (66–126 months); 4 died, relapse was local in 8/10, metastatic 1, combined 1;5/10 patients were below age 3, 5 females, 8 PF tumors. Their survival post-relapse was not longer than earlier relapsers’. At univariable analysis, age over 3 years, female sex, complete surgery, grade 2, no shunt confirmed better PFS/OS. 66/95 analyzed tumors received a score >0.80 through the DNA methylation-based central nervous system tumor classifier: 41/8 as PFA/PFB, respectively,14/17 ST as RELA-positive (3 scored for other molecular entities i.e. anaplastic PXA, LGG MYB, HGNET). Prognostic factors were equally distributed among PFA/PFB groups,1 only group B patient relapsed locally at 96 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Already published prognostic factors remained at long-term follow-up;6.2% patients had late relapses. OS after relapse was not better in late relapsers. Group B confirmed better prognosis but all patients had received «at least» adjuvant RT. Modern ependymoma trials need long follow-up to draw firm conclusions.

Retrospective analysis of the clinical and radiological features of 94 consecutive DIPGs patients to investigate the factors determining the development of hydrocephalus and its impact on clinical status and survival

PURPOSE

There is no consensus in the literature about the impact of hydrocephalus on clinical course and overall survival of diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) patients as well as about its specific treatment. Authors reviewed a series of DIPG patients to investigate factors related to the onset of hydrocephalus, its treatment, and its impact on clinical course and prognosis.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study was performed enrolling pediatric patients affected by DIPG from 2008 to 2018. Clinical and radiological charts were reviewed to find patients' demographic, pathologic and radiologic features in hydrocephalic and non-hydrocephalic patients. In the hydrocephalus cohort, treatment strategy and its effectiveness and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

Ninety-four pediatric patients were enrolled in the study. Patients who developed hydrocephalus showed significantly lesser maximum axial tumor areas than patients without hydrocephalus (respectively 6.5 cm² vs 16.45 cm², p < 0.005). Hydrocephalus developed in 33 patients (35%) with an onset interval of 5.24 ± 1.21 months (range 3.2-7.3). The majority of hydrocephalic patients (28 cases, 90%) were treated by ventriculoperitoneal shunt, the remaining 3 patients being treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Mean overall survival was 16.6 months ± 20 months without significative difference between the groups.

CONCLUSION

The onset of hydrocephalus occurs in the first moths of the disease story and found a negative correlation with tumor maximal axial diameter. Early treatment of hydrocephalus presents a very low complications rate with satisfying clinical outcome, as it allows the patients to continue the neurooncological therapies being a part of the treatment armamentarium instead of a palliative solution.

Secreting Germ Cell Tumors of the Central Nervous System: A Long-Term Follow-up Experience

INTRODUCTION

Due to the rarity of nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCT) with non-standard treatment as yet, we report retrospectively our 30 year experience with chemotherapy followed by craniospinal irradiation (CSI), plus a boost of whole ventricular irradiation (WVI)/tumor bed (TB), tailored to pre-radiation chemotherapy response.

METHODS

Between 1988 and 2016, 28 patients received four cycles of PEB (cisplatin/etoposide/bleomycin), then CSI, and two further PEB cycles. Between 1988 and1994, CSI was 25.5 Gy for patients in complete remission (CR), 30 Gy if in partial remission (PR) or metastatic, with a boost to TB up to 45-54 Gy. In the period of 1995-2010, the boost included WVI and any extra-ventricular tumor sites up to 45 Gy. After 2010, CSI was reduced to 25.5 Gy for all non-metastatic patients, and a boost was given only to TB up to 40.5/45.5 Gy, depending on patients' CR/PR status. After 2003, patients with alfafetoprotein (αFP) > 1000 ng/mL received intensified treatment, also including autologous stem cell transplantation.

RESULTS

Among 28 patients (23 males; median age 12 years, 6 metastatic), 25 responded to PEB, and three progressed (PD) after one to four cycles; 26 received radiotherapy obtaining 13 CR, 7 PR and 5 stable disease (SD), 1 PD; 6 (21%) died (5 for disease, 1 for pneumonia while in CR). Five-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were both 81%; 10 year OS and PFS 81% and 76%, respectively (median follow-up 11 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Survival for children with NGGCT, independently from disease extent, was encouraging. Further studies should elucidate which patients could benefit from reduced volume and dose irradiation.

Cancer treatment in disabled children

The incidence of cancer in children with intellectual disability has been poorly documented. We report our experience of treating children and adolescents with cancer and intellectual disability (40 patients), from 2004 to 2018. A treatment-sparing approach was adopted for 6 patients with severe intellectual impairment to minimize toxicity: a child with postpartum asphyxia and medulloblastoma did not receive radiotherapy; 1 patient with mitochondrial encephalopathy and a testicular germ cell tumor did not receive bleomycin and lung metastasectomy; 2 patients (1 with Down + West syndrome + Wilms tumor (WT) and 1 with Denys-Drash syndrome + WT) did not receive vincristine; 1 child with corpus callosum agenesis and anaplastic ependymoma did not receive chemotherapy; 1 child with structural chromosomal aberrations and a primitive neuro-ectodermal tumor received personalized chemotherapy. Heminephrectomy was performed in 4 patients with WT to preserve their kidney function. We found no statistically significant correlation between relapse or mortality rates and the use of a treatment-sparing approach. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 84.5% and 66.1% as opposed to 82.5% and 46.9%, respectively, for patients in our usual-treatment and treatment-sparing groups.Conclusion: We only opted for a treatment-sparing approach for patients with severe disabilities, and their OS was in line with that of children without intellectual disability. What is Known: • There are few reports on children/adolescents with cancer and intellectual disability (ID). • It is not clear how to manage them and whether a treatment sparing should be considered, especially in the case of severe disability. What is New: • Most patients received the standard cancer treatment and only in the case of severe disability, a therapeutic saving approach was applied. • No statistically significant correlations between relapse/mortality rates and the use of a treatment-sparing approach were found.

Experiencing Social Isolation (Even in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown): Teachings Through Arts from Adolescents with Cancer

The article describes how adolescents with cancer utilized an artistic approach to discuss about their social isolation caused by disease and treatment. With the help of professionals, 17 young patients closed in their isolation room described their ideal room (a bit real, a bit of a fantasy place) producing texts and images, subsequently put together into a book. In these days when people are forced to social isolation by the lockdown related to corovavirus disease 2019 pandemic, young patients teach us meaningful life lessons: how social confinement can become an opportunity to focus on yourself, and what is really important in life.

Adolescents with Terminal Cancer: Making Good Use of Illusions

The terminal stage of disease in teenagers is extremely complex to manage. In this study, we share some stories of terminally ill adolescent patients who made use of illusion as a way to overcome their anguish in their final stages of illness. These experiences show how young patients can cope better with terminal illness by resorting to a nonrational and fictional dimension that can serve them as a psychological compromise, helping them tolerate their real everyday life by suspending their critical senses for a while. Illusions can serve as a resource for young patients and a potentially useful tool for medical professionals.