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Nawi MA, Lau SCD, Chin ST, Teh KH, Ho LSB, Alias H. Caring for a child with cancer during COVID-19 pandemic: an assessment of the parents' perception and stress level. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1223362. [PMID: 38655523 PMCID: PMC11036860 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1223362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has led to heightened fear and uncertainty among parents of children with cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the parental perceptions toward effects of COVID-19 infection to children with cancer, determine their stress level and factors contributing to high stress level during the pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in three paediatric oncology centres in Malaysia from September 2020 until December 2022. A total of 167 parents were recruited. Parents completed a set of questionnaires to assess their perception on effect of COVID-19 infection to children with cancer and COVID Stress Scale (CSS) to assess the parents' stress level. Results Patients' mean age at study entry was 8.75 years (SD 4.38). Ninety-one (54.5%) patients were still on active treatment. More than 80% of the parents obtained information regarding COVID-19 infection from mass media and social networking. Fear of their children contracting COVID-19 infection was high especially among patients who were still on treatment. Forty-nine (29.3%) parents were significantly affected by the pandemic leading to loss of job or monthly income. Twenty-nine (17.4%) patients required treatment modification during the pandemic. The median total score for CSS was 78.0 (IQR 25th 64.0; 75th 95.0). Ninety-one (54.5%) respondents were very/extremely stressed based on the CSS scores. Components with high scores were xenophobia (median score 18.0; IQR 25th 13.0, 75th 22.0), fear of danger (median score 17.0; IQR 25th 14.0, 75th 20.0) and contamination fears (median score 16.0; IQR 25th 12.0, 75th 19.0). Lower household income was associated with higher stress level (p = 0.006). Conclusion Our study demonstrated high awareness regarding risk of COVID-19 infection among parents of oncology children. Half of the parents had high stress level, with low household income identified as a factor associated with high stress level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhamad Aizat Nawi
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sie Chong Doris Lau
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shi Tying Chin
- Department of Paediatrics, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Kok Hoi Teh
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tunku Azizah, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lee Sue Betty Ho
- Department of Paediatrics, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Hamidah Alias
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Mazariego CG, McKay S, Tyedmers E, Kelada L, McGill BC, Daly R, Wakefield CE, Ziegler DS, Taylor N. Co-design of a paediatric oncology medicines database (ProCure) to support complex care provision for children with a hard-to-treat cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1332434. [PMID: 38606155 PMCID: PMC11007026 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1332434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Paediatric oncologists often encounter challenges when seeking compassionate access to off-label therapies for their patients. This study employed implementation science and co-design techniques to develop the ProCure medicines database, with the goal of streamlining the application process and addressing identified barriers in paediatric oncology. Methods This study utilised an exploratory qualitative research design. Seventeen healthcare providers, including oncologists, nurse consultants, and allied health professionals, participated in semi-structured interviews guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and a visual process map aid. Deductive qualitative data analysis, according to the CFIR constructs, identified key barriers and facilitators. Collaborative design sessions engaged multidisciplinary teams to develop the ProCure beta version. Results Barriers to off-label therapy access included resource-intensive applications, time sensitive decision-making, and complex pharmaceutical information. Facilitators included Drug Access Navigators, Molecular Tumour Boards, and a multi-disciplinary approach. ProCure addressed end-user needs by centralising medicines information. Additional features suggested by healthcare providers included blood-brain-barrier penetrability data and successful application examples. Conclusion ProCure represents a promising solution to the challenges paediatric oncologists face in accessing off-label therapies. By centralising information, it simplifies the application process, aids decision-making, and promotes a collaborative approach to patient care. The potential of the database to stream and enhance off-label therapy access underscores its relevance in improving paediatric oncology practise. Further research and implementation efforts are warranted to assess ProCure's real-world impact and refine its features based on user feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn G. Mazariego
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Skye McKay
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elijah Tyedmers
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lauren Kelada
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brittany C. McGill
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca Daly
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Claire E. Wakefield
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David S. Ziegler
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie Taylor
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Agrawal S, Sahoo B, Kumar K, Malhotra S, Sibal A. Hepatoblastoma in a cirrhotic child with Alagille syndrome. BMJ Case Rep 2024; 17:e253080. [PMID: 38417945 PMCID: PMC10900336 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-253080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Alagille syndrome (AGS) is a genetic disorder due to mutations in the JAGGED 1 or NOTCH 2 genes leading to multisystemic manifestations. Though these patients are at risk of developing various liver tumours, no cases of hepatoblastoma among young children with cirrhosis in AGS have been reported. We report a male toddler, with cirrhosis due to AGS who developed a hepatoblastoma. He underwent a liver transplant for decompensated chronic liver disease with marked pruritus, very high alpha-fetoprotein levels and malignant liver lesions on positron emission tomography CT. His explant histology revealed a paucity of bile ducts and liver lesions turned out to be hepatoblastoma for which he received postoperative chemotherapy. The genetic testing sent before transplantation confirmed the clinical diagnosis of AGS. Hepatoblastoma should be suspected in any child with AGS presenting with a right upper quadrant mass even in the setting of chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Agrawal
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Bishnupriya Sahoo
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Karunesh Kumar
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Smita Malhotra
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Anupam Sibal
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India
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Aldiss S, Hollis R, Phillips B, Ball-Gamble A, Brownsdon A, Chisholm J, Crowther S, Dommett R, Gower J, Hall NJ, Hartley H, Hatton J, Henry L, Langton L, Maddock K, Malik S, McEvoy K, Morgan JE, Morris H, Parke S, Picton S, Reed-Berendt R, Saunders D, Stewart A, Tarplee-Morris W, Walsh A, Watkins A, Weller D, Gibson F. Research priorities for children's cancer: a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership in the UK. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e077387. [PMID: 38128939 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To engage children who have experienced cancer, childhood cancer survivors, their families and professionals to systematically identify and prioritise research questions about childhood cancer to inform the future research agenda. DESIGN James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership. SETTING UK health service and community. METHODS A steering group oversaw the initiative. Potential research questions were collected in an online survey, then checked to ensure they were unanswered. Shortlisting via a second online survey identified the highest priority questions. A parallel process with children was undertaken. A final consensus workshop was held to determine the Top 10 priorities. PARTICIPANTS Children and survivors of childhood cancer, diagnosed before age 16, their families, friends and professionals who work with this population. RESULTS Four hundred and eighty-eight people submitted 1299 potential questions. These were refined into 108 unique questions; 4 were already answered and 3 were under active study, therefore, removed. Three hundred and twenty-seven respondents completed the shortlisting survey. Seventy-one children submitted questions in the children's surveys, eight children attended a workshop to prioritise these questions. The Top 5 questions from children were taken to the final workshop where 23 questions in total were discussed by 25 participants (young adults, carers and professionals). The top priority was 'can we find effective and kinder (less burdensome, more tolerable, with fewer short and long-term effects) treatments for children with cancer, including relapsed cancer?' CONCLUSIONS We have identified research priorities for children's cancer from the perspectives of children, survivors, their families and the professionals who care for them. Questions reflect the breadth of the cancer experience, including diagnosis, relapse, hospital experience, support during/after treatment and the long-term impact of cancer. These should inform funding of future research as they are the questions that matter most to the people who could benefit from research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susie Aldiss
- School of Health Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | | | - Bob Phillips
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
- Hull-York Medical School and Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - Alex Brownsdon
- Patient Representative on the Children's Cancer Priority Setting Partnership Steering Group, London, UK
| | - Julia Chisholm
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK
- Institute of Cancer Research Sutton, Sutton, UK
| | - Scott Crowther
- Parent Representative on the Children's Cancer Priority Setting Partnership Steering Group, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Jonathan Gower
- James Lind Alliance, National Institute for Health Research Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Southampton, UK
| | - Nigel J Hall
- Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton, UK
- University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
| | - Helen Hartley
- Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jenni Hatton
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Louise Henry
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK
| | - Loveday Langton
- Parent Representative on the Children's Cancer Priority Setting Partnership Steering Group, London, UK
| | | | | | - Keeley McEvoy
- Medical Needs Teaching Service, Leeds Children's Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Jessica Elizabeth Morgan
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Helen Morris
- Children, Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Operational Delivery Network, South West, Bristol, UK
| | - Simon Parke
- Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Rosa Reed-Berendt
- Psychological Services, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Dan Saunders
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Andy Stewart
- Parent Representative on the Children's Cancer Priority Setting Partnership Steering Group, Perth, UK
| | | | - Amy Walsh
- Parent Representative on the Children's Cancer Priority Setting Partnership Steering Group, Keswick, UK
| | - Anna Watkins
- Parent Representative on the Children's Cancer Priority Setting Partnership Steering Group, London, UK
| | - David Weller
- The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Faith Gibson
- School of Health Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
- Centre for Outcomes and Experience Research in Child Health, Illness and Disability (ORCHID), Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Chirlaque MD, Peris-Bonet R, Sánchez A, Cruz O, Marcos-Gragera R, Gutiérrez-Ávila G, Quirós-García JR, Almela-Vich F, López de Munain A, Sánchez MJ, Franch-Sureda P, Ardanaz E, Galceran J, Martos C, Salmerón D, Gatta G, Botta L, Cañete A. Childhood and Adolescent Central Nervous System Tumours in Spain: Incidence and Survival over 20 Years: A Historical Baseline for Current Assessment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5889. [PMID: 38136432 PMCID: PMC10742240 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms are highly frequent solid tumours in children and adolescents. While some studies have shown a rise in their incidence in Europe, others have not. Survival remains limited. We addressed two questions about these tumours in Spain: (1) Is incidence increasing? and (2) Has survival improved? METHODS This population-based study included 1635 children and 328 adolescents from 11 population-based cancer registries with International Classification of Childhood Cancer Group III tumours, incident in 1983-2007. Age-specific and age-standardised (world population) incidence rates (ASRws) were calculated. Incidence time trends were characterised using annual percent change (APC) obtained with Joinpoint. Cases from 1991 to 2005 (1171) were included in Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, and the results were evaluated with log-rank and log-rank for trend tests. Children's survival was age-standardised using: (1) the age distribution of cases and the corresponding trends assessed with Joinpoint; and (2) European weights for comparison with Europe. RESULTS ASRw 1983-2007: children: 32.7 cases/106; adolescents: 23.5 cases/106. The overall incidence of all tumours increased across 1983-2007 in children and adolescents. Considering change points, the APCs were: (1) children: 1983-1993, 4.3%^ (1.1; 7.7); 1993-2007, -0.2% (-1.9; 1.6); (2) adolescents: 1983-2004: 2.9%^ (0.9; 4.9); 2004-2007: -7.7% (-40; 41.9). For malignant tumours, the trends were not significant. 5-year survival was 65% (1991-2005), with no significant trends (except for non-malignant tumours). CONCLUSIONS CNS tumour incidence in Spain was found to be similar to that in Europe. Rises in incidence may be mostly attributable to changes in the registration of non-malignant tumours. The overall malignant CNS tumour trend was compatible with reports for Southern Europe. Survival was lower than in Europe, without improvement over time. We provide a baseline for assessing current paediatric oncology achievements and incidence in respect of childhood and adolescent CNS tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria D. Chirlaque
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.C.); (R.M.-G.); (M.J.S.); (E.A.); (D.S.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Murcia Regional Health Authority, 30071 Murcia, Spain;
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Council, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia University, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Rafael Peris-Bonet
- Spanish Registry of Childhood Tumours (RETI-SEHOP), University of Valencia, Faculty of Medicine, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonia Sánchez
- Department of Epidemiology, Murcia Regional Health Authority, 30071 Murcia, Spain;
| | - Ofelia Cruz
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Paediatric Cancer Centre, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Rafael Marcos-Gragera
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.C.); (R.M.-G.); (M.J.S.); (E.A.); (D.S.)
- Epidemiology Unit and Girona Cancer Registry, Oncology Co-Ordination Plan, Catalonian Oncology Institute, 17004 Girona, Spain
- Josep Trueta Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Salt, 17190 Girona, Spain
- Statistics, Econometrics and Health Research Group (GRECS), University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | | | | | - Fernando Almela-Vich
- Valencian Regional Childhood Cancer Registry, Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance Department, General Subdirectorate of Epidemiology and Health Surveillance, General Directorate of Public Health and Addictions, Regional Public Health Authority, Valencian Regional Authority, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Arantza López de Munain
- Basque Country Cancer Registry, Health Department, Basque Country Regional Authority, 01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain;
| | - Maria J. Sánchez
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.C.); (R.M.-G.); (M.J.S.); (E.A.); (D.S.)
- Andalusian School of Public Health (EASP), 18011 Granada, Spain
- Granada Bio-Health Research Institute, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Paula Franch-Sureda
- Mallorca Cancer Registry, General Directorate of Public Health and Participation, Balearic Isles Health Research Institute (IdISBa), 07010 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
| | - Eva Ardanaz
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.C.); (R.M.-G.); (M.J.S.); (E.A.); (D.S.)
- Navarre Public Health Institute, 31003 Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarre Health Research Institute, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jaume Galceran
- Tarragona Cancer Registry, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Service, Sant Joan de Reus University Teaching Hospital, 43204 Reus, Spain;
- Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Rovira i Virgili University (URV), 43003 Reus, Spain
| | - Carmen Martos
- Rare Diseases Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), 46020 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Diego Salmerón
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.C.); (R.M.-G.); (M.J.S.); (E.A.); (D.S.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Council, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia University, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Gemma Gatta
- Evaluative Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Laura Botta
- Evaluative Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Adela Cañete
- Spanish Registry of Childhood Tumours (RETI-SEHOP), University of Valencia, Faculty of Medicine, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Paediatric Oncology Department, La Fe Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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Afungchwi GM, Kiteni E, Ndagire M, Maliti B, Kunkel R, Challinor JM, Hollis R. Current status and priorities of paediatric oncology nursing in Africa: a synthesis of perspectives from SIOP Africa nurses. Ecancermedicalscience 2023; 17:1585. [PMID: 37799941 PMCID: PMC10550298 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2023.1585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction As African countries adopt the global goal of improving childhood cancer survival to 60% by 2030, intentional actions are required to improve nursing. This report aims to describe the current status of paediatric oncology nursing in Africa. Methods We report on nursing-related aspects of a survey to map paediatric oncology services in Africa (2018-2019), document perceived nursing strengths and weaknesses (2017) and share nurses' research priorities (2019). Additionally, we report on a survey to identify topics for a foundation course (2019) and the expressed perspective of African nurses about the status of paediatric oncology nursing across the continent (2022). Results Only 21% of respondents in the African mapping survey reported having nurses who care for children with cancer at least 75% of the time. Many centres do not have allied health workers like dieticians and play therapists, thus contributing to the nursing burden of care. The main strength of African paediatric oncology nurses was the humanisation of care, while the major weakness was the lack of training follow-up. The top research priorities focused on professional practice and psychosocial support. The Delphi survey identified 57 topic areas grouped into a 12-module curriculum for nurses new to paediatric oncology. The nurses affirmed their dedication to providing compassionate care, however, noted their vulnerability to harm and called for better specialisation, recognition and remuneration. Conclusion This paper amplifies the voice of African paediatric oncology nurses. It illuminates the room for improvement and provides a reference point for future comparison.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rachael Kunkel
- Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
| | - Julia M Challinor
- University of California San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Rachel Hollis
- Leeds Children's Hospital, Clarendon Wing, LS1 3EX Leeds, UK
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Valle-Simón P, Borobia AM, Pérez-Martínez A. Clinical research with targeted drugs in paediatric oncology. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103672. [PMID: 37330039 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The development of targeted drugs in paediatric oncology has been notoriously slow, in part due to the peculiarities of this rare and highly heterogeneous population. To provide therapeutic breakthroughs for the highest risk subgroups of childhood cancer, innovative research solutions have been implemented in the last several years by different international collaborative groups and regulators. Here, we discuss and summarise some of these approaches, as well as challenges and unmet needs that are still being addressed. A wide range of topics were covered in this review including molecular diagnosis optimisation, innovative research methodologies, big data approaches, trial enrolment strategies, and improvements in regulation and preclinical research platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Valle-Simón
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Idipaz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alberto M Borobia
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, La Paz University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- Paediatric Haemato-Oncology Department, La Paz University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
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Fuentes Bolanos NA, Padhye B, Daley M, Hunter J, Hetherington K, Warby M, Courtney E, Kirk J, Josephi-Taylor S, Chen Y, Alvaro F, Barlow-Stewart K, Wong-Erasmus M, Barahona P, Ajuyah P, Altekoester AK, Tyrrell VJ, Lau LMS, Wakefield C, Sylvester D, Tucker K, Pinese M, Dalla Pozza L, O'Brien TA. Protocol for a comprehensive prospective cohort study of trio-based whole-genome sequencing for underlying cancer predisposition in paediatric and adolescent patients newly diagnosed with cancer: the PREDICT study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070082. [PMID: 37253493 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Identifying an underlying germline cancer predisposition (CP) in a child with cancer has potentially significant implications for both the child and biological relatives. Cohort studies indicate that 10%-15% of paediatric cancer patients carry germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in cancer predisposition genes, but many of these patients do not meet current clinical criteria for genetic testing. This suggests broad tumour agnostic germline testing may benefit paediatric cancer patients. However, the utility and psychosocial impact of this approach remain unknown. We hypothesise that an approach involving trio whole-genome germline sequencing (trio WGS) will identify children and families with an underlying CP in a timely fashion, that the trio design will streamline cancer risk counselling to at-risk relatives if CP was inherited, and that trio testing will not have a negative psychosocial impact on families. METHOD AND ANALYSIS To test this, we present the Cancer PREDisposition In Childhood by Trio sequencing study (PREDICT). This study will assess the clinical utility of trio WGS to identify CP in unselected patients with cancer 21 years or younger in New South Wales, Australia. PREDICT will perform analysis of biological parents to determine heritability and will examine the psychosocial impact of this trio sequencing approach. PREDICT also includes a broad genomics research programme to identify new candidate genes associated with childhood cancer risk. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION By evaluating the feasibility, utility and psychosocial impact of trio WGS to identify CP in paediatric cancer, PREDICT will inform how such comprehensive testing can be incorporated into a standard of care at diagnosis for all childhood cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04903782.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Auxiliadora Fuentes Bolanos
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bhavna Padhye
- Cancer Centre for Children, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Kids Research, Children's Cancer Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Macabe Daley
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Hunter
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate Hetherington
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Meera Warby
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Hereditary Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre - NCCC, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eliza Courtney
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Judy Kirk
- Familial Cancer Service, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah Josephi-Taylor
- Department of Clinical Genetics, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Discipline of Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yuyan Chen
- Kids Research, Children's Cancer Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Frank Alvaro
- Paediatric Oncology Service, John Hunter Children's Hospital, Hunter Region Mail Centre, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kristine Barlow-Stewart
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marie Wong-Erasmus
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paulette Barahona
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Pamela Ajuyah
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ann-Kristin Altekoester
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanessa J Tyrrell
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Loretta M S Lau
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Claire Wakefield
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dianne Sylvester
- Kids Research, Children's Cancer Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katherine Tucker
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Hereditary Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre - NCCC, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Pinese
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Luciano Dalla Pozza
- Cancer Centre for Children, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tracey A O'Brien
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Sciancalepore F, Fabozzi F, Albino G, Del Baldo G, Di Ruscio V, Laus B, Menegatti D, Premuselli R, Secco DE, Tozzi AE, Lacorte E, Vanacore N, Carai A, Mastronuzzi A. Frequency and characterization of cognitive impairments in patients diagnosed with paediatric central nervous system tumours: a systematic review. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1198521. [PMID: 37274224 PMCID: PMC10235613 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1198521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This systematic review has been conducted with the aim of characterizing cognitive deficits and analyzing their frequency in survivors of paediatric Central Nervous System tumours. Materials and methods All literature published up to January 2023 was retrieved searching the databases "PubMed", "Cochrane", "APA PsycInfo" and "CINAHL". The following set of pre-defined inclusion criteria were then individually applied to the selected articles in their full-text version: i) Retrospective/prospective longitudinal observational studies including only patients diagnosed with primary cerebral tumours at ≤ 21 years (range 0-21); ii) Studies including patients evaluated for neuro-cognitive and neuro-psychological deficits from their diagnosis and/or from anti-tumoral therapies; iii) Studies reporting standardized tests evaluating patients' neuro-cognitive and neuro-psychological performances; iv) Patients with follow-ups ≥ 2 years from the end of their anti-tumoral therapies; v) Studies reporting frequencies of cognitive deficits. Results 39 studies were included in the analysis. Of these, 35 assessed intellectual functioning, 30 examined memory domains, 24 assessed executive functions, 22 assessed attention, 16 examined visuo-spatial skills, and 15 explored language. A total of 34 studies assessed more than one cognitive function, only 5 studies limited their analysis on a single cognitive domain. Attention impairments were the most recurrent in this population, with a mean frequency of 52.3% after a median period post-treatment of 11.5 years. The other cognitive functions investigated in the studies showed a similar frequency of impairments, with executive functions, language, visuospatial skills and memory deficits occurring in about 40% of survivors after a similar post-treatment period. Longitudinal studies included in the systematic review showed a frequent decline over time of intellectual functioning. Conclusions Survivors of paediatric Central Nervous System tumours experience cognitive sequelae characterized by significant impairments in the attention domain (52.3%), but also in the other cognitive functions. Future studies in this research field need to implement more cognitive interventions and effective, but less neurotoxic, tumour therapies to preserve or improve neurocognitive functioning and quality of life of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Sciancalepore
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Fabozzi
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Cell Therapy Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Albino
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Cell Therapy Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Giada Del Baldo
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Cell Therapy Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Di Ruscio
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Cell Therapy Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Danilo Menegatti
- University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering (DIAG), Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Premuselli
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Cell Therapy Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Domitilla Elena Secco
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Cell Therapy Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Eugenio Tozzi
- Multifactorial and Complex Diseases Research Area, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Lacorte
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Vanacore
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Cell Therapy Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
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10
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Ghaljeh M, Rezaee N, Mardani-Hamooleh M. Nurses' effort for providing end-of-life care in paediatric oncology: a phenomenological study. Int J Palliat Nurs 2023; 29:188-195. [PMID: 37079471 DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2023.29.4.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many children with cancer are hospitalised before the end of life and need special care. To improve the delivery of care for children, it is necessary to understand the insights, emotions and feelings of nurses. AIM This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses providing end-of-life care for children with cancer. METHODS A phenomenological hermeneutic approach was used to analyse the experience of 14 oncology nurses working in a children's hospital who were caring for children with cancer. FINDINGS Three themes and seven subthemes emerged from the analysis. The three main themes were: pain management (relieving physical pain and reducing the mental pain of the child and family); respect-based care (for the values and beliefs of the child and family and honesty in providing information to them); and negative reflections of care (psychological trauma, cultural challenges and futile care). CONCLUSION The results of the present study showed that, despite the problems experienced by the nurses, they were still trying to provide life-sustaining care for children with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahnaz Ghaljeh
- Community Nursing Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Nasrin Rezaee
- Community Nursing Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Marjan Mardani-Hamooleh
- Department of Nursing, Center for Nursing Care Research, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Liu Q, Ho KY, Lam KKW, Ho JMC, Lam W, Ma P, Abu-Odah H, Belay GM, Ling DL, Ching SSY, Wong FKY. Effectiveness of spiritual interventions on psychological outcomes and quality of life among paediatric patients with cancer: a study protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070810. [PMID: 36882254 PMCID: PMC10008432 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer and its treatment affect children's physical, psychological and social well-being throughout the disease trajectory. Spiritual well-being is a fundamental dimension of people's overall health and is considered a source of strength to motivate patients to cope with and adapt to their disease. Appropriate spiritual interventions are important to mitigate the psychological impact of cancer on children, with an ultimate goal of improving their quality of life (QoL) throughout the treatment course. However, the overall effectiveness of spiritual interventions for paediatric patients with cancer remains unclear. This paper describes a protocol to systematically summarise the characteristics of studies related to existing spiritual interventions and synthesise their effectiveness on psychological outcomes and QoL among children with cancer. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Ten databases will be searched to identify appropriate literature: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, LILACS, OpenSIGLE, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, the Chinese Medical Current Contents and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. All randomised controlled trials that meet our inclusion criteria will be included. The primary outcome will be QoL as evaluated by self-reported measures. The secondary outcomes will be self-reported or objectively measured psychological outcomes, including anxiety and depression. Review Manager V.5.3 will be used to synthesise the data, calculate treatment effects, perform any subgroup analyses and assess the risk of bias in included studies. ETHICAL AND DISSEMINATION The results will be presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. As no individual data will be involved in this review, ethical approval is not required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka Yan Ho
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | | | | | - Winsome Lam
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Polly Ma
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hammoda Abu-Odah
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Dong-Lan Ling
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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Abstract
In recent years, the influence of nutrition on the health and growth of children has become increasingly important. The relevance of nutrition is even greater for children who are facing cancer. Malnutrition, within the context of undernutrition and overnutrition, may impact not only the effectiveness of treatments and outcomes, but also the quality of life for patients and their families. In this article, we review nutritional assessment methods for children with cancer, focusing on the specific characteristics of this population and analyze the efficacy of nutritional interventions, which include enteral, parenteral, and nutritional education. From our analysis, two important conclusions emerged: i) there is a need to focus our attention on the nutritional status and the body composition of oncologic children, since these factors have a relevant impact on clinical outcomes during treatment as well as after their conclusion; ii) the support of skilled clinical nutrition personnel would be extremely helpful for the global management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Ilaria Tripodi
- Paediatric Haematology and Oncology,
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- Serena Ilaria Tripodi, Paediatric
Haematology and Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Golgi
19, Pavia, 27100, Italy.
| | - Elena Bergami
- Paediatric Haematology and Oncology,
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Arianna Panigari
- Paediatric Haematology and Oncology,
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Valentina Caissutti
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit,
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlotta Brovia
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit,
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marica De Cicco
- Paediatric Haematology and Oncology,
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- Cell Factory, Fondazione IRCCS
Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cereda
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit,
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Caccialanza
- Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit,
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Zecca
- Paediatric Haematology and Oncology,
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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13
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de Rojas T, Kearns P, Blanc P, Skolnik J, Fox E, Knox L, Rousseau R, Doz F, Bird N, Pearson AJ, Vassal G. Changing incentives to ACCELERATE drug development for paediatric cancer. Cancer Med 2023; 12:8825-8837. [PMID: 36645217 PMCID: PMC10134303 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More effective incentives are needed to motivate paediatric oncology drug development, uncoupling it from dependency on adult drug development. Although the current European and North-American legislations aim to promote drug development for paediatrics and rare diseases, children and adolescents with cancer have not benefited as expected from these initiatives and cancer remains the first cause of death by disease in children older than one. Drug development for childhood cancer remains dependent on adult cancer indications and their potential market. The balance between the investment needed to execute a Paediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) in Europe and an initial Paediatric Study Plan (iPSP) in the US, coupled with the potential financial reward has not been sufficiently attractive to incite the pharmaceutical industry to develop drugs for rare indications such as childhood cancer. METHODS We propose changes in the timing and nature of the rewards within the European Paediatric Medicine Regulation (PMR) and Regulation on Orphan Medicinal Products (both currently under review), which would drive earlier initiation of paediatric oncology studies and provide incentives for drug development specifically for childhood indications. RESULTS We suggest modifying the PMR to ensure mechanism-of-action driven mandatory PIP and reorganization of incentives to a stepwise and incremental approach. Interim and final deliverables should be defined within a PIP or iPSP, each attracting a reward on completion. A crucial change would be the introduction of the interim deliverable requiring production of paediatric data that inform the go/no-go decisions on whether to take a drug forward to paediatric efficacy trials. CONCLUSION Additionally, to address the critical gap in the current framework where there is a complete lack of incentives to promote paediatric-specific cancer drug development, we propose the introduction of early rewards in the Orphan Regulation, with a variant on the US-Creating Hope Act and its priority review vouchers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pamela Kearns
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Patricia Blanc
- Imagine for Margo - Children Without Cancer, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France
| | - Jeffrey Skolnik
- INOVIO Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth Fox
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | - François Doz
- SIREDO Centre (Care, Innovation Research in Paediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology), Institut Curie, Paris, France.,Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium.,Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1015, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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14
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Harris Z, Kaizer H, Wei A, Karantanos T, Williams DM, Chaturvedi S, Jain T, Resar L, Moliterno AR, Braunstein EM. Characterization of myeloproliferative neoplasms in the paediatric and young adult population. Br J Haematol 2023; 201:449-458. [PMID: 36647302 PMCID: PMC10121873 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the genomic features and clinical outcomes between paediatric and young adult patients (PAYA, <40 years) and older adults (OA, ≥40 years) with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) to gain insight into pathogenesis, disease prognosis and management. Of 630 MPN patients, 171 (27%) were PAYA with an average age at diagnosis of 31 years. Females were more prevalent in PAYA than OA (71% vs 58%; p = 0.002), and PAYA more frequently presented with essential thrombocytosis (ET) at diagnosis (67% vs 39%; p < 0.001). The presence of a JAK2 somatic mutation was higher in OA (80.4% vs 64.3%; p < 0.001), while a CALR mutation or lack of any traditional driver mutation was more common in PAYA (20.5% vs 10.5%; p = 0.001, 8.8% vs 3.7%; p = 0.01 respectively). Venous thrombosis was more common in PAYA compared to OA (19.8% vs 10.7%; p = 0.002). PAYA had a higher prevalence of familial MPN and familial cancer predisposition, and two PAYA patients harboured pathogenic germline JAK2 lesions. PAYA demonstrated longer survival from diagnosis than OA (median not reached vs 13 years), while disease transformation was less frequent (19.3% vs 37.9%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoey Harris
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hannah Kaizer
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aria Wei
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Theodoros Karantanos
- Division of Hematological Malignancies, Department of Medical Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Donna M Williams
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shruti Chaturvedi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tania Jain
- Division of Hematological Malignancies, Department of Medical Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Linda Resar
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alison R Moliterno
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Evan M Braunstein
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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15
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Brink A, Hlongwa KN, More S. The Impact of PET/CT on Paediatric Oncology. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13020192. [PMID: 36673002 PMCID: PMC9857884 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This review paper will discuss the use of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in paediatric oncology. Functional imaging with PET/CT has proven useful to guide treatment by accurately staging disease and limiting unnecessary treatments by determining the metabolic response to treatment. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (2-[18F]FDG) PET/CT is routinely used in patients with lymphoma. We highlight specific considerations in the paediatric population with lymphoma. The strengths and weaknesses for PET/CT tracers that compliment Meta-[123I]iodobenzylguanidine ([123I]mIBG) for the imaging of neuroblastoma are summarized. 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT has increasingly been used in the staging and evaluation of disease response in sarcomas. The current recommendations for the use of PET/CT in sarcomas are given and potential future developments and highlighted. 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT in combination with conventional imaging is currently the standard for disease evaluation in children with Langerhans-cell Histiocytosis (LCH) and the non-LCH disease spectrum. The common pitfalls of 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT in this setting are discussed.
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16
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Lasala R, Santoleri F, Zanon D, Romagnoli A, Abrate P, Costantini A, Musicco F. Available information about paediatric use of onco-haematological drugs authorized by EMA since 2016. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2023; 29:83-87. [PMID: 34693799 DOI: 10.1177/10781552211053251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment options available to children with cancer are limited. This is why for more than 10 years, the European Medicine Agency (EMA) has stated that all drugs to be marketed must be tested on the paediatric population in accordance with the Paediatric Investigation Plan (PIP). The objective of this study is to make a cross sectional analysis of the information related to the use of cancer drugs authorised on the European market in the paediatric population. METHOD The European Public Assessment Reports and PIPs have been considered. The following data were extracted for onco-haematological drugs approved since 2016: paediatric indications, information about the paediatric population in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and presence and characteristics of PIPs. A descriptive analysis of the characteristics of the drugs was made from the point of view of the paediatric population. RESULTS Forty-eight drugs with onco-haematological indications have been authorised for marketing since 2016, 7 (15%) of these have paediatric indications. Two (4%) drugs have no paediatric indication but have information related to the paediatric population within SmPC. Forty-one (85%) drugs have no reference to the paediatric population in SmPC. Seventeen (35%) drugs out of 48 do not have PIPs and 11 have been granted a waiver to present the results of paediatric studies. The other 19 active ingredients have a total of 28 PIPs. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Most of the onco-haematological drugs approved by EMA since 2016 have neither paediatric indications nor mentions about paediatric use in SmPC. PIPs represent an opportunity, but demand for the paediatric population is still huge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Davide Zanon
- Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacology Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS 18705"Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessia Romagnoli
- Hospital Pharmacy of "Santo Spirito" General Hospital, Pescara, Italy
| | | | | | - Felice Musicco
- Hospital Pharmacy, 18659IFO Regina Elena San Gallicano, Rome, Italy
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Muacevic A, Adler JR. A Giant Compressive Mesenteric Lipoblastoma Initially Suspected to Be Abdominal Malignancy: A Report of a Rare Case in a Nine-Month-Old Infant. Cureus 2023; 15:e33799. [PMID: 36660240 PMCID: PMC9845517 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipoblastoma is a rare benign soft tissue neoplasm rising from embryonic white adipose tissue known as lipoblast that keeps proliferating during the postnatal period. Although lipoblastomas are benign, they often grow rapidly. Most lipoblastomas are asymptomatic at presentation; they can present as a growing painless palpable mass and progressive symptoms of various organ compression depending on localization. A giant mesenteric lipoblastoma is a rare case with only a few cases reported. An infant with large intraabdominal masses may present preoperative diagnostic difficulties. Differential diagnoses are broad and may include sarcomas, germ-cell tumors, lipomas, lymphomas, hepatoblastomas, Wilm's tumors, and neuroblastomas. Thorough clinical, radiological, and pathological investigations are ultimately required to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Regardless of location, the treatment of choice for lipoblastoma is complete surgical resection. All patients should be followed up for a minimum of five years We report a rare case of a giant compressive mesenteric lipoblastoma that was initially suspected as abdominal malignancy in a nine-month-old infant. As physicians, we must always consider the underlying cause as well as the malignant or benign nature of a growing mass to treat the patient appropriately.
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Erdős S, Horváth K. The Impact of Virtual Reality (VR) on Psychological and Physiological Variables in Children Receiving Chemotherapy: A Pilot Cross-Over Study. Integr Cancer Ther 2023; 22:15347354231168984. [PMID: 37232275 DOI: 10.1177/15347354231168984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Virtual reality (VR) is a novel technology which provides a great opportunity to reduce some of the adverse effects of chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE Our study aims to investigate the effects of VR on the emotional states of paediatric oncology patients (n = 29, age: 10-18 years) receiving chemotherapy in a clinical setting with a crossover design. METHODS Children played a VR game in the experimental, and a mobile game in the control condition. Psychological (happiness, joy, fear, nervousness, anxiety, alertness, patience) and physiological variables (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, electrodermal activity), as well as pain and nausea were measured before and after the sessions. Data were analysed with multiple 2-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS Joy (P = .003) and happiness (P < .001) increased significantly when using VR, while there was no change in the control condition. Anxiety decreased (P = .002) and patience increased (P = .015) in both conditions, implying no additional benefit of VR. Children were more fearful before the VR session (P = .005), which disappeared after it. In case of physiological parameters, electrodermal activity decreased (P = .01) significantly after playing the mobile game, but not after the VR one. CONCLUSIONS Our investigation point to the positive effects of VR on mood in paediatric oncology inpatients, thus, it could be used as a new tool in improving patients' well-being during chemotherapeutical treatment. Our results indicate that VR is an effective tool in improving patients' well-being during chemotherapeutic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Erdős
- Department of Paediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Klára Horváth
- Department of Paediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Barušić AK. The emerging role of olanzapine in paediatric CINV control: A review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e32116. [PMID: 36550859 PMCID: PMC9771166 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a serious side effect of chemotherapy that negatively impacts the quality of life of oncological patients and is associated with the emetogenic risk specific to administered chemotherapy. Current practice guidelines on the use of antiemetics in CINV include the option of adding olanzapine to antiemetic regimens in the management of adult CINV. The use of olanzapine in pediatric CINV has been restricted to children with poor CINV control. Research on the use of olanzapine in pediatric CINV has been limited. The aim of this review was to evaluate current evidence on the effective and safe antiemetic use of olanzapine in pediatric CINV of any type following chemotherapy of any emetogenicity. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL databases were searched for any literature on the use of olanzapine in pediatric CINV published from 2015 to 2022. Studies that reported on the olanzapine-containing antiemetic regimen in peadiatric CINV control specifically were included. Search restrictions were placed on research published in English. The search generated 43 records that were assessed for eligibility. Out of 10 identified eligible studies a third were RCT. Findings of this review suggest that adding olanzapine to antiemetic regimen in pediatric CINV control is a worthwhile consideration. Further research is needed to establish the efficacy and safety of antiemetic olanzapine use in pediatric CINV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabella Karla Barušić
- The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are publicly available. The Psychoncology Team, Department of Child & Adolescent Psychological Medicine, University Collage Hospital, London, UK
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20
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Hou SHJ, Schulte FSM. An investigation of cultural influences in survivors of paediatric cancer: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e062452. [PMID: 36414296 PMCID: PMC9685191 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Paediatric cancer affects children and families from diverse backgrounds. However, there is a limited understanding of how diversity/cultural factors play a role, especially in survivorship. This protocol outlines a systematic review on the cultural influences in survivors of childhood cancer. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This protocol is reported based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines checklist and is registered with PROSPERO. EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO are searched. Eligibility criteria include original research studies published in English, and an assessment of culture on survivors of childhood cancer. Search terms are developed with a medical librarian. Primary objective will be to describe culture (ethnic and population groups, migration status, acculturation, cultural characteristics) in survivors of paediatric cancer and study characteristics and methods. Secondary objective will be to identify the role of culture in outcomes of survivors of paediatric cancer. Data extraction will include participant characteristics such as the number of participants and/or controls, sex, age at diagnosis. Extraction will also include analytical approaches, type of cultural variables (predictor, moderator, mediator, outcome) and effect measures. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval was not required for this systematic review. Results from this systematic review will be disseminated in line with PRISMA guidelines through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Findings will also be shared with our target communities, including survivors of childhood cancer and their families, through the creation of lay summaries and/or educational workshops in the community. Knowledge gathered from this review may help to identify gaps in knowledge and directions for future research. They may also inform the development of clinical recommendations for healthcare providers of survivors of childhood cancer. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021234101.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon H J Hou
- Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Psychology, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Fiona S M Schulte
- Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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21
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Milner S, Feltbower RG, Absolom K, Glaser A. Identifying the important social outcomes for childhood cancer survivors: an e-Delphi study protocol. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063172. [PMID: 36410830 PMCID: PMC9680166 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Optimising the health of childhood cancer survivors is important given the high long-term survival rate coupled with a significant late effects burden. Included within the WHO's definition of 'Health' are social outcomes. These are of interest given their impact on adult functioning within society, complex interactions with physical and mental health outcomes and potential for cross generational effects. Categories included within the definition of social outcomes are ill defined leading to potential gaps in research and service provision which could affect the ability of survivors to achieve their maximal potential. An e-Delphi study will be used to achieve expert consensus on the most important social outcomes for childhood cancer survivors to inform future research and ultimately, service provision. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A heterogeneous sample of at least 48 panel members will be recruited across four groups chosen to provide different perspectives on the childhood cancer journey: childhood cancer survivors, health professionals, social workers and teachers. Purposive sampling from a UK, regional long-term follow-up clinic will be used to recruit a representative sample of survivors. Other panel members will be recruited through local channels and national professional working groups. Opinions regarding breakdown and relevance of categories of social outcome will be collected through 3-5 rounds of questionnaires using an e-Delphi technique. Open ended, 7-point Likert scale and ranking questions will be used. Each round will be analysed collectively and per group to assess inter-rater agreement. Agreement and strength of agreement will be indicated by a median score of 6 or 7 and mean absolute deviation from the median, respectively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval for this study has been granted by Regional Ethics Committee 4, West of Scotland (ID 297344). Study findings will be disseminated to involved stakeholders, published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Milner
- Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Richard G Feltbower
- Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Kate Absolom
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Adam Glaser
- Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
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22
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Stankunaite R, Marshall LV, Carceller F, Chesler L, Hubank M, George SL. Liquid biopsy for children with central nervous system tumours: Clinical integration and technical considerations. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:957944. [PMID: 36467471 PMCID: PMC9709284 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.957944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis has the potential to revolutionise the care of patients with cancer and is already moving towards standard of care in some adult malignancies. Evidence for the utility of cfDNA analysis in paediatric cancer patients is also accumulating. In this review we discuss the limitations of blood-based assays in patients with brain tumours and describe the evidence supporting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cfDNA analysis. We make recommendations for CSF cfDNA processing to aid the standardisation and technical validation of future assays. We discuss the considerations for interpretation of cfDNA analysis and highlight promising future directions. Overall, cfDNA profiling shows great potential as an adjunct to the analysis of biopsy tissue in paediatric cancer patients, with the potential to provide a genetic molecular profile of the tumour when tissue biopsy is not feasible. However, to fully realise the potential of cfDNA analysis for children with brain tumours larger prospective studies incorporating serial CSF sampling are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reda Stankunaite
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Clinical Genomics, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Evolutionary Genomics and Modelling, Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lynley V. Marshall
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando Carceller
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Chesler
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Hubank
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Clinical Genomics, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sally L. George
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Rauch S, Rakic M, Hengartner H, Elger B, Rost M. Access to paediatric oncology centres in Switzerland: Disparities across rural-urban and Swiss-foreigners cohorts. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2022; 31:e13679. [PMID: 35942909 PMCID: PMC9788087 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In face of disparities in access to cancer care, it has been proposed to measure accessibility and to explore policy strategies for mitigating inequality of access. We aimed to determine the accessibility of Swiss paediatric oncology centres. METHODS We employed spatial accessibility analysis, calculating driving time to nearest facility. Four data types were used: disaggregated population data, administrative data, street network data and addresses of centres. Besides analysing general accessibility, we compared access of urban versus rural areas and of Swiss citizens versus foreign residents and evaluated designating a new centre to improve accessibility. RESULTS Overall, 97.4% could reach the nearest centre within 120 min (95.0% < 90 min, 86.5% < 60 min, 48.5% < 30 min). Accessibility could most effectively be improved by a new centre in Sion (city in the southwest of Switzerland). Access in urban areas was better than in rural areas. In urban areas, access of European Union/European Free Trade Association (EU/EFTA) and non-European residents was better than access of Swiss citizens and residents from non-EU European countries. CONCLUSION Access is satisfactory. However, our study presents high-resolution insights which could serve as points of leverage for policymakers to mitigate inequalities by designating a new centre and to evaluate potential benefits of centralisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Rauch
- Institute of Geography and GeologyUniversity of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Milenko Rakic
- Institute for Biomedical EthicsUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | | | - Bernice Elger
- Institute for Biomedical EthicsUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Michael Rost
- Institute for Biomedical EthicsUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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24
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Adolfsson K, Kreicbergs U, Bratthäll C, Holmberg E, Björk‐Eriksson T, Stenmarker M. Referral of patients with cancer to palliative care: Attitudes, practices and work-related experiences among Swedish physicians. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2022; 31:e13680. [PMID: 35965390 PMCID: PMC10909424 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the attitudes, practices and work-related experiences among Swedish physicians regarding the referral process, integration and transition between oncology care and palliative care (PC). METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was performed with a study-specific questionnaire in 2016-2017 in south-eastern Sweden. Physicians working with cancer patients within surgical specialties, medical specialties and paediatric oncology participated. RESULTS The vast majority of the 130 participating physicians (99.2%) stated that PC was beneficial for the patient and were positive about early integration of PC (65.5%). Still, only 27.6% of the participants introduced PC at an early stage of non-curable disease. However, paediatric oncologists had a very early introduction of PC in comparison with medical specialties (p = 0.004). Almost 90% of the study population said they wanted to know that the patient had been taken care of by another care facility. CONCLUSIONS Despite the physicians' positive attitude towards early integration and referral to PC, they often acted late in the disease trajectory. This late approach can reduce the patient's opportunity of improving quality of life during severe circumstances. There is a need for in-depth knowledge of the physicians' challenges in order to bridge the gap between intentions and actions.
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Grants
- 809311 Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research, Jönköping, Sweden
- FUTURUM-419721 Futurum - Academy for Health and Care, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
- FUTURUM-423541 Futurum - Academy for Health and Care, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
- FUTURUM-913371 Futurum - Academy for Health and Care, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
- FUTURUM-933554 Futurum - Academy for Health and Care, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
- FORSS-657621 FORSS, Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden
- FORSS, Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Adolfsson
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of OncologyRyhov County HospitalJönköpingRegion Jönköping CountySweden
| | - Ulrika Kreicbergs
- Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research CentreMarie Cederschiöld University CollegeStockholmSweden
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
| | - Charlotte Bratthäll
- Department of OncologyKalmar County HospitalKalmarRegion Kalmar CountySweden
| | - Erik Holmberg
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Regional Cancer Centre WestWestern Sweden Healthcare RegionGothenburgSweden
| | - Thomas Björk‐Eriksson
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Regional Cancer Centre WestWestern Sweden Healthcare RegionGothenburgSweden
| | - Margaretha Stenmarker
- Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of PaediatricsFuturum ‐ Academy for Health and CareJönköpingRegion Jönköping CountySweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical SciencesLinköping UniversityLinköpingSweden
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25
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Semerci R, Kocaaslan EN. Effect of chewing gum on the management of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in children: Systematic review of experimental studies. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2022; 31:e13727. [PMID: 36239087 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE It was aimed to systematically synthesise the available literature on examining the effect of chewing gum in the management/reduction of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in children. METHODS The PRISMA was followed for the systematic review. All published studies obtained from the relevant databases were examined while the research question and inclusion and exclusion criteria were considered. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools were used to evaluate the quality of the studies. RESULTS A total of five studies met the inclusion criteria: three randomised controlled trials (RCT) and two quasi-experimental studies with a total of 461 paediatric oncology patients were included. Heterogeneity was found across all studies regarding the application of gum chewing and regarding the effectiveness of gum chewing. Two RTCs and one quasi-experimental study reported that gum chewing is not effective to reduce severe oral mucositis, but effective to reduce moderate and mild oral mucositis, and one RTC reported that gum chewing is not effective to reduce oral mucositis. CONCLUSION Experimental studies particularly randomised controlled trials using rigorous designs, consistent outcome measures, and larger sample sizes are required to determine the efficacy of chewing gum in reducing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in paediatric oncology patients. Study was registered in PROSPERO and number was CRD42022328916.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remziye Semerci
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing, Koç University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Esra Nur Kocaaslan
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Trakya University Faculty of Health Sciences, Edirne, Turkey
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26
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Ma J, Qian HZ, Peng Y, Xiang Y, Yang M, Hahne J, Gu C. Efficacy of a smartphone-based care support programme in improving post-traumatic stress in families with childhood cancer: protocol of a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060629. [PMID: 36137628 PMCID: PMC9511543 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diagnosis and treatment represent distressing experiences for the families of children with cancer. Psychosocial challenges are faced by these families in China because of limited health services and resources for psychosocial oncology care. Effective interventions tailored to the knowledge level and cultural values of this population are needed. The goal of this study is to evaluate a smartphone-based care support (SBCS) programme for the families of children with cancer in China. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A parallel randomised controlled trial will be conducted to examine the efficacy of an evidence-based and culturally tailored SBCS programme for the families of children with cancer in China. A total of 180 families will be recruited. The intervention will consist of an introduction session and four main sessions and will be conducted sequentially on a single weekend day. Participating families will be included in the intervention group. The post-traumatic stress and quality of life of families will be evaluated at baseline, during the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 2 and 6 months after the intervention. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval for this protocol has been obtained from the Nursing and Behavioural Medicine Research Ethics Review Committee, Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University (Protocol #: E2020125). The findings of the trial will be disseminated through conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ChiCTR2000040510.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ma
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Han-Zhu Qian
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yueyang Peng
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yali Xiang
- Health Management Center, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Minghua Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Central South University Third Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jessica Hahne
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Can Gu
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Graetz DE, Rivas S, Wang H, Vedaraju Y, Ferrara G, Fuentes L, Cáceres-Serrano A, Antillon-Klussmann F, Devidas M, Metzger M, Rodriguez-Galindo C, Mack JW. Cancer treatment decision-making among parents of paediatric oncology patients in Guatemala: a mixed-methods study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057350. [PMID: 35953257 PMCID: PMC9379539 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine treatment decision-making priorities and experiences among parents of children with cancer in Guatemala. SETTING This study was conducted at Guatemala's National Pediatric Cancer Center in Guatemala City. PARTICIPANTS Spanish-speaking parents of paediatric patients (≤18 years of age) diagnosed with any form of cancer within the 8 weeks prior to study enrolment. The quantitative portion of this study included 100 parent participants; the qualitative component included 20 parents. Most participants were Catholic or Evangelical Spanish-speaking mothers. OUTCOMES Priorities and experiences of cancer treatment decision-making including decision-making role and experienced regret. RESULTS A range of paediatric ages and cancer diagnoses were included. Most Guatemalan parents surveyed (70%) made decisions about their child's cancer together and almost all (94%) without input from their community. Surveyed parents predominately preferred shared decision-making with their child's oncologist (76%), however 69% agreed it was best not to be provided with many options. Two-thirds of surveyed parents (65%) held their preferred role in decision-making, with fathers more likely to hold their preferred role than mothers (p=0.02). A small number of parents (11%) experienced heightened decisional regret, which did not correlate with socio-demographic characteristics or preferred decision-making role. Qualitative results supported quantitative findings, demonstrating a decision-making process that emphasised trust and honesty. CONCLUSIONS Guatemalan parents preferred to make decisions with their medical team and appreciated providers who were honest and inclusive, but directive about decisions. This study reinforces the importance of the provider-parent relationship and encourages clinicians in all settings to ask about and honour each parent's desired role in decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan E Graetz
- Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Silvia Rivas
- Unidad Nacional de Oncologia Pediatrica, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Huiqi Wang
- Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yuvanesh Vedaraju
- Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Gia Ferrara
- Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lucia Fuentes
- Department of Psychology, Unidad Nacional de Oncologia Pediatrica, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Ana Cáceres-Serrano
- Department of Psychology, Unidad Nacional de Oncologia Pediatrica, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Federico Antillon-Klussmann
- Unidad Nacional de Oncologia Pediatrica, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Universidad Francisco Marroquin Facultad de Medicina, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Meenakshi Devidas
- Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Monika Metzger
- Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Jennifer W Mack
- Department of Population Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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28
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Gannon T, Phillips B, Saunders D, Berner AM. Knowing to Ask and Feeling Safe to Tell - Understanding the Influences of HCP-Patient Interactions in Cancer Care for LGBTQ+ Children and Young People. Front Oncol 2022; 12:891874. [PMID: 35814480 PMCID: PMC9263369 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.891874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) people experience healthcare inequalities in cancer care. Previous studies have focused on knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of healthcare professionals (HCPs) treating adults with cancer and how these contribute to inequalities. To date, no research has focused on HCPs treating LGBTQ+ children and adolescents with cancer in the UK. This is important given that this group may be at a critical time for exploring their gender identity and sexual orientation, whilst also facing a cancer diagnosis. We aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of paediatric, teenage and young adult oncology HCPs treating LGBTQ+ patients in the UK. Methods We carried out semi-structured interviews with 8 HCPs in paediatric, teenage and young adult (TYA) oncology from the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Eight questions were asked, which centred around participants' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding management of LGBTQ+ patients in oncology. Interview transcripts were analysed by inductive thematic analysis. Results We identified 10 themes, including novel themes (how HCPs acquire knowledge and expectations of a 'third party' to be the expert) which may underlie previously observed trends in knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of HCPs. We highlight other themes and HCP concerns specific to care of LGBTQ+ patients in paediatrics (influence of the parental-carer dynamic, concerns around patient age and development as a barrier to disclosure) which require further research. We found evidence of the interrelatedness of HCP knowledge, attitudes and behaviours and the ability of these elements to positively influence each other. We mapped our themes across these elements to form a new suggested framework for improving HCP-patient interactions in LGBTQ+ Cancer Care. We found a need both for individual HCP education and organisational change, with creation of a culture of psychological safety to improve patient care. Conclusion Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of HCPs are closely interdependent when providing care to young LGBTQ+ patients with cancer. The authors suggest that future efforts to improve care of these patients address this complexity by spanning the domains of our suggested framework. Whilst HCP education is essential, change must also occur at an organisational level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin Gannon
- Paediatric and Teenage and Young Adult Oncology, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Tamsin Gannon,
| | - Bob Phillips
- Paediatric and Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Oncology, Leeds Children’s Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Saunders
- Clinical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alison May Berner
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom,Gender Identity Clinic, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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29
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Polanco A, Al‐Saadi R, Tugnait S, Scobie N, Pritchard‐Jones K. Setting international standards for patient and parent involvement and engagement in childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer research: A report from a European Collaborative Workshop. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2022; 5:e1523. [PMID: 34383382 PMCID: PMC9199507 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in research, advocates for research conducted 'with' not 'for' the affected population. In paediatric oncology research, the parents of children, adolescents and young adults affected by cancer are represented by the term 'public' in the acronym PPIE. Patients (those with cancer and cancer survivors) are also passionate advocates who drive forward the research priorities of children, adolescents and young adults throughout the entire research process. AIMS A workshop was held at an international professional meeting in 2019 with the aim to define Patient and Parent Involvement and Engagement (PPIE); capture PPIE activities on a European level; and to explore the role of PPIE in non-interventional research. A proposed framework for a European PPIE strategy for childhood, adolescent and young adult cancers was also discussed. METHODS The 60-minute workshop was attended by health care professionals, researchers, scientists, parents, survivors and charity/support organisations. A presentation to define PPIE, including the difference in terminology for PPIE in the context of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers was discussed. Best practice examples from the United Kingdom (UK) helped to demonstrate the positive impact of PPIE in paediatric oncology research. Three breakout groups then explored themes relating to PPIE, namely PPIE priorities, PPIE mapping for Europe, and PPIE in non-interventional research and data-linkage. RESULTS Disparity in PPIE activities across Europe was evident, with ambiguity surrounding terminology and expected roles for PPIE representatives in paediatric oncology research. A lack of PPIE activity in Eastern Europe correlated with a lack of availability for clinical trials and poorer survival rates for paediatric oncology patients. There was unanimous support for PPIE embedded research in all areas, including in non-interventional studies. CONCLUSION A European-level definition of PPIE for paediatric oncology research is needed. Further exploration into the role and responsibilities of patients, parents, and professionals when undertaking PPIE related activities is also recommended. Best practice examples from the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium demonstrated a preliminary evidence base from which a European PPIE strategy framework can be designed, inclusive of the patient and parent voice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Polanco
- Bethany's Wish/National Cancer Research Institute (Consumer member)LondonUK
| | - Reem Al‐Saadi
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Suzanne Tugnait
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Nicole Scobie
- Childhood Cancer International EuropeZoe4lifeZurichSwitzerland
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Musta E, van Geloven N, Anninga J, Gelderblom H, Fiocco M. Short-term and long-term prognostic value of histological response and intensified chemotherapy in osteosarcoma: a retrospective reanalysis of the BO06 trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e052941. [PMID: 35537786 PMCID: PMC9092180 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cure rate models accounting for cured and uncured patients, provide additional insights into long and short-term survival. We aim to evaluate the prognostic value of histological response and chemotherapy intensification on the cure fraction and progression-free survival (PFS) for the uncured patients. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of a randomised controlled trial, MRC BO06 (EORTC 80931). SETTING Population-based study but proposed methodology can be applied to other trial designs. PARTICIPANTS A total of 497 patients with resectable highgrade osteosarcoma, of which 118 were excluded because chemotherapy was not started, histological response was not reported, abnormal dose was reported or had disease progression during treatment. INTERVENTIONS Two regimens with the same anticipated cumulative dose (doxorubicin 6×75 mg/m2/week; cisplatin 6×100 mg/m2/week) over different time schedules: every 3 weeks in regimen-C and every 2 weeks in regimen-DI. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome is PFS computed from end of treatment because cure, if it occurs, may happen at any time during treatment. A mixture cure model is used to study the effect of histological response and intensified chemotherapy on the cure status and PFS for the uncured patients. RESULTS Histological response is a strong prognostic factor for the cure status (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.75 to 5.17), but it has no clear effect on PFS for the uncured patients (HR 0.78, -95% CI 0.53 to 1.16). The cure fractions are 55% (46%-63%) and 29% (22%-35%), respectively, among patients with good and poor histological response (GR, PR). The intensified regimen was associated with a higher cure fraction among PR (OR 1.90, 95% CI 0.93 to 3.89), with no evidence of effect for GR (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.59). CONCLUSIONS Accounting for cured patients is valuable in distinguishing the covariate effects on cure and PFS. Estimating cure chances based on these prognostic factors is relevant for counselling patients and can have an impact on treatment decisions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN86294690.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eni Musta
- Korteweg-de Vries Institute for Mathematics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nan van Geloven
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jakob Anninga
- Department of Solid Tumours, Princess Máxima Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Gelderblom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Fiocco
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Solid Tumours, Princess Máxima Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Mathematical Institute, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Jong MC, Mulder E, Kristoffersen AE, Stub T, Dahlqvist H, Viitasara E, Lown EA, Schats W, Jong M. Protocol of a mixed-method randomised controlled pilot study evaluating a wilderness programme for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: the WAYA study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e061502. [PMID: 35534081 PMCID: PMC9086645 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The majority of childhood, adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors suffer from long-term and late effects such as fatigue, psychological distress or comorbid diseases. Effective health promotion strategies are needed to support the health of this vulnerable group. This protocol provides a methodological description of a study that aims to examine the feasibility and safety of performing a randomised clinical trial (RCT) on a wilderness programme that is developed to support the health of AYA cancer survivors. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The pilot RCT study has a mixed-method design, including quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Participants are AYAs, aged 16-39 years, that have been diagnosed with cancer during childhood, adolescence or young adulthood. A total of 40 participants will be randomly assigned to a wilderness programme (n=20) or a holiday programme (n=20). Both arms include participation in an 8-day summer programme, followed by a 4-day programme 3 months later. Primary outcomes are feasibility and safety parameters such as time to recruitment, willingness to be randomised, programme adherence and adverse effects. Secondary outcomes include self-reported health such as self-esteem, quality of life, self-efficacy and lived experiences. Descriptive statistics will be used to analyse outcomes and explore indications of differences between the programmes. Interviews are analysed by directed content analysis and hermeneutic phenomenology. A convergent parallel mixed-method analysis design will be applied to integrate quantitative and qualitative data. Results of this feasibility study will inform the preparation for a larger RCT with AYA cancer survivors. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol is approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (reference: 2020-00239). This study will be performed between January 2021 and December 2023. Results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and disseminated to participants, cancer societies, healthcare professionals and outdoor instructors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04761042.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miek C Jong
- National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Eric Mulder
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Agnete E Kristoffersen
- National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Trine Stub
- National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Heléne Dahlqvist
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Eija Viitasara
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - E Anne Lown
- Department of Social Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Winnie Schats
- Scientific Information Service, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mats Jong
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
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Global Health Research Group on Children’s Non-Communicable Diseases Collaborative. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with paediatric cancer in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, observational cohort study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054690. [PMID: 35410925 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Paediatric cancer is a leading cause of death for children. Children in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) were four times more likely to die than children in high-income countries (HICs). This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the delivery of healthcare services worldwide, and exacerbated the disparity in paediatric cancer outcomes between LMICs and HICs. DESIGN A multicentre, international, collaborative cohort study. SETTING 91 hospitals and cancer centres in 39 countries providing cancer treatment to paediatric patients between March and December 2020. PARTICIPANTS Patients were included if they were under the age of 18 years, and newly diagnosed with or undergoing active cancer treatment for Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms' tumour, sarcoma, retinoblastoma, gliomas, medulloblastomas or neuroblastomas, in keeping with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE All-cause mortality at 30 days and 90 days. RESULTS 1660 patients were recruited. 219 children had changes to their treatment due to the pandemic. Patients in LMICs were primarily affected (n=182/219, 83.1%). Relative to patients with paediatric cancer in HICs, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 12.1 (95% CI 2.93 to 50.3) and 7.9 (95% CI 3.2 to 19.7) times the odds of death at 30 days and 90 days, respectively, after presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 15.6 (95% CI 3.7 to 65.8) times the odds of death at 30 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic has affected paediatric oncology service provision. It has disproportionately affected patients in LMICs, highlighting and compounding existing disparities in healthcare systems globally that need addressing urgently. However, many patients with paediatric cancer continued to receive their normal standard of care. This speaks to the adaptability and resilience of healthcare systems and healthcare workers globally.
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Hagström J, Woodford J, von Essen A, Lähteenmäki P, von Essen L. Opt-out rates and reasons for non-participation in a single-arm feasibility trial (ENGAGE) of a guided internet-administered CBT-based intervention for parents of children treated for cancer: a nested cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056758. [PMID: 35365530 PMCID: PMC8977820 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Difficulties with recruitment into clinical trials are common. An opt-out recruitment strategy, whereby potential participants can decline further contact about a study (opt-out), and non-responders are contacted, may facilitate participation. Primary objectives examined opt-out and consent rates, mode and time point of opt-out, and sociodemographic characteristics of those who opted out versus those who chose to participate in a single-arm feasibility trial (ENGAGE) of a guided, internet-administered, cognitive-behavioural therapy-based intervention for parents of children treated for cancer. Secondary objectives examined reasons for non-participation. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey nested within the ENGAGE feasibility trial. SETTING The intervention was delivered from Uppsala University, with parents located throughout Sweden. PARTICIPANTS Potential participants were recruited 3 months-5 years following their child ending treatment for cancer and were identified via their personal identification number (via the Swedish Childhood Cancer Registry and Swedish Tax Agency) and invited via postal invitation packs and could opt out via post, online, telephone or email. Those who did not opt out or consent, within 4 weeks, received up to five telephone calls and/or one postal reminder. RESULTS Of 509 invited, 164 (32.2%) opted out, 78 (47.6%) via post, 53 (32.3%) via telephone, 24 (14.6%) online, and 6 (3.7%) via email, 88 (53.7%) opted out after at least one telephone call and/or postal reminder. There was a trend for parents with lower educational levels to opt out. No need of psychological support, lack of time, and no interest in internet-administered self-help were frequently reported reasons for non-participation. CONCLUSIONS Results emphasise the importance of using different opt-out modes and suggest future research should consider how to widen study participation for parents with lower education levels. Self-identifying a need for psychological support and the acceptability of internet-administered self-help are important factors for participation and should be considered in future research to increase recruitment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN57233429.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefin Hagström
- Healthcare Sciences and e-Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joanne Woodford
- Healthcare Sciences and e-Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Agnes von Essen
- Healthcare Sciences and e-Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Päivi Lähteenmäki
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, TYKS Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Pediatric Oncology and Pediatric Surgery, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Louise von Essen
- Healthcare Sciences and e-Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Duan M, Sundararaghavan S, Koh AL, Soh SY. Neonatal rhabdomyoma with cardiac dysfunction: favourable response to sirolimus. BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:e244915. [PMID: 35332001 PMCID: PMC8948400 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-244915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumour in childhood, with a strong genetic association to tuberous sclerosis complex. Although most of the patients remain asymptomatic, a small proportion present with cardiac complications in the early neonatal period. Timely initiation of treatment can potentially reduce disease morbidity, and mammalian target of rapamycin (M-TOR) inhibitors play an effective role in promoting regression of these tumours. A healthy term newborn was diagnosed with a giant congenital cardiac rhabdomyoma at birth. He developed clinical signs of compromised cardiac function and progressive myocardial ischaemia, with echocardiography showing significant dyskinesia. He was treated with M-TOR inhibitors and clinical response was monitored via serial echocardiography. Remarkable regression of the tumour was visibly demonstrated within 4 months of sirolimus treatment. The infant continues to be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and monitored for features of tuberous sclerosis complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghao Duan
- Paediatric Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Ai Ling Koh
- Paediatric Genetics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | - Shui Yen Soh
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
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Kane E, Kinsey S, Bonaventure A, Johnston T, Simpson J, Howell D, Smith A, Roman E. Excess morbidity and mortality among survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: 25 years of follow-up from the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) population-based matched cohort. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056216. [PMID: 35256445 PMCID: PMC8905881 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine morbidity and mortality among teenagers and young adults (TYAs) previously diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in childhood, and compare to the general TYA population. DESIGN National population-based sex-matched and age-matched case-control study converted into a matched cohort, with follow-up linkage to administrative healthcare databases. SETTING The study population comprised all children (0-14 years) registered for primary care with the National Health Service (NHS) in England 1992-1996. PARTICIPANTS 1082 5-year survivors of ALL diagnosed<15 years of age (1992-1996) and 2018 unaffected individuals; followed up to 15 March 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Associations with hospital activity, cancer and mortality were assessed using incidence rate ratios (IRR) and differences. RESULTS Mortality in the 5-year ALL survivor cohort was 20 times higher than in the comparison cohort (rate ratio 21.3, 95% CI 11.2 to 45.6), and cancer incidence 10 times higher (IRR 9.9 95% CI 4.1 to 29.1). Hospital activity was increased for many clinical specialties, the strongest associations being for endocrinology; outpatient IRR 36.7, 95% CI 17.3 to 93.4 and inpatient 19.7, 95% CI 7.9 to 63.2 for males, and 11.0, 95% CI 6.2 to 21.1 and 6.2 95% CI 3.1 to 13.5, respectively, for females. Notable excesses were also evident for cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, respiratory medicine and general medicine. Males were also more likely to attend gastroenterology; ear, nose and throat; urology; and dermatology, while females were more likely to be seen in plastic surgery and less likely in midwifery. CONCLUSIONS Adding to excess risks of death and cancer, survivors of childhood ALL experience excess outpatient and inpatient activity across their TYA years, which is not related to routine follow-up monitoring. Involving most clinical specialties, associations are striking, showing no signs of diminishing over time. Recognising that all survivors are potentially at risk of late treatment-associated effects, our findings underscore the need to take prior ALL diagnosis into account when interpreting seemingly unrelated symptoms later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Kane
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - Audrey Bonaventure
- Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers Team, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Tom Johnston
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jill Simpson
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Debra Howell
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - Eve Roman
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
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Hazewinkel AD, Lancia C, Anninga J, van de Sande M, Whelan J, Gelderblom H, Fiocco M. Disease progression in osteosarcoma: a multistate model for the EURAMOS-1 (European and American Osteosarcoma Study) randomised clinical trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e053083. [PMID: 35246418 PMCID: PMC8900028 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Investigating the effect of prognostic factors in a multistate framework on survival in a large population of patients with osteosarcoma. Of interest is how prognostic factors affect different disease stages after surgery, with stages of local recurrence (LR), new metastatic disease (NM), LR+NM, secondary malignancy, a second NM, and death. DESIGN An open-label, international, phase 3 randomised controlled trial. SETTING 325 sites in 17 countries. PARTICIPANTS The subset of 1631 metastases-free patients from 1965 patients with high-grade resectable osteosarcoma, from the European and American Osteosarcoma Study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The effect of prognostic factors on different disease stages, expressed as HRs; predictions of disease progression on an individual patient basis, according to patient-specific characteristics and history of intermediate events. RESULTS Of 1631 patients, 526 experienced an intermediate event, and 305 died by the end of follow-up. An axial tumour site substantially increased the risk of LR after surgery (HR=10.84, 95% CI 8.46 to 13.86) and death after LR (HR=11.54, 95% CI 6.11 to 21.8). A poor histological increased the risk of NM (HR=5.81, 95% CI 5.31 to 6.36), which sharply declined after 3 years since surgery. Young patients (<12 years) had a lower intermediate event risk (eg, for LR: HR=0.66, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.86), when compared with adolescents (12-18 years), but had an increased risk of subsequent death, while patients aged >18 had a decreased risk of death after event (eg, for death after LR: HR=2.40, 95% CI 1.52 to 3.90; HR=0.35, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.56, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that patients with axial tumours should be monitored for LR and patients with poor histological response for NM, and that for young patients (<12) with an LR additional treatment options should be investigated. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT00134030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audinga-Dea Hazewinkel
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Carlo Lancia
- Mathematical Institute, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jakob Anninga
- Department of Solid Tumours, Princess Máxima Centre, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Michiel van de Sande
- Department of Orthopaedics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jeremy Whelan
- Cancer Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Hans Gelderblom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marta Fiocco
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Mathematical Institute, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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Sanchez-Mostiero DO, Boussati JMA. Low back pain as an unusual presentation in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:e242843. [PMID: 35246428 PMCID: PMC8900049 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-242843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer. The clinical presentation of acute leukaemia includes fever, pallor, bleeding tendencies, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and bone pains. This case is about a 7-year-old boy who presented with 2 months of progressive low back pain after jumping into the sea. Radiologic workup showed compression fractures in the T6-L5 regions of the spine. Trauma and osteogenesis imperfecta were considered initially until the patient developed the classic features of leukaemia. Analysis of the bone marrow aspirate, 2 months after the sea incident, revealed B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The low back pain subsided after a week of chemotherapy. A symptom that involves bone pain in a child needs thorough evaluation because a delay in diagnosis affects the outcome of treatment. ALL has been lingering at the time of his accident and this has caused weakening of his spine that resulted in much more severe injury than would have occurred in the absence of the ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Olave Sanchez-Mostiero
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
- Department of Pediatrics, Batangas Medical Center, Batangas, Philippines
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Menne T, Slade D, Savage J, Johnson S, Irving J, Kearns P, Plummer R, Shenton G, Veal GJ, Vormoor B, Vormoor J, Billingham L. Selumetinib in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed/refractory RAS-pathway mutated paediatric and adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (SeluDex): study protocol for an international, parallel-group, dose-finding with expansion phase I/II trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059872. [PMID: 35246426 PMCID: PMC8900053 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Event-free survival rates at 15 years for paediatric patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are 30%-50%, with 5-year survival for adult patients only 20%. Many patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed ALL harbour somatic RAS-signalling activation mutations. Induction therapy for ALL involves steroids, with preclinical data suggesting the combination of dexamethasone with the MEK1/2 inhibitor, selumetinib (ARRY-142886) has a synergistic anticancer effect. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The SeluDex trial is an international, parallel-group, dose-finding with expansion, phase I/II trial to assess the selumetinib/dexamethasone combination in adult and paediatric patients with relapsed/refractory, RAS pathway mutant ALL. The Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at University of Birmingham is the UK Coordinating Centre, with national hubs in Copenhagen, Denmark; Monza, Italy; Münster, Germany; Paris, France; and Utrecht, Netherlands. Patients with morphologically proven relapsed/refractory or progressive B-cell precursor or T-cell ALL, with demonstrated RAS pathway activating mutations are eligible. Adult patients are >18 years old, ECOG <2 and paediatric <18 years old, Lansky play scale ≥60% or Karnofsky score ≥60%. Phase I primary objective is the recommended phase II dose of selumetinib as defined by occurrence/non-occurrence of dose limiting toxicities using the continual reassessment method; phase II will evaluate preliminary antileukaemic activity of the combination, as defined by morphological response 28 days post-treatment using a Bayesian approach. Target recruitment is between 26 and 42 patients (minimum 13 and maximum 21 per group), depending the number of phase I patients included in phase II. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Medical ethical committees of all the participating countries have approved the study protocol; initial (UK) ethics approval (17/YH/0123) was granted by Yorkshire & The Humber-Leeds West Research Ethics Committee. Participants are required to provide written informed consent/assent. Results will be disseminated through national and international presentations and peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN92323261.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Menne
- Northern Center for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Daniel Slade
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Cancer and Genomics Cancer, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Joshua Savage
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Cancer and Genomics Cancer, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sarah Johnson
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Cancer and Genomics Cancer, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Julie Irving
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Pamela Kearns
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Cancer and Genomics Cancer, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ruth Plummer
- Northern Center for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Geoff Shenton
- Great North Children's Hospital, Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Gareth J Veal
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Britta Vormoor
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Josef Vormoor
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lucinda Billingham
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Cancer and Genomics Cancer, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Lövgren M, Udo C, Kreicbergs U. Is the family talk intervention feasible in paediatric oncology? An evaluation of a family-based psychosocial intervention. Acta Paediatr 2022; 111:684-692. [PMID: 34787928 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM To examine the feasibility of a family-based psychosocial intervention, Family Talk Intervention (FTI), in paediatric oncology in terms of recruitment, retention, delivery, response rate and acceptability from the parents' perspective. METHODS This study involved 26 families affected by childhood cancer. FTI encompasses six family meetings, with the main goal being to facilitate family communication about illness-related subjects. Meeting 5 is preferably moderated by the parents. Extra meetings (7-11) can be held if needed. This paper includes observational data and surveys, and interviews with parents. RESULTS All families who started FTI underwent the full intervention and the survey response rate varied between 100% and 71% over time. Extra meetings were held with most families. The parents stated that FTI filled a gap of support to the family as a unit and described FTI as a map they could follow. Since FTI was conducted at home, this created a safe environment, which contributed to their participation. The parents valued the children's perspectives being considered, but some felt uncomfortable moderating 'the family talk' (meeting 5). CONCLUSION Family talk intervention was valued by parents, but it would benefit from being slightly modified before a large trial can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Lövgren
- Palliative Research Centre Department of Health Care Sciences Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College Stockholm Sweden
- Advanced Pediatric Home Care Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - Camilla Udo
- Palliative Research Centre Department of Health Care Sciences Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College Stockholm Sweden
- School of Education, Health and Society Dalarna University College Falun Sweden
- Center for Clinical Research Dalarna‐Uppsala University Falun Sweden
| | - Ulrika Kreicbergs
- Palliative Research Centre Department of Health Care Sciences Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health Childhood Cancer Research Unit Karolinska Institute Stockholm Sweden
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the potential benefits of effective communication, telling children about cancer, unpredictable and life-threatening conditions is challenging. This study aimed to summarise the communication tools used in cancer communication among children with cancer, caregivers and healthcare professionals. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will conduct a scoping review following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews checklist. We will search PubMed (including MEDLINE), Embase, CENTRAL, PsycINFO and CINAHL. We will include the qualitative and quantitative studies that reported the communication tools that tell a child diagnosed with cancer about the cancer-related information. We will summarise the communication tools and the impacts of the tools. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Formal ethical approval is not required, as primary data will not be collected in this study. The findings of this study will be disseminated through the presentation at the conference and publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noyuri Yamaji
- Department of Global Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St Luke's International University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Daichi Suzuki
- Department of Nursing, Kanagawa Institute of Technology, Atsugi, Japan
| | - Maiko Suto
- Department of Health Policy, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya-ku, Japan
| | - Kiriko Sasayama
- Department of Global Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St Luke's International University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Erika Ota
- Department of Global Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St Luke's International University, Chuo-ku, Japan
- The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, Minato-ku, Japan
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Shanmugavadivel D, Liu JF, Ball-Gamble A, Polanco A, Vedhara K, Walker D, Ojha S. The Childhood Cancer Diagnosis (CCD) Study: a UK observational study to describe referral pathways and quantify diagnostic intervals in children and young people with cancer. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058744. [PMID: 35173012 PMCID: PMC8852751 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Childhood cancer is diagnosed in 400 000 children and young people (CYP) aged 0-19 years worldwide annually. In the UK, a child's cumulative cancer risk increases from 1 in 4690 from birth to aged 1, to 1 in 470 by age 15. Once diagnosed, access to treatments offers survival to adulthood for over 80%. Tumour diagnoses are at a later stage and mortality is higher when compared with those in other parts of Europe. This means higher risk, more intensive therapies for a cure. Some CYPs are known to experience delays to diagnosis which may further contribute to poor outcomes. This study aims to understand the current pathway of childhood cancer referrals and diagnosis and quantify diagnostic intervals in the UK. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a prospective multicentre observational study including all tertiary childhood cancer treatment centres in the UK. CYP (0-18 years) with a new diagnosis of cancer over the study period will be invited to participate. Data will be collected at initial diagnosis and 5 years after diagnosis. Data will include demographic details, clinical symptoms, tumour location, stage and clinical risk group. In addition, key diagnostic dates and referral routes will be collected to calculate the diagnostic intervals. At 5 years' follow-up, data will be collected on refractory disease, relapse and 1-year and 5-year survival. Population characteristics will be presented with descriptive analyses with further analyses stratified by age, geographical region and cancer type. Associations between diagnostic intervals/delay and risk factors will be explored using multiple regression and logistic regression. ETHICS The study has favourable opinion from the York and Humber, Leeds West REC (19/YH/0416). DISSEMINATION Results will be presented at academic conferences, published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated through public messaging in collaboration with our charity partners through a national awareness campaign (ChildCancerSmart). STUDY REGISTRATION researchregistry.com (researchregistry5313).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhurgshaarna Shanmugavadivel
- Academic Unit of Population and Lifespan Sciences, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jo-Fen Liu
- Academic Unit of Population and Lifespan Sciences, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ashley Ball-Gamble
- Chief Executive Office, Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group, Leicester, UK
| | - Angela Polanco
- Chief Executive Office, Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group, Leicester, UK
| | - Kavita Vedhara
- Academic Unit of Population and Lifespan Sciences, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - David Walker
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Shalini Ojha
- Academic Unit of Population and Lifespan Sciences, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
- Children's Hospital, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Trust, Derby, UK
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Forjaco Jorge AF, Nascimento L, Fernandes L, Soares E. Rapidly involuting congenital haemangioma: diagnostic and therapeutic approach regarding two case reports. BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:e247689. [PMID: 35140097 PMCID: PMC8830216 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-247689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Two unrelated neonates were born with a large purplish congenital mass of the thigh and forearm. Both showed signs of heart dysfunction, and one of them had anaemia and thrombocytopenia. The imaging assessment of the lesions showed well-defined subcutaneous solid masses with an exuberant vascular component. Both were kept under surveillance and maintenance therapy. A progressive dimensional reduction of the lesions supported the diagnosis of rapidly involuting congenital haemangioma (RICH). RICH is a rare vascular tumour that presents as a congenital purplish bulky mass. The diagnosis depends on the clinical evaluation of the lesion and the imaging characterisation of its solid components and vascular network. RICH may be complicated by high-output heart failure, anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Despite its exuberant presentation, it undergoes involution in the first year of life; therefore, early invasive therapies should be avoided. It is essential to detect any dimensional increase, suggesting more aggressive diagnoses, such as kaposiform haemangioendothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Filipa Forjaco Jorge
- Radiology Department, Dona Estefânia's Hospital, Lisbon Central Hospital Center EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Lúcia Nascimento
- Radiology Department, Dona Estefânia's Hospital, Lisbon Central Hospital Center EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Lúcia Fernandes
- Radiology Department, Dona Estefânia's Hospital, Lisbon Central Hospital Center EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eugénia Soares
- Radiology Department, Dona Estefânia's Hospital, Lisbon Central Hospital Center EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
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Gupta D, Vishwajeet V, Ramzan M, Elhence PA. ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma of skeletal muscle masquerading as soft tissue sarcoma. BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:e245685. [PMID: 35131778 PMCID: PMC8823051 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-245685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a subtype of T cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and can present as an extranodal disease. Primary ALCL of skeletal muscle is rare. We report a case of ALK-positive ALCL involving the left thigh and anterior chest wall in a 12-year-old male child. The fine needle aspiration cytology from the lesion showed cellular smears with singly scattered and occasional clusters of large pleomorphic atypical cells. A diagnosis of poorly differentiated malignant neoplasm was rendered. On core biopsy, the histomorphological features posed a diagnostic challenge with a myriad of morphological mimickers. The diagnosis was established by excluding specific entities by relevant immunostains and confirming the diagnosis by strong expression of CD30 and ALK on immunohistochemistry. Fluorescence in-situ hybridisation confirmed the characteristic t(2:5) translocation. Presentation of ALCL with skeletal muscle involvement is uncommon, and the diagnosis relies on broadening the diagnostic possibilities and judicious use of immunohistochemical markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Gupta
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Vikarn Vishwajeet
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Mohammed Ramzan
- Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Poonam Abhay Elhence
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
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Yang Y, He X, Chen J, Tan X, Meng J, Cai R, Liang L, Shi L. Posttraumatic stress symptoms in Chinese children with ongoing cancer treatment and their parents: Are they elevated relative to healthy comparisons? Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2022; 31:e13554. [PMID: 35129840 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this work is to compare posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) between families of children on cancer treatment and families of healthy children in China and to analyse the association among child PTSS, parent PTSS, and depression in the cancer group. METHODS Participants were children on cancer treatment (n = 91) and their parents (n = 91), and healthy children (n = 114) and their parents (n = 96). The children were asked to self-report PTSS, and the parents completed self-reported measures of PTSS and depression. RESULTS Although the prevalence of probable PTSD in children on cancer treatment was higher than that in comparisons (8.79% vs. 0.88%, P < 0.01), no statistic differences in PTSS levels were found between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, significant differences in PTSS levels and the prevalence of severe PTSS (21.98% vs. 1.04%) between parents of children with cancer and comparisons were observed (P < 0.001). Parent PTSS and depression were positively associated with child PTSS in the cancer group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The prevalence of probable PTSD in Chinese children with cancer was low, but PTSS was remarkably prevalent in their parents. Greater parent PTSS and depression were related to greater child PTSS. Results underline the importance to provide supportive psychological care for Chinese parents of children undergoing cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Yang
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng He
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinlu Chen
- PICU, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangyi Tan
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiangnan Meng
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruiqing Cai
- Department Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lichan Liang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Shi
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Prasad G, Mukherjee S, Yadav DK, Bajpai M. Paediatric thoracic wall lipoblastoma in a 7-year old: a rare tumour of childhood. BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:e245345. [PMID: 35131775 PMCID: PMC8823034 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-245345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipoblastoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumour derived from embryonic white fat tissue. Lipoblastoma generally occurs in children less than 3 years of age, and fewer than 200 cases have been reported in the English literature. There are hardly a dozen reports describing intrathoracic and thoracic involvement. We report a case of a 7-year-old boy who presented with a slowly growing right thoracic wall mass for a duration of 1 year. Radiological investigations (ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced CT of the chest showed the presence of a fat-containing, low density extrapulmonary soft tissue mass) could not confirm the diagnosis, and repeat biopsies also were not conclusive. The mass was excised and histopathology confirmed it as lipoblastoma. A review of literature pertaining to the clinical presentation, radiological features and histopathology of this rare condition has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Prasad
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Sampreeti Mukherjee
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Devendra Kumar Yadav
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Minu Bajpai
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India
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Akdeniz Kudubes A, Semerci R, Bektas M, Akgün Kostak M. The effects of administered interventions on quality of life of children with cancer in Turkey: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2022; 31:e13544. [PMID: 35088493 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyse the effects of administered interventions on the quality of life of children with cancer in Turkey. METHODS The quantitative studies conducted with paediatric oncology patients, analysing the quality of life of Turkish children, and published papers from 2009 to 2019 were searched. Joanna Briggs Institution MAStARI Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Control List and Quality Index were used for methodological assessment. Five studies comprising a total of 264 samples were included. Four studies were nonrandomised controlled trials, and one was a quasi-experimental study. RESULTS Tests for heterogeneity showed that the studies, which included interventions increasing the quality of life of children with cancer, were heterogeneous. The common effect size of all studies on quality of life was determined as having a strong positive effect. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis and systematic review contribute to the knowledge of Turkish health care professionals regarding these interventions by producing results with high levels of evidence on the improvement of the quality of life among children with cancer. The present study also significantly raises awareness and encourages health care professionals to implement interventions for the improvement of quality of life among children with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslı Akdeniz Kudubes
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Bilecik, Turkey
| | - Remziye Semerci
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Murat Bektas
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Bilecik, Turkey
| | - Melahat Akgün Kostak
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
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Turner S, Littlemore J, Taylor J, Parr E, Topping AE. Metaphors that shape parents' perceptions of effective communication with healthcare practitioners following child death: a qualitative UK study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054991. [PMID: 35078846 PMCID: PMC8796225 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To offer an interpretation of bereaved parents' evaluations of communication with healthcare practitioners (HCPs) surrounding the death of a child. DESIGN Interpretative qualitative study employing thematic and linguistic analyses of metaphor embedded in interview data. SETTING England and Scotland. PARTICIPANTS 24 bereaved parents (21 women, 3 men). METHODS Participants were recruited through the True Colours Trust website and mailing list, similar UK charities and word of mouth. Following interviews in person or via video-conferencing platforms (Skype/Zoom), transcripts first underwent thematic and subsequently linguistic analyses supported by NVivo. A focused analysis of metaphors used by the parents was undertaken to allow in-depth interpretation of how they conceptualised their experiences. RESULTS The findings illuminate the ways parents experienced communication with HCPs surrounding the death of a child. Key findings from this study suggest that good communication with HCPs following the death of a child should acknowledge parental identity (and that of their child as an individual) and offer opportunities for them to enact this; taking account their emotional and physical experiences; and accommodate their altered experiences of time. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that HCPs when communicating with bereaved parents need to recognise, and seek to comprehend, the ways in which the loss impacts on an individual's identity as a parent, the 'physical' nature of the emotions that can be unleashed and the ways in which the death of a child can alter their metaphorical conceptions of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Turner
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Julie Taylor
- School of Nursing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Eloise Parr
- English Language and Linguistics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - A E Topping
- School of Nursing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
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Waespe N, Strebel S, Nava T, Uppugunduri CRS, Marino D, Mattiello V, Otth M, Gumy-Pause F, Von Bueren AO, Baleydier F, Mader L, Spoerri A, Kuehni CE, Ansari M. Cohort-based association study of germline genetic variants with acute and chronic health complications of childhood cancer and its treatment: Genetic Risks for Childhood Cancer Complications Switzerland (GECCOS) study protocol. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e052131. [PMID: 35074812 PMCID: PMC8788194 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Childhood cancer and its treatment may lead to various health complications. Related impairment in quality of life, excess in deaths and accumulated healthcare costs are relevant. Genetic variations are suggested to contribute to the wide inter-individual variability of complications but have been used only rarely to risk-stratify treatment and follow-up care. This study aims to identify germline genetic variants associated with acute and late complications of childhood cancer. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The Genetic Risks for Childhood Cancer Complications Switzerland (GECCOS) study is a nationwide cohort study. Eligible are patients and survivors who were diagnosed with childhood cancers or Langerhans cell histiocytosis before age 21 years, were registered in the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry (SCCR) since 1976 and have consented to the Paediatric Biobank for Research in Haematology and Oncology, Geneva, host of the national Germline DNA Biobank Switzerland for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders (BISKIDS).GECCOS uses demographic and clinical data from the SCCR and the associated Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Clinical outcome data consists of organ function testing, health conditions diagnosed by physicians, second primary neoplasms and self-reported information from participants. Germline genetic samples and sequencing data are collected in BISKIDS. We will perform association analyses using primarily whole-exome or whole-genome sequencing to identify genetic variants associated with specified health conditions. We will use clustering and machine-learning techniques and assess multiple health conditions in different models. DISCUSSION GECCOS will improve knowledge of germline genetic variants associated with childhood cancer-associated health conditions and help to further individualise cancer treatment and follow-up care, potentially resulting in improved efficacy and reduced side effects. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The Geneva Cantonal Commission for Research Ethics has approved the GECCOS study.Research findings will be disseminated through national and international conferences, publications in peer-reviewed journals and in lay language online. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04702321.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Waespe
- CANSEARCH Research Platform for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Division of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sven Strebel
- CANSEARCH Research Platform for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Health Sciences (GHS), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tiago Nava
- CANSEARCH Research Platform for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Women, Children, and Adolescents, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Chakradhara Rao S Uppugunduri
- CANSEARCH Research Platform for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Denis Marino
- CANSEARCH Research Platform for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Veneranda Mattiello
- CANSEARCH Research Platform for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Women, Children, and Adolescents, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Maria Otth
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Division of Oncology-Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Kantonsspital Aarau AG, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Gumy-Pause
- CANSEARCH Research Platform for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Women, Children, and Adolescents, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - André O Von Bueren
- CANSEARCH Research Platform for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Women, Children, and Adolescents, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Frederic Baleydier
- CANSEARCH Research Platform for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Women, Children, and Adolescents, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Luzius Mader
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Spoerri
- SwissRDL - Medical Registries and Data Linkage, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Universitat Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia E Kuehni
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Division of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc Ansari
- CANSEARCH Research Platform for Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Department of Women, Children, and Adolescents, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
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van Dyk M, Boylan C, Michelet R, Mc Laughlin AM, Kichenadasse G, May N, Ziesenitz V, Van Den Anker JN, Groenland SL, Huitema ADR, Steeghs N, Mikus G, Kloft C, Tapp H. Plasma concentration guided dosing of drugs used for the treatment of childhood leukaemias: protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e053308. [PMID: 34980620 PMCID: PMC8724759 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Childhood leukaemia is the most common type of cancer in children and represents among 25% of the diagnoses in children <15 years old. Childhood survival rates have significantly improved within the last 40 years due to a rapid advancement in therapeutic interventions. However, in high-risk groups, survival rates remain poor. Pharmacokinetic (PK) data of cancer medications in children are limited and thus current dosing regimens are based on studies with small sample sizes. In adults, large variability in PK is observed and dose individualisation (plasma concentration guided dosing) has been associated with improved clinical outcomes; whether this is true for children is still unknown. This provides an opportunity to explore this strategy in children to potentially reduce toxicities and ensure optimal dosing. This paper will provide a protocol to systematically review studies that have used dose individualisation of drugs used in the treatment of childhood leukaemias. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Systematic review methodology will be applied to identify, select and extract data from published plasma guided dosing studies conducted in a paediatric leukaemia cohort. Databases (eg, Ovid Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Cochrane) and clinical trial registries (CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov and ISRCTN) will be used to perform the systematic literature search (up until February 2021). Only full empirical studies will be included, with primary clinical outcomes (progression-free survival, toxicities, minimal residual disease status, complete cytogenetic response, partial cytogenetic response and major molecular response) being used to decide whether the study will be included. The quality of included studies will be undertaken, with a subgroup analysis where appropriate. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This systematic review will not require ethics approval as there will not be collection of primary data. Findings of this review will be made available through publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. Gaps will be identified in current literature to inform future-related research. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021225045.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelé van Dyk
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute - Cancer, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Chelsea Boylan
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute - Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robin Michelet
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- PharMetrX Graduate Research Training Program, Postdam/Berlin, UK
| | - Anna M Mc Laughlin
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Postdam/Berlin, PharMetrX Graduate Research Training Program, Postdam/Berlin, Germany
| | - Ganessan Kichenadasse
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute - Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
- Medical Oncology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nikki May
- SA Health Library Service, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Victoria Ziesenitz
- Pediatric Cardiology & Congenital Heart Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes N Van Den Anker
- Division of Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Stefanie L Groenland
- Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Alwin D R Huitema
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Neeltje Steeghs
- Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Gerd Mikus
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, UniversitatsKlinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charlotte Kloft
- Freie Universitat Berlin Institut fur Pharmazie, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heather Tapp
- Haematology/Oncology Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital Adelaide, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Cuffe R, Norman C, Haeems G, Spicer L, Mohammed K, Rodger M, Edwards L. Age-stratified distress thermometers with Worry and Learning problem domains for the paediatric oncology population: Development and validation. Psychooncology 2022; 31:832-839. [PMID: 34981598 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long-term psychological/neuro-psychological sequalae for a minority of survivors of childhood cancer are considerable. This project aims to develop and validate a psychosocial and memory/learning distress thermometer (DT) for paediatric/young adult cancer patients. METHODS Pilot/Development Age-appropriate versions of the DT were developed. A pilot study tested acceptability, usability, and design. VALIDATION Seven collaborating paediatric-oncology centres with 549 participants validated the DT against Strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) and Hospital Anxiety and depression scale (HADS) for psychological issues, Utilities Index Mark 2 (HUI2) for memory/learning issues, PedsQL and SF-8 measured quality of life. RESULTS Using a cut-off of four, sensitivity against SDQ for under 18 was 75.8%, 18plus against HADS was 94.1%. The specificity was 53.3% against the SDQ for the 18plus specificity against the HADS was 47.1%. The sensitivity against the HUI2 for all age groups was 89.0% specificity was 70.3%. CONCLUSION The DT is a valid and reliable measure screening instrument. It can be used to identify early on those experiencing psychological distress and memory problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray Cuffe
- Paediatric and Teenage Psychological Support Service, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Catherine Norman
- Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton General, Southampton, UK
| | - Gabriella Haeems
- Paediatric and Teenage Psychological Support Service, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Lucy Spicer
- Paediatric and Teenage Psychological Support Service, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Kabir Mohammed
- Paediatric and Teenage Psychological Support Service, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Melanie Rodger
- Paediatric and Teenage Psychological Support Service, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Lesley Edwards
- Paediatric and Teenage Psychological Support Service, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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