Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Patient with Pituitary Dwarfism under Treatment with Growth Hormone

An 18-year-old male with pituitary dwarfism, who had been on replacement of growth hormone (GH) and thyroxine for 3.5 years, developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The GH replacement was discontinued, and he was treated with a conventional protocol for ALL. A complete remission was obtained after 10 weeks. Maintenance chemotherapy was given with reduced doses (1/4 to 1/2) of cytotoxic drugs. The platelet count soon reached 200,000/μL, but the hemoglobin level and white blood cell count improved only slowly, reaching 10.0 g/dL and 1,500/μL, respectively, after five months. He has been in complete remission with a hypocellular bone marrow for nearly 15 months. Since GH can stimulate the proliferation of some normal and leukemic hemato-lymphoid cells, the slow remission induction and the prolonged anemia and leukocytopenia after remission, may have been related to the absence of GH in this patient.     

Immunophenotyping to Detect and Characterize Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in Testicular Biopsies

This study establishes the utility of immunophenotyping testicular biopsy specimens in patients with acute lymphoid leukemia. The value of immunophenotyping in detecting or excluding leukemic testicular infiltration is demonstrated in six children with acute lymphocytic leukemia. A panel of monoclonal antibodies was employed on snap-frozen testicular biopsies, allowing both detection and immunologic characterization of four neoplastic lymphocytic infiltrates. Two samples were proven both histologically and phenotypically negative for leukemic infiltration. One of the four leukemic cases was clinically silent and might have escaped detection except for phenotyping. One leukemic infiltrate was also suspected to possess a multidrug-resistant phenotype (-glycoprotein +); the latter possibility was excluded by an absence of reactivity with anti-p-glycoprotein monoclonal antibody. Thus, three clinically useful applications are demonstrated: (1) confirmation of testicular leukemic relapse, gaining assertion in histologically uncertain cases; (2) exclusion of clinically suspected disease relevant to cessation of therapy, and (3) detection/exclusion of drug-resistant phenotypes. Unexpectedly, we found expression of plasma cell-associated antigen in testicular germ cells, which may prove to be diagnostically useful in the future evaluation of germ cell tumors.     

Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal-Testicular Function in Prepubertal Boys with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia following Chemotherapy and Testicular Radiotherapy

ABSTRACT. Hypothalamo-hypophyseal-testicular function was studied in twenty-eight prepubertal boys with ALL in clinical and haematological remission. Eighteen were treated with combined systemic chemotherapy (24–36 months) and the other ten, who had testicular leukemic infiltrates, received chemotherapy (38–60 months) and testicular radiotherapy (2000 rad). Plasma levels of LH and FSH were measured before and after stimulation with LHRH (100 μg i.v.) and plasma levels of testosterone before and after stimulation with hCG (1500 IU/48 h/7 doses). In patients treated with chemotherapy alone, mean basal LH and FSH, mean responses to LHRH stimulation and mean testosterone levels after stimulation with hCG did not significantly differ from those of the controls. Five of these patients who had normal testosterone values after three doses of hCG had testosterone values below the normal range after seven doses. In patients treated with chemotherapy and testicular radiotherapy, mean basal FSH and mean responses to LHRH stimulation were significantly higher than those of the controls. Testosterone values after stimulation with hCG were low in three and very low in the other seven. In both groups of patients data from testicular biopsies were consistent with functional results. We conclude that chemotherapy causes slight testicular damage, but chemotherapy and testicular radiotherapy produce severe testicular damage in patients with testicular leukemic infiltrates.     

Massive Metastatic Pulmonary Calcification in an Infant with Aleukemic Monocytic Leukemia

An 18-month-old infant with aleukemic monocytic leukemia and osteoclastic bone resorption demonstrated in the pelvis, vertebral bodies, and ribs developed severe refractory hypercalcemia. Bilateral interstitial pulmonary radiopacities developed rapidly, accompanied by hypoxemia and hypercapnea. Von Kossa staining of an open lung biopsy revealed extensive, finely granular metastatic septal calcifications not apparent on H&E-stained sections. Autopsy revealed the massive nature of the pulmonary calcinosis and the presence of additional calcifications in the atrial subendocardium, liver, kidneys, vessels, and skin. Metastatic pulmonary calcification has been infrequently described in infants, and premortem detection of such deposits has been rarely reported. The Von Kossa stain is useful in detecting minute pulmonary calcifications which may radiographically simulate infiltrates of infectious origin. infiltrates of infectious origin.     

Immunohistochemical Detection of Post-Therapy Residual Testicular Lymphoblasts in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (All)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) in detecting residual blast cells in testicular biopsies from children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In a prospective study of 26 patients, testicular biopsies were performed after completion of therapy, and the average follow-up after biopsies was 29 months. After immunostaining, seven patients with negative biopsies on routine histology showed scattered, strongly calla-positive cells as well as cells reacting with anti-B (CD22) MoAb. Among these seven patients with residual blast cells, four had relapsed either in testes (n = 1), bone marrow and testes (n = 1), or in the bone marrow (n = 2). In contrast, among the 15 patients without residual blast cells, all but 1 remained in complete remission. In four other cases no definite conclusion was possible after immunohistochemical study. Four testicular biopsies from patients with occult infiltration were used as positive controls. Negative controls consisted of testicular biopsies from children with testicular ectopia and postmortem testicular tissue specimens. Results suggest that the risk of relapse is significantly higher in patients with positive immunohistochemical findings indicating persistent residual blast cells. However, the predictive value of these findings requires confirmation on a larger number of cases to have therapeutic implications.     

Immunohistochemical Detection of Post-Therapy Residual Testicular Lymphoblasts in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (All)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) in detecting residual blast cells in testicular biopsies from children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In a prospective study of 26 patients, testicular biopsies were performed after completion of therapy, and the average follow-up after biopsies was 29 months. After immunostaining, seven patients with negative biopsies on routine histology showed scattered, strongly calla-positive cells as well as cells reacting with anti-B (CD22) MoAb. Among these seven patients with residual blast cells, four had relapsed either in testes (n = 1), bone marrow and testes (n = 1), or in the bone marrow (n = 2). In contrast, among the 15 patients without residual blast cells, all but 1 remained in complete remission. In four other cases no definite conclusion was possible after immunohistochemical study. Four testicular biopsies from patients with occult infiltration were used as positive controls. Negative controls consisted of testicular biopsies from children with testicular ectopia and postmortem testicular tissue specimens. Results suggest that the risk of relapse is significantly higher in patients with positive immunohistochemical findings indicating persistent residual blast cells. However, the predictive value of these findings requires confirmation on a larger number of cases to have therapeutic implications.     

Noonan's Syndrome in Association with Acute Leukemia

Noonan's syndrome (NS) is a syndrome with multiple congenital anomalies, characterized by craniofacial anomalies, congenital heart disease, skeletal and genital abnormalities, and mild mental retardation. Chromosomal abnormalities have been found in only a few cases. The combination of NS and acute leukemia has been reported in only three cases. Two additional cases are described here.     

COALL-97方案治疗急性淋巴细胞白血病临床及实验室研究

目的　引用德国儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病协作组 (cooperativeALLstudygroup ,COALL)的COALL 97方案治疗急性淋巴细胞白血病 (ALL) ,从临床疗效防治及目前国内外选用有效治疗ALL的药物 ,左旋门冬酰胺酶 (L Asp)的药代动力学方面 ,探讨在我国治疗儿童ALL的最佳方案及L Asp的最佳给药方式。方法　ALL患儿 1 2例自愿接受COALL 97方案在我院完成早期强化治疗后 ,回当地继续口服巯基嘌呤 (6 MP) /硫鸟嘌呤 (6 TG)加甲氨蝶呤 (MTX)持续治疗 ,每隔 3个月、半年来院复查 ,总疗程 1 .5～ 2 .0年。结果　诱导治疗后d1 4做骨髓检查 8例呈缓解骨髓像 ,治疗 2 8d后 1 2例均完全缓解 (CR) ,CR率1 0 0 % ,HR ALL患儿 1例CR后 1 0个月时骨髓复发并重症感染死亡。应用高压液相色谱技术 (HR HPLC)检测 1次注射 40 0 0 0U/m2 L Asp后能使血清和脑脊液 (CSF)中门冬酰胺 (ASN)浓度降低 ,并持续至第 5周后回升。 结论　COALL 97方案可被我国ALL患儿所接受 ;在治疗ALL的临床实践中 ,该方案确有可借鉴之处 ;1次 / 2～ 6周静脉注射 40 0 0 0U/m2 L Asp联合化疗的用药方式不仅作用强、持续时间长 ,耐药性小、不良反应少 ,且避免患儿每天或隔天静脉注射痛苦及患儿家长的经济和精神负担。     

Leukemic Coronary Artery Occlusion in a Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

A 2-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia initially experienced pericardial effusion during the maintenance treatment due to leukemic infiltration of the pericardium and cardiac muscle. He subsequently died suddenly owing to leukemic occlusion of the left coronary artery.     

Intrathecal Chemotherapy-Related Myeloencephalopathy in a Young Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Since the mid-1960s intrathecal chemotherapy (methotrexate [MTX], cytarabine [Ara-C], or both, plus hydrocortisone) has constituted the standard approach to prophylaxis and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) leukemia and lymphoma. Intrathecal chemotherapy-related neurotoxicity has been described in a variable proportion of patients. At least 35 cases of subacute myeloencephalopathy with transient or permanent paraplegia/quadriplegia after intrathecal chemotherapy have been reported. Different factors have been cited: high cumulative MTX dose, meningeal leukemia, cranial irradiation, and preservatives in MTX and Ara-C. A direct toxic effect of the intrathecal chemotherapy seems the most likely mechanism. Early imaging studies are usually normal. We describe a nonfatal case of permanent flaccid quadriplegia after the fourth triple intrathecal chemotherapy in a 6-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and no evidence of meningeal involvement. Six months after intrathecal chemotherapy, CNS magnetic resonance imaging showed severe atrophy of spine, cerebellum, and cerebral hemispheres. The outcome of reported cases is diverse. No treatment has been shown to reverse neurotoxicity. Among the cases reported in the literature, complete recovery of neurologic deficits was observed in 9 patients, partial recovery with variable sequelae in 6, no recovery in 8, and 13 patients died from the initial oncologic disease or neurotoxicity progression.     

儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病髓外白血病预防研究进展

髓外白血病预防是儿童ALL治疗的关键之一.三联鞘注、大剂量甲氨蝶呤治疗和颅脑放疗是中枢神经系统白血病常用预防治疗方法,其中颅脑放疗仅用于初诊时已有中枢神经系统白血病和WBC≥100×109 L-1的T-ALL.当出现睾丸白血病时,应及时使用双侧睾丸放疗或患侧手术切除,并辅以全身强化治疗和大剂量甲氨蝶呤治疗,以避免睾丸白血病再次复发.     

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia as a Second Malignant Neoplasm in a Child with Medulloblastoma

Second malignant neoplasm in childhood is increasing due to advances in therapy modalities. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a second malignancy following the treatment of medulloblastoma is a very rare condition. A 13-year-old boy was diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia following radiotherapy and chemotherapy for treatment of medulloblastoma.     

儿童白血病感染与血浆纤维结合蛋白的关系

研究纤维结合蛋白和白血病发生感染的关系，其是体内重要的生物活性物质。采用Ｌａｕｒｅｌｌ‘ｓ火箭免疫电泳法检测３５例急性白血病患儿血中纤维结合蛋白水平，重点观察各种感染时的变化。急性白血病患儿无发生感染时血中纤维结合蛋白含量与正常对照无差别，有感染发生者Ｆｎ即显著降低，感染越严重血中Ｆｎ下降就越显著。血浆Ｆｎ水平动态监测不仅对了解急性白血病理生理机制有益，而且对临床监测病情有帮助，更重要的是为临床治