Risk of progressive kidney damage after acute leukemia

In order to evaluate potential long-term renal sequelae of childhood leukemia, we studied 62 consecutive patients successfully treated for acute leukemia in 1971-83. At the time of this follow-up study they had been off therapy for 1-9 years and they were all in complete remission. Relative renal length was measured from X-ray films of intravenous pyelograms. Median relative renal length prior to the start of chemotherapy was +1.0 SD (range -1.5 to +4.0, n = 35), at discontinuation of therapy +0.5 SD (range -1.5 to +2.2, n = 22), and at follow-up -0.3 SD (range -3.9 to +2.6, n = 61). The mean calculated decrease in relative kidney size was 0.1 SD unit per year during the follow-up time. The median glomerular filtration rate was 110 ml/min/1.73 m2 (range 70 to 164). Six of 60 patients had glomerular filtration rates below 85 ml/min/1.73 m2. Three patients had some evidence of tubular dysfunction documented by increased excretion of urinary amino acids and/or beta-2-microglobulin or by reduced concentrating capacity. In spite of these abnormalities, we conclude that in most long-term survivors of childhood leukemia renal size and function are relatively well preserved. However, slightly reduced glomerular filtration rates in some patients indicated renal damage. A longer follow-up time is needed to find out whether the decrease in relative renal length is still continuing.     

Late effects of childhood malignancies seen in Western Australia.

Eighty-nine pediatric oncology patients, in remission and off treatment for at least 4 years, were reviewed annually in the Late Effects Clinic of Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Perth, Western Australia. Interval from time of diagnosis to follow-up ranged from 4 to 23 years (mean 10.8 years). Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (40%) and Wilms' tumor (27%) were the most common primary malignancies in this group. Late sequelae included musculoskeletal abnormalities (23 children), growth hormone deficiency (11), second tumors (9), learning difficulties (7), puberty and fertility problems (4), and hypothyroidism (4). These complications were most often related to radiation therapy. The need for prolonged, regular follow-up of survivors of childhood malignancy for early detection of late sequelae and subsequent intervention is stressed.     

Risk of Progressive Kidney Damage after Acute Leukemia

ABSTRACT. In order to evaluate potential long-term renal sequelae of childhood leukemia, we studied 62 consecutive patients successfully treated for acute leukemia in 1971–83. At the time of this follow-up study they had been off therapy for 1–9 years and they were all in complete remission. Relative renal length was measured from X-ray films of intravenous pyelograms. Median relative renal length prior to the start of chemotherapy was + 1.0 SD (range −1.5 to + 4.0, n = 35), at discontinuation of therapy + 0.5 SD (range −1.5 to + 2.2, n = 22), and at follow-up −0.3 SD (range −3.9 to + 2.6, n = 61). The mean calculated decrease in relative kidney size was 0.1 SD unit per year during the follow-up time. The median glomerular filtration rate was 110 ml/min/1.73 m² (range 70 to 164). Six of 60 patients had glomerular filtration rates below 85 ml/min/1.73 m². Three patients had some evidence of tubular dysfunction documented by increased excretion of urinary amino acids and/or beta-2-micro-globulin or by reduced concentrating capacity. In spite of these abnormalities, we conclude that in most long-term survivors of childhood leukemia renal size and function are relatively well preserved. However, slightly reduced glomerular filtration rates in some patients indicated renal damage. A longer follow-up time is needed to find out whether the decrease in relative renal length is still continuing.     

Psychological late effects of leukemia in children and their prevention

The psychological and intellectual sequelae of childhood leukemia and its treatment were examined in 48 children with acute leukemia in long remission. Verbal and performance IQ values were determined in addition to full scale IQ. Performance was worse than the verbal IQ in children who were less than six years old at the time of diagnosis. Cranial irradiation even in repeated doses of 2,400 rads had no effect on these children's intellects. Most of the patients, however, showed severe emotional problems when constructing their “world” from given objects. The frequency and severity of these emotional problems could be much alleviated by regular psychological care.     

Dental abnormalities in long-term survivors of head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma

To define the long-term dental sequelae of therapy for childhood rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck, and to identify factors in their development, we retrospectively reviewed the serial panoramic radiographs and clinical records of 22 survivors of head or neck rhabdomyosarcoma who had been followed for at least 5 years. Patients were divided into four groups based upon age at the time of therapy and three groups based upon radiation doses. All patients had received similar multiagent chemotherapy. Dental sequelae of oncotherapy occurred in over half of the long-term survivors of head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma. The abnormalities comprised root stunting in 54%, microdontia in 23%, and hypodontia in 50% of patients; 36% had multiple abnormalities. Microdontia and multiple abnormalities were more prevalent in patients treated at the earliest age, and abnormalities tended to be more prevalent with increasing doses of radiation. Five patients (23%) developed severe cosmetic and/or functional sequelae necessitating surgical and/or orthodontic intervention. The high frequency of dental sequelae we observed suggests that meticulous long-term dental and radiographic follow-up are needed. Early detection and treatment of the complications of therapy will expedite their correction and minimize morbidity. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

血管内皮生长因子及其受体在急性白血病儿童骨髓和血浆中的表达

目的　血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)与实体瘤的发生、发展和预后相关,但其与儿童急性白血病的 关系尚不明确。本实验通过检测VEGF及其受体fms样酪氨酸激酶受体(Flt 1)及含激酶插入区受体(KDR)在儿 童急性白血病的表达情况,分析它们与儿童急性白血病的发生与预后的关系,为进一步研究抗白血病治疗新靶点 提供思路。方法　采用RT PCR法检测21例初发和复发、20例缓解后白血病患儿和5例健康儿童骨髓单个核细 胞VEGF、Flt 1、KDRmRNA的表达。使用酶联免疫吸附法检测上述患儿及20例正常儿童外周血VEGF蛋白浓度。 结果　健康儿童骨髓单个核细胞均未检测到VEGF及其受体Flt 1,KDR的表达。90%(19/21)初发/复发白血病 患儿骨髓单个核细胞表达VEGF,86%(18/21)表达Flt 1,30%(6/20)缓解后白血病患儿骨髓单个核细胞表达 VEGF,15%(3/20)表达Flt 1,两组差异有显著性(均P<0.001)。初发/复发组VEGF和Flt 1阳性率与正常组 [0%(0/5);0%(0/5)]比较差异有显著性(均P<0.001),而缓解组与正常组比较差异无显著性。两组白血病患 儿未检测到KDR表达。初发/复发组血浆VEGF浓度为405±270pg/mL,高于缓解组(136±98pg/mL,P<0.01) 和正常组(91±41pg/mL,P<0.01)。缓解组与正常组比较差异无显著性。结论　白血病患儿表达VEG     

ALL-XH-99方案治疗儿童急性淋巴细胞性白血病疗效分析

目的：由上海新华医院／上海儿童医学中心制定的治疗儿童急性淋巴细胞性白血病（ALL）的ALL-XH-99方案已在该院实施10年了。该文旨在评估应用此方案治疗儿童急性淋巴细胞性白血病（ALL）的疗效,并探讨儿童ALL的预后因素。方法：回顾分析1998年1月～2007年4月在该院采用ALL-XH-99方案治疗的儿童ALL的临床资料。该研究在ALL-XH-99方案的基础上作了一些小的修订,即对高危患儿也未给予颅脑放射治疗。采用Kaplan-Meier方法评估患儿的无事生存率（EFS）,组间患儿EFS差异用log-rank检验。采用逐步Cox比例风险模型分析ALL的预后因素。结果：115 例患儿得到了全程的ALL-XH-99方案治疗,其中低、中、高危患儿分别为62、12、41人。这115例患儿总的5年EFS率为（69.0±5.0）%,其中低危、中危、高危组5年的EFS率分别为(82.0±6.0)%、(77.0±15.0)% 和 (43.0±11.0)% （P< 0.01）。16例(13.9%)复发,复发的中位时间为17个月。所有病例均未采取颅脑放疗,中枢神经系统白血病复发率（2/115,1.7%）并未高于既往报道。多因素分析显示白血病危险分度、t(9;22)/bcr/abl融合基因和白细胞计数是儿童ALL独立的不利预后因素,其风险比例分别为1.867、3.397和2.236。结论：采用ALL-XH-99方案治疗儿童ALL疗效满意,取得了与发达国家类似的EFS率。t(9;22)/bcr/abl融合基因为儿童ALL最重要的不利预后因素。在强有力的系统化疗和鞘内注射条件下,对所有患儿可取消颅脑放疗以减少副作用。     

Isolated cerebral calcifications after prophylactic treatment of cerebromeningeal involvement of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: relation of psycho-intellectual sequelae

Intracranial calcifications were demonstrated by CT scan in 5 children after complete remission of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Initial treatment included prophylactic irradiation of central nervous system and intrathecal methotrexate. Behavioral abnormalities or learning difficulties were clinically apparent in all children at the time of the radiologic examination. Isolated intracranial calcifications represent one of possible cerebral sequelae that are to be found in 53% of children receiving treatment for ALL. No fine correlation between direct toxic effect of methotrexate or, post-radiation lesion, and neuro-psychological sequelae can be done. In an attempt to avoid some of this sequelae, suppression of cranial irradiation from ALL treatment protocols is now studied.     

Physical Activity and Late Effects in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Long-Term Survivors

In the present study the authors evaluated therapy-related long-term adverse effects and physical activity in a cohort of long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), diagnosed in their center between March 1991 and August 2000, treated according to the AIEOP (Associazione Italiana di Ematologia e Oncologia Pediatrica) ALL 91 or 95 study protocol and regularly seen in the authors’ long-term follow-up unit. The authors analyzed the long-term sequelae of major body systems in this cohort of subjects and administered an “ad hoc” questionnaire concerning sport. The authors found that 70 patients out of 102 (68.5%) showed no late effects, 10% presented only instrumental or neuropsychological test abnormalities, and 21.5% had 1 or more clinical late sequelae. None of the evidenced late effects represented a contraindication to do physical activity. Sixty-one percent of survivors do physical activity, most of them regularly. Sixty-one percent of males and 18.5% of females (P < .005) do competitive sport (sports rates are similar to those of the general age-matched population). Nearly all subjects spontaneously choose to do sport and think physical exercise is an important and useful resource for their health. The authors conclude that the more recent therapy regimens for leukemia treatment, excluding bone marrow transplantation, do not seem to cause such late effects as to prevent survivors from doing sport. Therefore, in the care of ALL survivors, physical activity is not only not contraindicated, but should also be promoted as much as possible. The development of specific educational programs is warranted as part of the care of cancer survivors.     

Physical activity and late effects in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia long-term survivors

In the present study the authors evaluated therapy-related long-term adverse effects and physical activity in a cohort of long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), diagnosed in their center between March 1991 and August 2000, treated according to the AIEOP (Associazione Italiana di Ematologia e Oncologia Pediatrica) ALL 91 or 95 study protocol and regularly seen in the authors' long-term follow-up unit. The authors analyzed the long-term sequelae of major body systems in this cohort of subjects and administered an "ad hoc" questionnaire concerning sport. The authors found that 70 patients out of 102 (68.5%) showed no late effects, 10% presented only instrumental or neuropsychological test abnormalities, and 21.5% had 1 or more clinical late sequelae. None of the evidenced late effects represented a contraindication to do physical activity. Sixty-one percent of survivors do physical activity, most of them regularly. Sixty-one percent of males and 18.5% of females (P < .005) do competitive sport (sports rates are similar to those of the general age-matched population). Nearly all subjects spontaneously choose to do sport and think physical exercise is an important and useful resource for their health. The authors conclude that the more recent therapy regimens for leukemia treatment, excluding bone marrow transplantation, do not seem to cause such late effects as to prevent survivors from doing sport. Therefore, in the care of ALL survivors, physical activity is not only not contraindicated, but should also be promoted as much as possible. The development of specific educational programs is warranted as part of the care of cancer survivors.     

Bone marrow transplantation improves survival for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in relapse: a preliminary report

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia of childhood is the most common malignant disease in children greater than 1 year of age. Chemotherapy has improved the survival of children with this disorder. More than 95% of children will achieve a remission with chemotherapy. However, 30% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who achieved a remission will have a relapse sometime after successful remission-inducing chemotherapy. Although a second remission can be induced in most of these children, in 10-40% a remission cannot be induced or they relapse shortly thereafter and develop refractory leukemia. We present in this preliminary report the early results of therapy for refractory leukemia with an intensive preparative regimen for bone marrow transplantation including etoposide, cytosine arabinoside, cyclophosphamide, and fractionated total body irradiation. Transplantation was done in twenty-three patients with refractory leukemia. Projected survival at 917 days after transplantation in these patients is 43.4% +/- 11%. The survival of these patients so far is similar to the survival of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia transplanted in second remission. All patients treated with this regimen who had transplantation in relapse were free of leukemia 27 days after transplantation. The results of this preliminary report suggest that an intensive preparative regimen can improve the outlook of refractory leukemia and may rescue some patients who otherwise would have died of their disease.     

福建医科大学附属协和医院住院儿童白血病初发病例资料分析

目的分析2000年至2007年福建医科大学附属协和医院住院儿童白血病的初发病例资料,为儿童白血病的防治提供参考依据。方法采用SPSS13.0分析软件对收集到的2000年至2007年福建医科大学附属协和医院初发儿童白血病资料进行统计分析。结果儿童白血病初发病例数由2000年66例上升到2007年的91例,平均年增长速度为4.1%。初发病例数的增加可能与环境因素的变化有关。2000年至2007年初发病例共597例,型别最多为ALL(65.7%),其次为AML(29.5%),CML(4.0%);ALL初发例数呈现逐年上升趋势,初发ALL的年龄分布以2～7岁组最多,AML则以8～14岁居多;白血病类型在性别及季节上差异无显著性。结论我院儿童白血病的初发病例数呈逐年上升趋势,提示加强儿童白血病的防治越显重要。     

Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma: Long-Term Sequelae in Visual, Auditory and Vestibular Function

Twenty-six children in continuous complete remission from leukemia or lymphoma and no longer receiving chemotherapy were studied to determine the long-term sequelae in visual, auditory and vestibular function. Ophthalmologic examination revealed cataracts in five patients and an abnormality in the retina in one patient. These abnormalities were not associated with any disturbance of visual acuity. By otorhinolaryngologic examination, slight hearing loss was observed in five patients and an abnoormal righting reflex in one patient. The etiologies of these abnormal findings in visual, auditory and vestibular function were discussed.     

188例急性淋巴细胞性白血病患儿的疗效及预后分析

目的 对中南大学湘雅医院、广西医科大学第一附属医院急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)患儿的治疗结果及影响无事件生存率(EFS)的因素进行分析.方法 所有病例均采用中华医学会儿科学分会血液学组1998年第二次修正的小儿ALL诊疗建议(简称荣成方案)化疗,采用Kaplan-Meier方法评估依从治疗的188例患儿EFS,组间患儿EFS差异用Log-rank检验,用COX比例风险模型分析独立因素对EFS的影响.结果 374例接受诱导治疗儿童的完全缓解(CR)率为93.6%(354例),全程依从治疗的188例ALL的5年EFS为(68.1±5.6)%,标危、高危组5年EFS分别为(75.2±6.0)%、(47.6±11.6)%;总复发率为10.6%,复发的中位时间为13个月;188例患儿中共有29例死亡,死亡率15.4%;化疗相关死亡13例(7.0%).危险度分组、t(9;22)/bcr-abl融合基因和白细胞计数为独立的不良预后因素.结论 两家医院通过荣成方案治疗儿童ALL的总EFS接近70%,需要进行更加详细的危险因素评估和分组,降低治疗相关死亡率,提高儿童ALL治疗的依从性,以进一步提高EFS.     

氯法拉滨治疗儿童复发/难治性急性淋巴细胞性白血病的疗效分析

目的：探讨氯法拉滨应用于儿童复发/难治性急性淋巴细胞性白血病的疗效和不良反应。方法：26例复发/难治性急性淋巴细胞性白血病患儿接受氯法拉滨单药治疗,男22例,女4例,中位年龄9.5岁（4~17岁）。患儿均接受连续5 d静脉滴注氯法拉滨（52 mg/m2,每次超过2 h）,其中13例患儿接受连续2次氯法拉滨单药化疗,1例患儿接受连续3次氯法拉滨单药化疗。结果：26例患儿第1次氯法拉滨化疗后11例（42%）获完全缓解,7例（27%）获部分缓解,总有效率69%,8例（31%）未缓解。26例患儿中,13例继续给予第2次氯法拉滨化疗后11例（85%）获完全缓解,1例（8%）部分缓解,1例（8%）未缓解。其中1例患儿接受3次氯法拉滨化疗均获完全缓解。化疗的不良反应主要为中性粒细胞减少、感染、肝功能损害、胃肠道反应,无化疗相关死亡病例。结论：氯法拉滨治疗儿童复发/难治性急性淋巴细胞性白血病有一定疗效,不良反应可以耐受,是一种新的治疗选择。     

AML_1-ETO阳性的儿童急性髓系白血病疗效分析

目的探讨儿童急性髓系白血病m2型伴AML1-ETO阳性患儿的疗效及预后相关因素。方法2003年1月至2008年12月收住AML1-ETO阳性儿童m233例,并对患儿进行总结分析、随访。了解患儿临床特征,免疫分型,染色体核型治疗及疗效,生存情况及影响治疗的因素。结果33例AML1-ETO阳性儿童第一疗程诱导缓解率为63.5%,中位随访时间32个月,目前仍处于CR状态25例占75.5%,5例患儿骨髓复发,复发率为15.1%,高白细胞数,多脏器受累,免疫表型CD5+6以及第一疗程诱导治疗未达缓解者预后不良,并伴有较低的生存率。结论儿童急性髓系白血病M2伴有AML1-ETO阳性患儿预后是好的。强烈化疗高剂量阿糖胞苷能帮助提高疗效。提高生存率。高白细胞计数,累及多脏器以及CD56标记阳性和初次诱导治疗的缓解不佳,影响总的生存率。     

Heterogeneity of acute "undifferentiated" leukemia of childhood: ultrastructural, immunophenotypic, and karyotypic analyses

The present study was undertaken in an attempt to reclassify the 19 cases of childhood acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL) diagnosed at our institution during the past 12 years. Based on ultrastructural and immunophenotypic data, seven of the cases were reclassified as lymphoid, nine as myeloid, and three remain unclassifiable. Clinical features, clonal karyotypes, and responses to treatment were also examined. Abnormal clonal karyotypes were found in 16 of 17 cases, including eight cases with translocations, three with monosomy 7 or 7q, and one with numerous complex structural rearrangements. Fourteen patients had greater than 10% French-American-British L2 blasts in bone marrow. Although nine of 15 patients who initially received induction therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) achieved remission, only one patient is a long-term survivor. Only one of 10 patients who received therapy for acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia during the course of their disease remains a long-term survivor. These data suggest that the majority of cases of AUL can be reclassified as either myeloid or lymphoid leukemias, that AUL is associated with a high frequency of chromosomal abnormalities, and that AUL carries a very poor prognosis.     

Treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia with adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone

At the present time, it is possible to achieve up to a 95% complete remission in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, using the combination of vincristine and prednisone. Nevertheless, it has not been possible to reproduce these results in the adult. For this reason, a third drug, in this case adriamycin in a low dose, was added to the vincristine-prednisone combination in the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Complete remission was achieved in 45 of the 50 patients (90%). The median duration of remission was 23 months and the median survival time in this group was 31 months. The complications were minimal and the tolerance was good. From the point of view of our results and others reported in the literature, we consider that the combination of vincristine, prednisone, and adriamycin is a useful method for induction of remission of adult ALL.     

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in patients with Down syndrome with a previous history of acute myeloid leukemia

Patients with Down syndrome (DS) are predisposed to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in early and later childhood, respectively, but rarely experience both. We herein discuss four patients with DS with ALL and a history of AML who were treated with various chemotherapies, one of whom later received a bone marrow transplantation. Three patients survived and remain in remission. One patient died of fulminant hepatitis during therapy. No common cytogenetic abnormalities in AML and ALL besides constitutional +21 were identified, indicating that the two leukemia types were independent events. However, the underlying pathomechanism of these conditions awaits clarification.     

Hodgkin's disease in Indian children: outcome with chemotherapy alone

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of chemotherapy alone, using four cycles of COPP alternating with four cycles of ABVD in all stages of childhood Hodgkin's disease (HD). PROCEDURE: Between January 1991 and February 2001, 148 previously untreated patients were investigated, treated, and analyzed for remission and survival. RESULTS: There were 134 boys and 14 girls with a median age of 8 years, 75% were less than 10 years old. 63.5% had advanced stage disease (IIB-IV). B symptoms were present in 54.4% of cases; bulky mediastinal mass in 18 cases (12.2%); spleen and bone marrow involvement in 22 (14.9%) and four cases (2.7%), respectively. Mixed cellularity (MC) subtype was found in 86.0%. Response to treatment was evaluated in 133 patients: complete remission (CR) was achieved in 121 patients (91.0%), partial remission (PR) in seven (5.3%), progression occurred in two (1.5%), and three (2.3%) died on therapy. Four patients with mediastinal residual disease were given additional involved field radiotherapy. Out of 111 patients analyzable, five (4.5%) have relapsed 6-30 months after completing chemotherapy, and were treated with additional cycles of ABVD and low-dose involved field radiotherapy. The 5-year actuarial overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) are 91.5 and 87.9%, respectively. Advanced stage, B symptoms, anemia, spleen, and marrow involvement were adverse prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy alone with alternating COPP/ABVD, without additional radiotherapy, provides high rates of durable remission and is an effective therapy in childhood HD, even in case of large mediastinal mass and peripheral or abdominal bulky disease.