Late morbidity and mortality in adult survivors of childhood glioma with neurofibromatosis type 1: report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

PurposeNeurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is associated with tumor predisposition and nonmalignant health conditions. Whether survivors of childhood cancer with NF1 are at increased risk for poor long-term health outcomes is unknown.MethodsOne hundred forty-seven 5+ year survivors of childhood glioma with NF1 from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study were compared with 2629 non-NF1 glioma survivors and 5051 siblings for late mortality, chronic health conditions, and psychosocial, neurocognitive, and socioeconomic outcomes.ResultsSurvivors with NF1 (age at diagnosis: 6.8 ± 4.8 years) had greater cumulative incidence of late mortality 30 years after diagnosis (46.3% [95% confidence interval: 23.9–62.2%]) compared with non-NF1 survivors (18.0% [16.1–20.0%]) and siblings (0.9% [0.6–1.2%]), largely due to subsequent neoplasms. Compared with survivors without NF1, those with NF1 had more severe/life-threatening chronic conditions at cohort entry (46.3% [38.1–54.4%] vs. 30.8% [29.1–32.6%]), but similar rates of new conditions during follow-up (rate ratio: 1.26 [0.90–1.77]). Survivors with NF1 were more likely to report psychosocial impairments, neurocognitive deficits, and socioeconomic difficulties compared with survivors without NF1.ConclusionsLate mortality among glioma survivors with NF1 is twice that of other survivors, due largely to subsequent malignancies. Screening, prevention, and early intervention for chronic health conditions and psychosocial and neurocognitive deficits may reduce long-term morbidity in this vulnerable population.     

Fibrinogen concentrate and maternal outcomes in severe postpartum hemorrhage: A population-based cohort study with a propensity score-matched analysis

Study objectiveFibrinogen concentrate is used to treat severe postpartum hemorrhage despite limited evidence of its effectiveness in obstetric settings. We aimed to explore the association between its administration and maternal outcomes in women with severe postpartum hemorrhage.Design, setting and patientsThis secondary analysis of the EPIMOMS prospective population-based study, exploring severe maternal morbidity, as defined by national expert consensus (2012–2013, 182,309 deliveries, France), included all women with severe postpartum hemorrhage and transfused with red blood cells during active bleeding.MeasurementsThe primary endpoint was maternal near-miss or death, and the secondary endpoint the total number of red blood cells units transfused.InterventionsWe studied fibrinogen concentrate administration as a binary variable and then by the timing of its administration. We used multivariable analysis and propensity score matching to account for potential indication bias.Main resultsAmong the 730 women with severe postpartum hemorrhage and transfused, 313 (42.9%) received fibrinogen concentrate, and 142 (19.5%) met near-miss criteria or died. The risk of near-miss or death was not significantly lower among the women treated with fibrinogen concentrate than among those not treated, in either the multivariable analysis (adjusted RR = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.72–1.49; P = 0.855) or the propensity score analysis (RR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.55–1.32; P = 0.477). Among women treated with fibrinogen concentrate, administration more than three hours after red blood cell transfusion started was associated with a higher risk of near-miss or death than administration before or within 30 min after the transfusion began (adjusted RR = 2.07; 95% CI, 1.10–3.89; P = 0.024). Results were similar for the secondary endpoint.ConclusionsThe use of fibrinogen concentrate in severe postpartum hemorrhage needing red blood cell transfusion during active bleeding is not associated with improved maternal outcomes.     

IKZF1 Deletion Subtyping and Outcome Analysis in BCR–ABL1-Negative Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Single-Institution Experience from North India

BackgroundIKZF1 deletions are associated with adverse outcomes in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). We assessed the prevalence and clinical impact of functional subtypes of IKZF1 deletions in pediatric BCR–ABL1-negative B-ALL. Patients andMethodsThis retrospective study of IKZF1 deletions was done in cases of pediatric BCR–ABL1-negative B-ALL. The genomic DNA of cases, over a 53-month period, was analyzed using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and multiplex fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. The deletions were divided into functional subgroups: (1) loss-of-function/haploinsufficiency, (2) dominant-negative, and (3) a combination of both types of deletion. The post-induction remission status, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) were noted.ResultsOut of 320 cases, 47 (14.7%) had IKZF1 deletions. Thirty-six of the 47 (77%) had loss-of-function deletions, 10 (21%) had dominant-negative deletions, and one (2%) had a combination of both types. The post-induction remission rates in cases with loss-of-function deletions (22/30, 73%; P = .060) and dominant-negative deletions (4/5, 80%; P = .517) were lower compared with those without deletions (215/248, 86.7%). These cases also had worse median EFS: 21.1 months (P = .006) for loss-of-function and 15.4 months (P = .156) for dominant-negative deletions, compared with 46.4 months in cases without IKZF1 deletions. They also had worse median OS: 23.4 months (P = .012) for loss-of-function deletions and 15.7 months (P = .233) for dominant-negative deletions, compared with median not reached in cases without IKZF1 deletions.ConclusionThe IKZF1 deletions were seen in 14.7% of BCR–ABL1-negative pediatric B-ALL. Most of these deletions (77%) were loss-of-function type. The cases with loss-of-function deletions had lower remission rates and poor EFS and OS compared with cases without IKZF1 deletions. A similar trend of poor outcome was seen in the few cases with dominant-negative IKZF1 deletions.     

International validation and update of the Amsterdam model for prediction of survival after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to validate and update the Amsterdam prediction model including tumor grade, lymph node ratio, margin status and adjuvant therapy, for prediction of overall survival (OS) after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer.MethodsWe included consecutive patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer between 2000 and 2017 at 11 tertiary centers in 8 countries (USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Korea, Australia). Model performance for prediction of OS was evaluated by calibration statistics and Uno's C-statistic for discrimination. Validation followed the TRIPOD statement.ResultsOverall, 3081 patients (53% male, median age 66 years) were included with a median OS of 24 months, of whom 38% had N2 disease and 77% received adjuvant chemotherapy. Predictions of 3-year OS were fairly similar to observed OS with a calibration slope of 0.72. Statistical updating of the model resulted in an increase of the C-statistic from 0.63 to 0.65 (95% CI 0.64–0.65), ranging from 0.62 to 0.67 across different countries. The area under the curve for the prediction of 3-year OS was 0.71 after updating. Median OS was 36, 25 and 15 months for the low, intermediate and high risk group, respectively (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis large international study validated and updated the Amsterdam model for survival prediction after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer. The model incorporates readily available variables with a fairly accurate model performance and robustness across different countries, while novel markers may be added in the future. The risk groups and web-based calculator www.pancreascalculator.com may facilitate use in daily practice and future trials.