Bone Health Impairment in Patients with Hemoglobinopathies: From Biological Bases to New Possible Therapeutic Strategies

Hemoglobinopathies are monogenic disorders affecting hemoglobin synthesis. Thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD) are considered the two major hemoglobinopathies. Thalassemia is a genetic disorder and one of the major hemoglobinopathies determined by an impairment of globin chain production, which causes an alteration of erythropoiesis, an improvement in hemolysis, and an alteration of iron homoeostasis. In SCD, the mutations are on the β-globin chain of hemoglobin which results in a substitution of glutamic acid by valine with consequent formation of Hemoglobin S (HbS). Several factors are involved in bone metabolism alteration in patients with hemoglobinopathies, among them hormonal deficiency, bone marrow hyperplasia, iron overload, inflammation, and increased bone turnover. Bone metabolism is the result of balance maintenance between bone deposition and bone resorption, by osteoblasts (OBs) and osteoclasts (OCs). An impairment of this balance is responsible for the onset of bone diseases, such as osteoporosis (OP). Therefore, here we will discuss the alteration of bone metabolism in patients with hemoglobinopathies and the possible therapeutic strategies to contain and/or counteract bone health impairment in these patients, taking into consideration not only the pharmacological treatments already used in the clinical armamentarium, but also the new possible therapeutic strategies.

The efficacy and the safety of eltrombopag in pediatric patients with severe aplastic anemia: a systematic review

Background

Acquired aplastic anemia (AAA) in pediatric patients is a rare disorder characterized by hypocellular bone marrow and pancytopenia. Eltrombopag, an oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist, provides a hematologic improvement in adults with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) refractory to immunosuppressive therapy (IST). The association of ELT and IST was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults and children ≥2 years of age as a first-line treatment for SAA. However, the effects of ELT on pediatric patients with SAA remain controversial and limited.

Methods and findings

We conducted a systematic review of the most recent literature from Pubmed, Web of Science, and Embase, published up to 20th December 2022, in order to evaluate the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of ELT added to IST for the treatment of SAA in the pediatric population.

Conclusion

Eltrombopag added to the IST has shown a good safety profile, without manifestations of excessive toxic effects, although not all the results obtained from our studies support the addition of ELT to the IST in the first-line treatment of children with SAA.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42022325859.

Osteoporosis in Childhood Cancer Survivors: Physiopathology, Prevention, Therapy and Future Perspectives

Simple Summary

Anti-cancer treatments induced an increase in the childhood cancer survival rate. However, they are responsible for several long-term side effects in childhood cancer survivors, including osteoporosis. Cancer itself, a sedentary lifestyle, and an unhealthy diet might adversely affect bone health. Early identification and adequate management of bone fragility in childhood cancer survivors could be useful to prevent osteoporosis onset and consequently fragility fractures.

Abstract

The improvement of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical interventions, together with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, increased childhood cancer survival rate in the last decades, reaching 80% in Europe. Nevertheless, anti-cancer treatments are mainly responsible for the onset of long-term side effects in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), including alterations of the endocrine system function and activity. In particular, the most frequent dysfunction in CCS is a metabolic bone disorder characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) with increased skeletal fragility. BMD loss is also a consequence of a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, and cancer itself could affect BMD, thus inducing osteopenia and osteoporosis. In this paper, we provide an overview of possible causes of bone impairment in CCS in order to propose management strategies for early identification and treatment of skeletal fragility in this population.

Effect of CB2 Stimulation on Gene Expression in Pediatric B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: New Possible Targets

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia type B (B-ALL) is the most common kind of pediatric leukemia, characterized by the clonal proliferation of type B lymphoid stem cells. Important progress in ALL treatments led to improvements in long-term survival; nevertheless, many adverse long-term consequences still concern the medical community. Molecular and cellular target therapies, together with immunotherapy, are promising strategies to overcome these concerns. Cannabinoids, enzymes involved in their metabolism, and cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) constitute the endocannabinoid system, involved in inflammation, immune response, and cancer. CB2 receptor stimulation exerts anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects in many tumors. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CB2 stimulation on B-ALL cell lines, SUP-B15, by RNA sequencing, Western blotting, and ELISA. We observe a lower expression of CB2 in SUP-B15 cells compared to lymphocytes from healthy subjects, hypothesizing its involvement in B-ALL pathogenesis. CB2 stimulation reduces the expression of CD9, SEC61G, TBX21, and TMSB4X genes involved in tumor growth and progression, and also negatively affects downstream intracellular pathways. Our findings suggest an antitumor role of CB2 stimulation in B-ALL, and highlight a functional correlation between CB2 receptors and specific anti-tumoral pathways, even though further investigations are needed.

Alteration of osteoclast activity in childhood cancer survivors: Role of iron and of CB2/TRPV1 receptors

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are predisposed to the onset of osteoporosis (OP). It is known that iron overload induces osteoclasts (OCs) overactivity and that the iron chelator Deferasirox (DFX) can counteract it. The Cannabinoid Receptor type 2 (CB2) and the transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) are potential therapeutic targets for OP. In this study we isolated OCs from peripheral blood of 20 CCS and investigated osteoclast biomarkers expression and iron metabolism evaluating iron release by OCs and the expression of several molecules involved in its regulation. Moreover, we analyzed the effects of CB2 and TRPV1 stimulation in combination with DFX on osteoclast activity and iron metabolism. We observed, for the first time, an osteoclast hyperactivation in CCS suggesting a role for iron in its development. Moreover, we confirmed the well-known role of CB2 and TRPV1 receptors in bone metabolism, suggesting the receptors as possible key biomarkers of bone damage. Moreover, we demonstrated a promising synergism between pharmacological compounds, stimulating CB2 or inhibiting/desensitizing TRPV1 and DFX, in counteracting osteoclast overactivity in CCS to improve their quality of life.

Eltrombopag and its iron chelating properties in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents 20% of total childhood leukemia diagnoses and is characterized by poor prognosis with a long-term survival rate around the 50%, when patients are properly treated. The standard treatment for pediatric AML currently consists in a combination of cytarabine (Ara-C) and antracycline. Iron plays an important role in cancer development and progression. Targeting iron and its metabolism mediators could be a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer.Deferasirox (DFX) inhibits cancer cell proliferation and its use as an antiblastic drug could be suggested. Eltrombopag (ELT), a thrombopoietin receptor agonist used in immunethrombocytopenia, shows anticancer properties related to its emerging iron chelating properties. We compare the anticancer effect of classically used cytarabine with DFX and ELT effects in a pediatric AML cell line, THP-1, in order to identify innovative and more effective therapeutic strategies. ELT and DFX reduce intracellular iron concentration by inhibiting its uptake and by promoting its release. In particular, even though further investigations are needed to better understand the extact underlying action mechanisms, we demonstrated that ELT improves cytarabine antineoplastic activity in pediatric AML cell line.

Poikiloderma With Neutropenia and Mastocytosis: A Case Report and a Review of Dermatological Signs

Poikiloderma with neutropenia (PN) is a very rare genetic disorder mainly characterized by poikiloderma and congenital neutropenia, which explains the recurrence of respiratory infections and risk of developing bronchiectasis. Patients are also prone to develop hematological and skin cancers. Here, we present the case of a patient, the only child of apparently unrelated Serbian parents, affected by PN resulting from the homozygous mutation NM_024598.3:c.243G>A (p.Trp81Ter) of USB1; early onset of poikiloderma (1 year of age) was associated with cutaneous mastocytosis. We also provide a review of the literature on this uncommon condition with a focus on dermatological findings.

Effects of Iron Chelation in Osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone tumor. It represents the principal cause of cancer-associated death in children. Considering the recent findings on the role of iron in cancer, iron chelation has been investigated for its antineoplastic properties in many tumors. Deferasirox is the most used iron chelator compound and in previous studies showed an anticancer effect in hematologic and solid malignancies. Eltrombopag is a Thrombopoietin receptor used in thrombocytopenia that also binds and mobilize iron. It demonstrated an effect on iron overload conditions and also in contrasting cancer cell proliferation.

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed the effects of deferasirox and eltrombopag in human osteosarcoma cells in an attempt to identify other therapeutic approaches for this tumor.

METHODS

We cultured and treated with deferasirox and Eltrombopag, alone and in combination, two human osteosarcoma cell lines, MG63 and 143B. After 72h exposure, we performed RTqPCR, Western Blotting, Iron Assay and cytofluorimetric assays to evaluate the effect on viability, apoptosis, cell cycle progression and ROS production.

RESULTS

The iron-chelating properties of the two compounds are also confirmed in osteosarcoma, but we did not observe any direct effect on tumor progression.

DISCUSSION

We tested deferasirox and eltrombopag, alone and in combination, in human osteosarcoma cells for the first time and demonstrated that their iron-chelating activity does not influence biochemical pathways related to cancer progression and maintenance.

CONCLUSION

Although further investigations on possible effects mediated by cells of the tumor microenvironment could be of great interest, in vitro iron chelation in osteosarcoma does not impair tumor progression.

Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology Is an Effective Diagnostic Tool in Paediatric Patients with Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma as Secondary Neoplasm

BACKGROUND

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant salivary gland tumour in paediatric population, accounting for 16% of all cases. Patients affected by a previous solid or leukaemic neoplasm during their childhood may develop a second different tumour during the follow-up. In this setting, salivary gland MEC is relatively frequent, accounting for 6% of the second neoplasms in paediatric patients. Consequently, the occurrence of salivary gland nodules in paediatric patients with a previous neoplasm should be considered an event with a high risk of malignancy that poses peculiar diagnostic challenges.

SUMMARY

This study was designed to define clinical and instrumental findings and morphological features of MEC on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) samples in paediatric patients with and without a previous neoplasm. Five patients under 19 years are included in this series. FNAC was performed in all patients on a parotid nodule. We have identified 2 groups of patients: (a) 2 cases with previous history of malignancy (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and Hodgkin lymphoma) and (b) 3 cases without previous malignant neoplasms. In all cases, a final diagnosis of MEC was rendered. Key Messages: MEC may occur as a second malignancy in paediatric patients. FNAC is certainly a valid and accurate diagnostic tool for this type of neoplasm, even in the paediatric age, allowing the correct management of the patients.

Safety of Anticancer Agents Used in Children: A Focus on Their Off-Label Use Through Data From the Spontaneous Reporting System

BACKGROUND

Among factors influencing the higher risk of developing unknown or rare adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among children and adolescents, there is the frequent off-label use of drugs that seems to be very common in pediatric oncological patients. Our study aim to collect and evaluate data on the safety profile of antineoplastic drugs and their off-label use in the pediatrics population using real life data.

METHODS

We retrieved Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) with an anticancer agent as suspected drug among those reported through the Campania spontaneous reporting system from 1 January 2013 to 30 September 2019. We classified ICSRs into four off-label categories: "age," "route of administration," "weight," and "therapeutic indication." We defined an ICSR as an off-label case if it met at least one of the aforementioned categories for at least one of the reported suspected antineoplastic drugs.

RESULTS

A total of 18 ICSRs (7.6%) out of 236 were classified as off-label cases. The median age of patients was 13 years (interquartile range, IQR: 6-16), with 94.4% of cases occurring in male patients. In the classification of the off-label category, 16 ICSRs were categorized according to the "therapeutic indication" and two for the "age." No case was categorized for the off-label categories "route of administration" and "weight." The two off-label cases categorized as "age" were both related to the use of brentuximab vedotin for Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients aged 16 years. Twenty-nine ADRs (1.6 suspected adverse drug reactions per ICSR) were identified among off-label cases. Among ADRs, those reported more than one were diarrhea (N = 3), neutropenia (N = 3), nausea (N = 2), pyrexia (N = 2), and vomit (N = 2).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed a low number of ICSRs classified as off-label. The majority of off-label ICSRs were categorized for the "therapeutic indication." This low number of off-label ICSRs might be largely due to the underreporting phenomenon, which is a major limit in pharmacovigilance. Therefore, we believe that spreading pharmacovigilance knowledge and awareness might improve this aspect.

Genetic and epigenetic analyses guided by high resolution whole-genome SNP array reveals a possible role of CHEK2 in Wilms tumour susceptibility

Wilms tumour (WT), the most frequent malignant childhood renal tumour, shows a high degree of genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity. Loss of imprinting on chromosome 11p15 is found in a large fraction of cases and mutations in a few genes, including WT1, CTNNB1, WTX, TP53 and, more recently, SIX1, SIX2 and micro RNA processing genes (miRNAPGs), have been observed. However, these alterations are not sufficient to describe the entire spectrum of genetic defects underlying WT development. We inspected data obtained from a previously performed genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis on 96 WT samples. By selecting focal regions commonly involved in chromosomal anomalies, we identified genes with a possible role in WT development, based on the prior knowledge of their biological relevance, including MYCN, DIS3L2, MIR562, HACE1, GLI3, CDKN2A and CDKN2B, PALB2, and CHEK2. The MYCN hotspot mutation c.131C>T was detected in seven cases (7.3%). Full sequencing of the remaining genes disclosed 16 rare missense variants and a splicing mutation. Most of these were present at the germline level. Promoter analysis of HACE1, CDKN2A and CDKN2B disclosed partial methylation affecting HACE1 in a consistent fraction of cases (85%). Interestingly, of the four missense variants identified in CHEK2, three were predicted to be deleterious by in silico analyses, while an additional variant was observed to alter mRNA splicing, generating a functionally defective protein. Our study adds additional information on putative WT genes, and adds evidences involving CHEK2 in WT susceptibility.

Limberg fasciocutaneous transposition flap for the coverage of an exposed hip implant in a patient affected by ewing sarcoma

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Hemipelvectomy with immediate reconstruction with prosthetic devices for the surgical treatment of malignant tumors is an invasive procedure.

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The treatment of an exposed hip implant in these cluster of patient is extremely challenging and the literature shows how negative pressure wound therapy and myocutaneous, both pedicled and free, flaps are workhorses in these situations.

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The literature shows that the gold standard in the coverage of exposed prosthetic devices and in the treatment of infected non healing wounds is represented by muscular or myocutaneous flap.

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In this paper we report a successful coverage of exposed prosthetic hip implant with a local fasciocutaneous flap in a patient in which any other kind of reconstruction was not feasible.

Introduction

Hemipelvectomy with immediate reconstruction with prosthetic devices for the surgical treatment of malignant tumors is an invasive procedure with many possible complications such as wound breakdown, seroma, hematoma and infection.

The treatment of an exposed hip implant in these cluster of patient is extremely challenging and the literature shows how negative pressure wound therapy and myocutaneous, both pedicled and free, flaps are workhorses in these situations.

Case report

In this paper we report a successful coverage of exposed prosthetic hip implant with a local fasciocutaneous flap in a patient in which any other kind of reconstruction was not feasible.

Discussion

Fasciocutaneous flaps can be considered as an easily performed and minimally invasive surgical procedure, particularly reliable even in patients in poor general conditions, with preservation of future flap options.

Salvage rates and prognostic factors after relapse in children and adolescents with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors

BACKGROUND

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is one of the most common nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas encountered in pediatric age, and it is generally characterized by poor outcome, particularly for relapsing patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study considered 73 patients <21 years of age with relapsing MPNST observed among 120 patients enrolled in Italian pediatric protocols from 1979 to 2004. With the aim of possibly establishing a risk-adapted stratification, patients' outcome was examined using univariate and multivariate analysis based on clinical features at onset, first-line treatments, clinical findings at the time of first relapse, and second-line treatments.

RESULTS

The time to relapse ranged from 1 to 204 months after first diagnosis (median 7 months). The first relapse event was mainly local. At the time of our analysis, nine patients were alive in remission. The median overall survival after first relapse was 11 months, and the survival rates were 39.2% at 1 year and 15.8% at 5 years. The factors revealing the greatest impact on prognosis were as follows: initial tumor invasiveness, time of relapse, and achievement of a secondary complete remission (which was related to the feasibility of radical surgery).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirmed the unsatisfactory prognosis for pediatric patients with relapsing MPNST and pointed to a risk-adapted stratification model for the purposes of deciding second-line treatments. For the time being, an aggressive surgical approach seems to be the only effective salvage treatment and should be recommended. New therapeutic approaches are under evaluation with a view to improving current outcomes.

Factors possibly affecting prognosis in children with Wilms' tumor diagnosed before 24 months of age: A report from the Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP) Wilms Tumor Working Group

BACKGROUND

Children with Wilms' tumor (WT) aged under 24 months (infants) have a better prognosis than older patients. Our aim was to study the epidemiology of this age group, with focus on the modality of diagnosis, tumor size, and association with malformations/syndromes, seeking to understand if any of these factors might be related to prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Infants diagnosed with WT between 2003 and February 2010 were evaluated. A query form was used to collect data on the modality of WT diagnosis (symptomatic or incidental), tumor volume, maximum diameter, site, and stage.

RESULTS

Data were collected for 117 of 124 WT infants registered. Twenty-four cases had an incidental diagnosis (ID) of renal mass, usually arising from an abdominal ultrasound performed for other reasons, and 93 had been diagnosed based on clinical signs/symptoms. The incidental cohort displayed unifocal disease, mean tumor diameter 5.52 cm, mean tumor volume 84.30 ml, and 14 patients showed associated malformations. Symptomatic patients had mean maximum tumor diameter of 10.18 cm, mean tumor volume of 451.18 ml, and six had associated malformations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that 20% of the infants had an ID of WT; they had a relatively smaller nonmetastatic tumor and a higher rate of malformations than infants of the symptomatically diagnosed group, but we did not detect any difference in age at diagnosis between the two groups. Conversely, we found a significant difference in the 5-year event-free survival rate (P = 0.018) between infants under 1 year (96%), more frequently associated with congenital malformations, and infants 1-2 years (80%).

Pediatric nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas arising at visceral sites

BACKGROUND

Pediatric nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) may rarely occur in visceral tissues, and little is known about their clinical history. The present study retrospectively analyzed a group of patients prospectively registered in Italian pediatric protocols conducted between 1979 and 2004.

METHODS

Inclusion criteria for the study were as follows: a pathological diagnosis of "adult-type NRSTS," arising at visceral sites (lung-pleurae, liver, kidney, and mesentery-bowel); age under 18 years; no previous treatment except for primary surgery; available clinical data; and written consent.

RESULTS

Thirty cases with visceral NRSTS were collected and analyzed. Sites of origin were as follows: mesentery-bowel in 12 cases, lung-pleurae in 11, liver in 5, and kidney in 2. According to the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) surgical grouping system, patients were classified as follows: nine IRS group I, three group II, 12 group III, and six group IV. Patients were treated with a multimodal approach including surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy, according to their characteristics. For the series as a whole, the 5-year event-free and overall survival rates were 33.3% and 40.0%, respectively. The IRS group (reflecting the feasibility of initial complete resection) emerged as the main prognostic factor. Survival rates also correlated with tumor size and local invasiveness, histological subtype, and tumor sites (the worst outcome was seen for tumors arising in the lung and pleurae).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed that visceral NRSTS are aggressive tumors carrying a worse prognosis than pediatric NRSTS arising in soft tissues of the extremities. Local treatment remains the main challenge for these tumors.

Time trends of cancer incidence in childhood in Campania region: 25 years of observation

BACKGROUND

Childhood cancer is relatively uncommon and the European age-standardized rate was 164 new case per million per year among children 0 to 14 years of age (95 % CI 158-170). Aims of our study are to evaluate the cases of these malignant diseases observed between 0 and 15 years of age in the Campania region between 1990 and 2014, the ration between observed and expected cases by disease and province of residence. Also we studied the percentage of extra-regional migration over the time by disease and province of residence.

METHODS

In this study we reported the patients with malignant disease observed in 25 years (1990-2014) based on the specialized registry, the Mod. 1.01 of the AIEOP (Association Italian Pediatric Hematology-Oncology). The size of the monitored population also allowed us to systematically examine five time trends: 1990-94: 1995-99; 2000-04; 2005-09; and 2010-14.

RESULTS

Between 1990 and 2014 a total of 3655 malignant neoplasms were reported: Napoli province (2059 cases), Salerno province (625), Caserta province (589), Avellino province (229), and Benevento province (153). Epidemiological data suggested that about 4100 cases could be expected in Campania region during the same period. The overall ratio between observed (O) and expected (E) numbers of cases in the five periods considered rose gradually from 0.69 in the first period to 0.76, then 0.82, 0.91, and 0.94, in the other periods considered. The extra-regional migration involved 1029 cases (28.1 %), showing a reduction from 33.7 % of the first period to 20.3 % of the last period considered. Considering single province of residence we observed the lowest rate of migration in Napoli and Caserta province, whereas higher levels were observed in the other provinces. For all provinces, except Salerno, the extra-regional migration declined significantly over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings showed an increase over time of O/E ratio, probably due to improvement in the organization of centers and greater trust of families in local centers. It is possible to further improve the efficiency of healthcare system of Campania region and migration can be reduced with a more rational use of hospitals throughout region.

Unusual association of non-anaplastic Wilms tumor and Cornelia de Lange syndrome: case report

Background

Cornelia de Lange syndrome is the prototype for cohesinopathy disorders, which are characterized by defects in chromosome segregation. Kidney malformations, including nephrogenic rests, are common in Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Only one post-mortem case report has described an association between Wilms tumor and Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Here, we describe the first case of a living child with both diseases.

Case presentation

Non-anaplastic triphasic nephroblastoma was diagnosed in a patient carrying a not yet reported mutation in NIPBL (c.4920 G > A). The patient had the typical facial appearance and intellectual disability associated with Cornelia de Lange syndrome in absence of limb involvement. The child’s kidneys were examined by ultrasound at 2 years of age to exclude kidney abnormalities associated with the syndrome. She underwent pre-operative chemotherapy and nephrectomy. Seven months later she was healthy and without residual detectable disease.

Conclusion

The previous report of such co-occurrence, together with our report and previous reports of nephrogenic rests, led us to wonder if there may be any causal relationship between these two rare entities. The wingless/integrated (Wnt) pathway, which is implicated in kidney development, is constitutively activated in approximately 15–20 % of all non-anaplastic Wilms tumors. Interestingly, the Wnt pathway was recently found to be perturbed in a zebrafish model of Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Mutations in cohesin complex genes and regulators have also been identified in several types of cancers. On the other hand, there is no clear evidence of an increased risk of cancer in Cornelia de Lange syndrome, and no other similar cases have been published since the fist one reported by Cohen, and this prompts to think Wilms tumor and Cornelia de Lange syndrome occurred together in our patient by chance.

Expression and localization of serine protease Htra1 in neuroblastoma: correlation with cellular differentiation grade

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a paediatric tumor that arises from neural crest and shows heterogeneous clinical and biological features. The serine-protease high temperature requirement A1 (HtrA1) has a pivotal role in both cell proliferation and differentiation. Here we report the expression and localization of HtrA1 in NB tumor samples to assess HtrA1 role as a possible new biomarker of cellular differentiation in NB patients. HtrA1 protein expression by Western Blot assay was performed in 60 tissue samples of 50 children with NB and 10 children with ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB). HtrA1 was expressed in 56/60 (93.3 %) samples with different expression levels: low levels in 36/56 samples (64.3 %) and high levels in 20/56 (35.7 %). Higher levels were found in 1, 2 and 4s stages (80 %), whereas 3 and 4 stages (20 %) showed a low expression, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.003). Among not amplified N-MYC group, 28 (60 %) had low/absent expression of HtrA1: seven with recurrent disease and negative outcome and 21 in continuous complete remission (CCR), whereas all samples with high expression of HtrA1 (17/44) were in CCR (p = 0.03). The immunohistochemical analysis showed localization of HtrA1 in differentiated areas higher than in undifferentiated areas where the protein was absent. Moreover, HtrA1 was highly expressed in all GNB samples. In conclusion, the over-expression of HtrA1 is correlated to cellular differentiation grade and stage of NB at diagnosis. Moreover, HtrA1 could represent a new marker of undifferentiation and biological aggressiveness of NB.

Synchronous bilateral Wilms tumor: a report from the Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP)

BACKGROUND

The optimal management of bilateral Wilms tumor (BWT) is challenging, and their survival is lower than for unilateral tumors. This report discusses a large series of BWTs treated in Italy in the last 2 decades.

METHODS

This analysis concerns patients with synchronous BWT registered at Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP) centers between 1990 and 2011; details on their treatment and outcome are presented and discussed.

RESULTS

Ninety BWTs were registered in the AIEOP Wilms tumor database. Preoperative chemotherapy was given for a median 12 weeks before definitive tumor resection was attempted. Forty-eight percent of the patients had preservation of bilateral renal parenchyma. The proportion of bilateral nephron-sparing surgeries was not higher in the 37 patients initially given doxorubicin/vincristine/actinomycin D (32%) than in the 43 children receiving vincristine/actinomycin D alone (58%). The 4-year disease-free survival rate was 66.5% ± 5% and overall survival was 80% ± 5% for the cohort as a whole. The 4-year disease-free survival (overall survival) for 18 children with diffuse anaplasia or postchemotherapy blastemal-type tumors was 51% ± 13% (62% ± 13%), as opposed to 72% ± 3% (88% ± 4%) for 68 children with a favorable histology (log-rank P = .04 [P = .007]).

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide further evidence that the optimal duration and choice of drugs for preoperative chemotherapy remain an open question. Outcome remained significantly worse for BWT than for unilateral Wilms tumor. To enable the conservative treatment of as many affected kidneys as possible, only centers with experience in BWT should manage such cases.

Prognostic factors in pleuro-pulmonary blastoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic factors in a series of children affected by pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinicopathological findings, treatment, and outcome of 22 PPB cases observed in 13 Italian Associations for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology centers are reported. Clinical data, surgical notes, pathologic findings, and summaries of treatment were taken from the charts and correlated with outcome by standard statistical methods.

RESULTS

The series included 22 patients (14 males) with a median age of 30.5 months followed up for a median of 22 months (range 2-176 months). In nine patients the PPB developed with lung involvement only. Congenital lung cysts were recorded in five cases. Nine patients had recurrences. Gender, side, tumor size, pre-existing lung cysts, and extent of surgical resection at diagnosis did not significantly affect survival by univariate analysis. Achieving total resection of the tumor at any time of treatment resulted in a significantly better prognosis (P = 0.01), whereas extrapulmonary involvement at diagnosis resulted in a significantly worse prognosis (P = 0.01). Estimated 15-year event-free and overall survival rates were 44 and 49% for all patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PPB is an aggressive neoplasm. Total resection of PPB performed at any time of treatment appears to provide a better outcome, whereas extrapulmonary involvement at diagnosis worsens the prognosis.

High frequency of colonization and absence of identifiable risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)in intensive care units in Brazil

Colonization of hospitalized patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is of increasing concern. To evaluate this problem in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Brazil, we studied 100 patients admitted to two ICUs from April to June, 1997. Of the 100 patients, 70 were male, 53 were age 60 years or older, 55 were previously hospitalized, 78 were transferred to the ICU from other hospital units, 49 had received antibiotic therapy, and 66 had undergone recent surgery. Nasal and axillary swab cultures were obtained on admission and every 48 hours thereafter until discharge. MRSA were identified by plating any cultured S. aureus on Mueller-Hinton agar containing 6 microg/ml of oxacillin. At the time of admission, 46 (46%) of the patients were colonized with MRSA. No associated risk factors for acquiring MRSA (age, previous hospitalization, prior surgery) could be identified. Of the 54 patients negative for MRSA on admission, 28 (52%) became colonized while in the ICU. Sixteen (22%) of the 74 colonized patients (colonized either on admission or during ICU stay) had associated respiratory or urinary tract infections due to MRSA, and 9 (56%) died. No correlation with special risk factors (invasive procedures, antibiotic use, age, chronic disease) was identified. MRSA occurred frequently, but there was minimal evidence of associated risk factors. Thus, control of MRSA cannot be accomplished by targeting special factors alone, but requires attention to preventing microbial spread in all areas. Of special concern is the high frequency of acquiring the organism in the ICU (52%). Education concerning the importance of hand washing, environmental surface cleaning, and barrier protection from infected patients is needed.

Aztreonam in the treatment of bacterial meningitis

The monobactam aztreonam was used to treat 22 young patients with meningitis caused by gram-negative bacilli. Haemophilus influenzae was isolated from the CSF of 21 patients and Salmonella heidelberg from the CSF of 1. Dosages ranged from 100 to 200 mg/kg/day in 4 doses at 6-hour intervals. Minimal inhibitory concentrations were determined by the broth dilution method for all isolated strains, and values ranged from 0.05 to 2.0 micrograms/ml. Blood and CSF drug levels were determined by a microbiologic plate diffusion method, and mean values for CSF and blood were 1.4 and 14.9 micrograms/ml, respectively. The outcome was good in 21 patients; 1 patient died. Complications were mild; subdural effusion occurred in 6 cases and was managed clinically; asymptomatic hydrocephalus was seen in 4; seizure during the acute phase occurred in 6 cases; hypoacusis was noted in 2, and motor impairment was detected at the follow-up in 1 case. Aztreonam achieved good blood and CSF penetration and performed well in the treatment of 20 cases of H. influenzae meningitis and in the one case of S. heidelberg meningitis.