Facial manifestations of Epstein–Barr virus‐related lymphoproliferative disease in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission: Two atypical presentations

Epstein–Barr virus‐related lymphoproliferative disease (EBV‐LPD) rarely occurs in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), who have not received hematopoietic transplantation. We describe EBV‐LPD manifesting as facial lesions in two children with ALL in remission. One patient was a 16‐year‐old male with T‐cell ALL with an EBV‐positive angiocentric polymorphous lip lesion presenting as right‐sided facial swelling. The other patient was a 12‐year‐old male with B‐cell ALL with an EBV‐positive polymorphous lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate presenting as bilateral dacryoadenitis. Neither patient had known primary immunodeficiencies. Both cases improved with immunosuppressant de‐escalation. These cases suggest that immunosuppression induced by maintenance chemotherapy is sufficient to promote EBV‐LPD.     

Iron overload in survivors of childhood leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract:  Iron overload has not been studied extensively and prospectively in pediatric survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); therefore, we conducted a prospective long-term study of 133 survivors of childhood leukemia to assess the incidence of and risk factors for iron overload and to investigate its association with organ dysfunction. One yr after HSCT, the mean serum ferritin level was 1158 ng/mL (range, 22–3264 ng/mL), with 124 patients (93.2%) having a serum ferritin level that exceeded the upper limit of the normal range (110 ng/mL). Thereafter, the serum ferritin level declined over time. There was a positive correlation between the level of serum ferritin and that of total bilirubin (r   =   0.21, p < 0.001) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (r   =   0.17, p < 0.001). A high concentration of serum ferritin was associated with low cardiac fractional shortening (r   = −0.15, p  =  0.047). In addition, patients with hypothyroidism and GH deficiency had a higher level of serum ferritin than those without (p < 0.02). We conclude that iron overload is common after HSCT and is associated with hepatic, cardiac, and endocrine dysfunction.     

Transient seizure‐related MRI abnormalities in a child with primary Epstein–Barr virus infection

We describe the case of a 6‐year‐old girl with typical infectious mononucleosis syndrome complicated by clustered right hemiconvulsions and disturbed consciousness. Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging on admission demonstrated reduced diffusion in the left temporo‐posterior cortex and pulvinar of the ipsilateral thalamus. Her neurological symptoms resolved completely by the next day, with complete disappearance of abnormal signal intensities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Elevated cerebrospinal fluid interleukin (IL)‐6 with normal IL‐10 might indicate a neuroprotective role of IL‐6 rather than injury. We concluded that the MRI abnormalities could have been due to the seizure activity itself rather than Epstein–Barr virus‐associated encephalitis. The recognition of transient seizure‐related MRI abnormalities may help in the diagnostic approach to MRI changes in suspected encephalopathy.     

Bullous pemphigoid after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by subepidermal blisters due to deposit of autoantibody against dermal basement membrane protein. It has been reported that BP can occur after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We describe a patient with BP having autoantibody against BP180 after unrelated‐donor HSCT against T lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient was treated with steroid leading to complete resolution of BP, but T lymphoblastic leukemia progressed rapidly after steroid hormone treatment. Given that immunosuppressant may reduce graft‐versus‐tumor effect, immunomodulatory agents such as nicotinamide and tetracycline, erythromycin, and immunoglobulin may be appropriate as soon as typical blister lesions are seen after HSCT.     

Chronic high Epstein–Barr viral load carriage in pediatric small bowel transplant recipients

Lau AH, Soltys K, Sindhi RK, Bond G, Mazariegos GV, Green M. Chronic high Epstein–Barr viral load carriage in pediatric small bowel transplant recipients.
Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:549–553. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: The development of EBV infection and PTLD is normally associated with a high EBV load in peripheral blood. Often, children undergoing primary or reactivation of EBV infection subsequent to ITx will have chronically elevated EBV loads. To better understand this phenomenon and its consequences, we retrospectively reviewed the records of children who underwent ITx (either isolated or part of multivisceral transplantation) at our center from 1992 to 2007, to identify chronic high EBV load carriers in this population. CHL state was defined as the presence of high load for >50% of samples for greater than or equal to six months following either asymptomatic infection or complete clinical resolution of EBV disease/PTLD. Thirty‐five CHL carriers were identified from our patient population. Pretransplant serologies were available on 34 of these patients: 17 were EBV negative and 17 seropositive; one had unknown EBV serostatus prior to transplant. Seven of the 17 seronegative patients developed their CHL carrier state at the time of their primary EBV infection. Thirteen of the 35 (37%) HLC patients developed EBV disease after meeting the definition of high‐load carrier states. EBV‐related diseases developing in CHL carriers included EBV adenitis (n = 1), EBV enteritis (n = 7), PTLD (n = 4), and EBV+ spindle cell tumor (n = 1). Disease was seen in 7/17 of the seronegative (one PTLD) and 6/17 of the seropositive patients (three PTLD). Thirteen of 35 patients (37%) resolved their CHL state without apparent sequelae while nine remain asymptomatic CHL carriers. Three children have had more than one episode of CHL. These data provide important information about the outcome of chronic EBV high‐load carriage in pediatric intestinal transplant recipients.     

Spontaneous resolution of Epstein–Barr virus‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) is a reactive, proliferative disorder of the immune system resulting in lymphohistiocytic proliferation, hemophagocytosis, and cytokine dysregulation. The most common infectious trigger in sHLH is Epstein–Barr virus (EBV‐HLH). Current treatment protocols for EBV‐HLH have a cure rate of approximately 75%; however, there are significant toxicities associated with these therapies. We present two patients with EBV‐HLH who experienced spontaneous resolution of their disease prior to the initiation of therapy, suggesting there may be a subgroup of patients with EBV‐HLH who do well with conservative management and can avoid potentially toxic therapies. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:754–756. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

异基因造血干细胞移植治疗儿童急性髓系白血病临床研究

目的评估应用异基因造血干细胞移植(allo-HSCT)治疗儿童急性髓系白血病(AML)的临床疗效及相关影响因素。方法回顾分析2002年1月至2017年11月49例确诊中、高危及复发AML行allo-HSCT患儿的临床资料,分析危险度分级、HLA分型、移植前状态、移植方式、干细胞来源及急慢性移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)等对allo-HSCT治疗效果的影响。结果 49例患儿中男35例、女14例,中位年龄9岁。三年总体存活率(OS)为(59.2±7.3)%,无白血病存活率(LFS)为(50.9±7.4)%。其中第1次缓解状态移植、非血缘移植、外周血干细胞移植、中危组移植的三年LFS分别为69.8%、69. 2%、73. 7%、65. 8%。19例死亡,分别为复发13例、严重感染5例、多器官衰竭1例。COX回归模型结果显示,急性GVHD是影响移植OS的独立危险因素(RR=3. 16,95%CI:1. 23～8. 09,P=0. 017),移植前状态为部分缓解及未缓解是影响移植LFS的独立危险因素(RR=4.76,95%CI:1.52～14.94,P=0.008;RR=5.28,95%CI:1.68～16.58,P=0.004)。结论移植前状态及急性GVHD是影响Allo-HSCT治疗儿童AML疗效的关键因素;白血病复发及感染是导致死亡的主要原因。     

Splenic infarction in a child with primary Epstein–Barr virus infection

Described herein is the case of a previously healthy 7‐year‐old girl who had splenic infarction. This lesion was identified 1 day after the first presentation of peri‐umbilical and right upper quadrant pain. She had abnormal hepatic function and mild splenomegaly, and was diagnosed as having primary Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection. Coagulation profiles indicated low plasma activity of protein C (49%) and protein S (47%), which normalized 3 weeks later. Hypercoagulability in transient protein C and protein S deficiency might contribute to the development of splenic infarction in infectious mononucleosis.     

Long‐term monitoring of Epstein–Barr virus DNA load and humoral parameter abnormalities in pediatric liver transplant recipients before development of malignancy

Gregorek H, Jankowska I, Dzier?anowska‐Fangrat K, Teisseyre J, Sawicka A, Kasztelewicz B, Paw?owska J. Long‐term monitoring of Epstein–Barr virus DNA load and humoral parameter abnormalities in pediatric liver transplant recipients before development of malignancy.
Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:629–635. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: EBV loads and abnormalities of humoral responses were monitored in 51 pediatric liver transplant recipients as a proposed non‐invasive laboratory tool for early detection of changes preceding severe clinical complications. EBV DNA load, concentrations of IgM, IgG, IgA, and monoclonal proteins were determined in each blood sample. EBV DNA was detected in 70.6% of the children, dysgammaglobulinemia of one or more Ig isotype was present in 41.2% of them. MG detected in 43.1% of patients correlated with the presence of EBV DNA (p = 0.003) and was usually preceded by hypergammaglobulinemia. The median maximum EBV load was significantly higher in EBV DNA+/MG+ patients than in EBV DNA+/MG‐ patients (p = 0.04), although there was no correlation between current viral load and appearance of MG. Four of 15 EBV DNA‐negative patients developed MG, preceded by hypergammaglobulinemia in two. Minimization or cessation of immunosuppression in 42 patients, in whom abnormal biomarkers and/or clinical symptoms raised suspicion of disease progression, permitted complete resolution of abnormalities in all but one patient who developed B‐NHL and died. Simultaneous monitoring of protein profiles and EBV DNA load together with thorough physical evaluation of children after LTx is important for early implementation of suitable preemptive therapy.     

Outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation of children with very high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first complete remission

Schechter T, Ishaqi KM, Rojas M, Irina Z, Doyle JJ, Gassas A. Outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation of children with very high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first complete remission.
Pediatr Transplantation 2010:14: 377–382. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Approximately 10% of children with ALL present at diagnosis with VHR for relapse if treated with chemotherapy alone. They may benefit from allogeneic HSCT in CR1. We have reviewed the outcome of this population in our institution. Forty‐three patients (median age: 8.9 yr) with VHR ALL in CR1 underwent HSCT from October 1994 to April 2006. VHR features included Philadelphia chromosome (n = 17), induction failure (n = 9), hypodiploidy (n = 6), MLL gene rearrangement (n = 5), and others (n = 6). All patients received TBI (1200 cGy) with either CY and/or etoposide. Stem cell source was unrelated (n = 24) and related (n = 19). Incidence of grade III‐IV acute GVHD and chronic extensive GVHD were 25% and 16%, respectively. Twelve patients relapsed (eight received related HSCT). Eleven patients died due to transplant‐related mortality (eight received unrelated HSCT). For a median follow up of 39 months (range 11–110), the event free survival and OS were 0.49 (95% CI: 0.31–0.67) and 0.53 (CI: 0.44–0.71), respectively. Outcomes of children with VHR ALL receiving HSCT in CR1 remain unsatisfactory. Relapse, mainly after related HSCT, and TRM, mainly after unrelated HSCT, continue to be major problems.     

Low‐dose azacitidine maintenance therapy after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for high‐risk pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

The dismal prognosis of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapsing after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) requires exploration of novel strategies to prevent relapse. Azacitidine (AZA) maintenance therapy could potentially reduce the recurrence rate post HSCT. Here, we presents the cases of three children with high‐risk AML post HSCT who were treated with low‐dose AZA maintenance therapy, demonstrating the feasibility of this therapy. Currently, all three are in complete remission for 13–41 months despite their high‐risk characteristics. Our encouraging data warrant larger prospective studies to assess the efficacy and safety of low‐dose AZA maintenance therapy post HSCT for pediatric patients with high‐risk AML.     

造血干细胞移植治疗儿童白血病若干问题

该文涉及各类儿童造血干细胞移植(HSCT),如骨髓移植(BMT)、外周血造血干细胞移植(PBSCT)和脐血移植(UCBT)治疗白血病的优缺点及HSCT在儿童白血病治疗中的地位。绝大多数儿童白血病可通过正规联合化疗根治,仅少数(约20%)高危、难治及复发的白血病是异基因HSCT的适应证,无适合的同胞供体时,可选择HLA全相合非血缘相关BMT或PBSCT,UD-UCBT更适合于儿童患者。     

异基因造血干细胞移植治疗儿童慢性粒细胞性白血病的疗效分析

目的：研究异基因造血干细胞移植（allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, allo-HSCT）治疗儿童慢性粒细胞性白血病（chronic myelogenous leukemia, CML）的治疗效果,寻找可能的影响因素,以期改善患者预后。方法：对接受allo-HSCT治疗的20例儿童CML患者,分别从年龄、性别、诊断至移植间隔时间、供受体HLA配型相合情况、移植时患儿疾病状态以及急慢性移植物抗宿主病（gost-v-host disease, GVHD）等多种因素进行疗效分析。结果：截止至随访日期,20例患者中,13例无病存活,7例死亡,其中4例死于急性重度GVHD,2例死于慢性GVHD及其并发症,1例死于移植后复发,3年总无病生存率为（64.6±1.1%）。单因素分析显示年龄是影响儿童CML治疗预后最重要的因素之一（P0.05）。多因素logistic回归分析也进一步证明仅年龄是影响预后的因素（P<0.01）。各种严重急慢性 GVHD是引起患者死亡最重要的原因。选择10位点全相合的供体进行移植治疗预后好。结论：allo-HSCT能有效治疗儿童CML,对于年龄≥10岁的CML患儿宜早期行allo-HSCT移植治疗,且尽可能选择10位点全相合的供体进行移植,积极防治GVHD,改善CML患儿移植治疗后的转归。     

Detectable minimal residual disease before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation predicts extremely poor prognosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND: The level of minimal residual disease (MRD) prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been shown to be an independent prognostic factor for outcome of pediatric patients with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Retrospective studies which used (semi-) quantitation of clone-specific immunoglobulin/T-cell receptor (Ig/TCR) rearrangements have documented the feasibility and practicality of this technique. This approach has also been disputed due to the occurrence of clonal evolution and generally high MRD levels prior to HSCT. PROCEDURE: In our prospective study, MRD before and after HSCT was monitored using quantitative real-time PCR in a cohort of 36 children with ALL consecutively transplanted in our center between VIII/2000 and VII/2004. RESULTS: In 25 of 36 patients, MRD level prior HSCT was assessed. Seventeen patients were classified as MRD-negative and eight were MRD-positive up to 9 x 10(-2). In MRD-positive subgroup, seven events (six relapses) occurred post-transplant in striking contrast to only one relapse in MRD-negative subgroup (event-free survival (EFS) log-rank P < 0.0001). MRD proved to be the only significant prognostic factor in a multivariate analysis (P < 0.0001). Adoptive immunotherapy including donor lymphocyte infusions in patients with adverse dynamics of MRD after HSCT had only limited and/or temporary effect. Clonal evolution did not present a problem precluding MRD monitoring in any of patients suffering a post-transplant relapse. CONCLUSIONS: We show that MRD quantitation using clonal Ig/TCR rearrangements successfully assesses the risk in pediatric ALL patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT. As our ability to treat detectable MRD levels after HSCT is very limited, alternative strategies for MRD-positive patients prior HSCT are necessary.     

The role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and Epstein‐Barr virus infection on the treatment for child primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis patients with X‐linked lymphoproliferative disease: A rare case report and family survey study

XLP‐2 is known as a rare primary immunodeficiency disease, which is characterized by the susceptibility to EBV infection and potential development into the pHLH. The existing studies believe that the dysfunction of XIAP represents one of the most significant pathogenic mechanisms of XLP‐2, and allo‐HSCT is regarded as a crucial treatment for the long‐term survival in XLP‐2 patients. In our present study, a 2‐year‐old male patient was diagnosed with XLP‐2. After receiving chemotherapy by using HLH‐2004 without allo‐HSCT, he reached a complete remission, and his EBV load was brought under control. Our family survey revealed a novel frameshift mutation in the XIAP gene in this patient, as well as in his cousin and grandfather. Until now, the patient has been followed up for 22 months with no recurrence reported yet. Based on these findings, it is believed that for child pHLH patients with XLP‐2, the treatment by controlling symptoms alone without allo‐HSCT and with regular monitoring of EBV load could be conducive to a long‐term survival.