Hodgkin's disease in children. Pathologic study of 87 cases

From 1963 to 1977 at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori at Milan, 112 patients below the age of 16 years with Hodgkin's disease (HD) were observed, representing 13.2% of all the cases of this disease seen during the stated time interval. Eighty-seven of these cases are the subject of the present study. Fifty-nine patients were males and 28 females (2.1:1 ratio). The age range varied from 2 years 10 months to 15 years 10 months (median 10 years). Forty-three (49.4%) children, of whom 35 were males and 8 females, were below the age of 10 years at the onset of their disease. The clinical staging resulted in 34 patients as stage I, 33 as stage II, 13 as stage III and 7 as stage IV. The histologic type was nodular sclerosis (NS) in 49 cases (56.3%), lymphocytic predominance (LP) in 15 cases (17.2%), mixed cellularity (MC) type in 9 cases (10.3%) and lymphocytic depletion (LD) in 8 cases (9.2%). In the remaining 6 cases the histologic classification was not applicable. LP type in 15/15 (100%) patients was associated with stages I and II, and NS in 38/49 (77%) patients was related to stage I and stage II. The latter was also the istologic type most often encountered in patients with stage II disease (23/33 or 70%). Eleven patients have died, and their survival varied from 6 to 47 months (median 30 months). The histologic type was LD in 4 cases, NS in 3 cases, MC in 1 case, and LP in 1 case. In the other 2 nonsurvivors, the histologic type was not identifiable. Of the 23 patients with more than a 5-year survival, 14 (60.8%) had NS HD. As in adults, LP and NS were associated with early stages of the disease and with long survival.     

Assessment of the prognostic impact of the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein-1 expression in Hodgkin's disease

We have examined expression of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) in the malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells of Hodgkin's disease (HD) and its impact on response to treatment and on survival. Paraffin tissue from 100 adult immunocompetent patients with HD were analysed using immunohistochemistry to identify LMP1 expression. According to the Rye classification, 8% of patients had lymphocyte predominance (LP) subtype, 48% had nodular sclerosis (NS) disease, 37% were of the mixed cellularity (MC) subtype and 7% were of the lymphocyte depletion (LD) subtype. During the five year follow-up period 27 patients died and 74 patients achieved a complete remission. Patients with LD subtype were older (P = 0.03), less frequently achieved complete remission (P = 0.01), had shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.01) and overall survival (P = 0.002) compared with the other subtypes of HD. LMP1 expression was found in the tumour cells of 26% of cases of HD. LMP1 expression was less common in NS disease than in the other subtypes (P = 0.05), whereas an association between MC subtype and LMP1 expression was not found (P = 0.22). Using the log-rank test there were no differences in overall survival or disease-free survival based on EBV status either when all patients were analysed or when LD and LP subtypes were excluded. However, the presence of EBV was associated with significantly longer disease-free survival in the subgroup of patients 35 years old, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.11). A similar trend was observed in patients > 50 years old. Analysis of the impact of LMP1 expression in patients who had different stage and B symptoms status showed that expression of EBV was associated with longer disease-free survival (P = 0.019) in early stage (1 + 2) patients without B symptoms. Significant differences in the other subgroups based on EBV status was not found. Factors adversely affecting the likelihood to achieve a complete remission were: absence of LMP1 expression (OR 6.4, 95% Cl 1.07-38.5, P = 0.04), age (OR 1.68, 95%Cl 1.15-2.5, P = 0.007) and subtype of HD (OR 3.32, 95%Cl 1.11-9.94, P = 0.03). Age and subtype of HD had an independent impact on overall survival (P = 0.01). We conclude that expression of LMP1 in HRS cells has a favourable impact on prognosis for HD patients, but that this effect may be restricted to young adult patients and those with early stage disease.     

新辅助化疗与放疗间断对鼻咽癌总生存的影响*

目的:探讨较强烈的新辅助化疗和放疗间断对鼻咽癌患者长期生存的影响。方法:选取1995年1 月至1998年12月福建省肿瘤医院1 706 例鼻咽癌患者接受或不接受新辅助化疗,1 081 例患者单纯放疗,而625 例接受1 个疗程较强烈的新辅助化疗。化疗方案以DDP 为基础,每14天为1 个周期,多为2～3 个周期,放疗在最后一次化疗结束后2～5 天开始。化疗包括:DDP80mg/m2分3 天（d1～d3）静脉推注;5-FU 750mg/（m2·d）,连续5 天（d1～d5）静脉滴注。1 706 例患者中有177 例患者由于各种原因造成放疗间断1 周以上。分析患者、肿瘤和治疗等因素对长期生存的影响,尤其是新辅助化疗和放疗间断对生存的影响。结果:中位随访时间75个月（6～126 个月）,失访162 例,随访率为90.50% 。3 年和5 年生存率分别为79.2% 和67.6% 。多因素分析显示性别、年龄、治疗前贫血、肿瘤分期、是否采用新辅助化疗以及放疗是否间断等是影响长期生存的独立预后因素。Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ期的5 年生存率分别为100.0% 、75.9% 、66.5% 和49.3%（P<0.05）。 Ⅲ/Ⅳ期患者中接受与不接受辅助化疗的5 年总生存率分别为65.3%（95%CI:0.796～0.869）和60.5%（95% CI:0.755～0.824）（P=0.041）。 放疗间断与放疗不间断的5 年总生存率分别为51.69%（95% CI:0.449～0.584）和69.45%（95% CI:0.672～0.717）（P<0.001）。 结论:较强烈的新辅助化疗和放疗过程的不间断是鼻咽癌患者长期生存的有利因素。      

Histologic subclassification of nodular sclerosis Hodgkin's disease

Nodular sclerosis (NS) Hodgkin's disease was pathologically subdivided by cellular composition and degree of fibrosis in a series of 49 children admitted to the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan between 1967 and 1977. NS showed lymphocytic predominance (LP) in 26 cases, mixed cellularity (MC) in 16 cases, and lymphocytic depletion (LD) in 7 cases. "Early fibrosis" (EF) and "advanced fibrosis" (AF) subgroups in 28 and 21 cases, respectively, were observed. Of the cases with LP 76.9% (20/26) presented with stages I and II disease, compared with 37.5% (6/16) and 28.6% (2/7) of the MC nad LD subgroups, respectively. LP and EF subgroups coexisted in 12 of 28 (42.9%) patients at stages I and II. Predominance of lymphocytes, rarity of lacunar cells, and a mild degree of fibrosis were asociated with early stages of disease. This data confirms that subclassification of NS is feasible.     

Feasibility study of an alternating schedule of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in advanced uterine cervical carcinoma

From July 1981 to April 1982, 36 patients with advanced cervical carcinoma stage III (24 patients) and stage IV (12 patients) entered a feasibility study of a radiotherapy and chemotherapy combination. The first three chemotherapy courses consisted of cis-platinum alone (50 mg/m2) and were interdigitated with radiotherapy. Six more courses composed of an association of cis-platinum (50 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (400 mg/m2) were given after the completion of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was delivered in two courses of 25 Gy separated by a gap of 2 weeks. The overall 4-year survival rate was 35% (95% CI: 22%). The 4-year survival rate, cumulative loco-regional failure rate, and cumulative metastasis rate were respectively 44% (95% CI: 20%), 56% (95% CI: 21%), and 30% (95% CI: 21%) in stage III and 28% (95% CI: 27%), 83% (95% CI: 21%) and 74% (95% CI: 30%) in stage IV. The incidence of immediate and late complications was low: no patient had her radiotherapy stopped because of an intolerance and two patients had their chemotherapy stopped because of an haematological intolerance. Only one patient presented a severe late clinical complication (small bowel injury).     

Successful ambulatory treatment of Hodgkin's disease in Iranian children based on German-Austrian DAL-HD 85-90: single institutional results.

BACKGROUND: Hodgkin's disease (HD) accounts for 7.5% of childhood malignancies in Iran. In order to minimize chemotherapy toxicity and avoid eventual hospitalization and psychological and financial burdens we have applied since 1988, for the first time in Iran, a treatment regimen based on subsequently revised DAL-HD 85-90 and later GPOH-HD 95 protocols. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During the period 1988-2004, 40 children with HD received DAL/GPOH-HD-adapted treatment; 25 males (62.5%) and 15 females (37.5%) (male/female ratio 1.7; age 4-14 years, mean 8.8). Clinical evaluation and staging was performed in all patients. Constitutional symptoms: 24 patients were asymptomatic (A; 60%) and 16 had constitutional complaints (B; 40%). Staging was as follows: stage I; seven (17.5%); II, 11 (27.5%); III, 11 (27.5%); and IV, 11 (27.5%). Histopathology: 22 patients had mixed cellularity (MC; 55%), 13 nodular sclerosis (32.5%), four lymphocyte predominance (LP; 10%) and one patient lymphocyte depletion (2.5%). Stage IA and IIA patients (n = 15) received either OPA x2 (vincristine, prednisolone, doxorubicin) or OPPA x2 or OPEA x2 (vincristine, prednisolone, procarbazine and doxorubicin), the latter receiving etoposide instead of procarbazine, and applied to males. Stages IIB, IIIA/B and IV received OPPA x2, followed by CO(P)P x4 (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone in alternate courses and procarbazine). Twenty nine patients (72.5%) received radiotherapy (20-25 Gy); four to the involved field (stage I), 25 to the upper mantel (stage II and also III with either residual or mediastinal mass) and three additionally to spleen and para-aortic lymph nodes. Eleven patients received only chemotherapy. RESULTS: All patients achieved complete remission (CR). Relapse occurred in eight patients (20%); seven stage IV (MC) and one stage IA (LP) with progression to IIIB. Salvage chemotherapy consisted of MOPP/ABVD hybrid; six patients achieved a second sustained remission and three patients died: two due to relapse and progressive disease and the third one in CR, owing to thrombocytopenic hemorrhage and foudroyant pneumonia. The achieved overall and event-free survival was 88.1% and 75.4%, respectively. Aside from minor acute toxicities, three patients demonstrated azoospermia at the age of 18 years and one of these patients suffered non-Hodgkin lymphoma as a second malignancy. HD occurred as a second malignancy in two patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Both received appropriate treatment and are over 10 years in CR. CONCLUSIONS: The DAL/GPOH-HD-based treatment approach proved to achieve long-term sustained cure even in children with advanced HD disease. The essentially outpatient diagnosis and treatment modus did not compromise the disease outcome, and was well tolerated and accepted by the patients and their parents. The employed drugs are easily available and affordable. This treatment approach is suitable for ambulatory use in developing countries. However, male infertility remains the major obstacle to procarbazine and cyclophosphamide use.     

80例ⅣB期血道转移宫颈鳞癌预后分析

目的 评估ⅣB期血道转移宫颈鳞癌的预后因素及盆腔根治性放疗的价值。方法 回顾性分析2006—2016年间在浙江省肿瘤医院接受治疗的ⅣB期血道转移宫颈鳞癌患者80例,并收集相关临床资料。采用Kaplan-Meier生存分析及Cox模型预后因素分析。结果 全组患者1、2、5年总生存(OS)率和无进展生存((PFS)率分别为52.5%、26.3%、16.8%和25%、13.8%、8.8%,中位OS和PFS期分别为13.0和5.6个月。最常见转移部位为骨(51.3%),其次为肺(36.3%)和肝(26.3%)。单因素生存分析显示化疗联合盆腔根治性治疗、化疗≥6个周期与OS及PFS呈正相关,而ECOG体能状态评分3~4分、肝转移与OS及PFS呈负相关。多因素分析显示肝转移(HR=2.23,95%CI为1.01~4.91,P=0.048)及体能状态评分3~4(HR=2.01,95%CI为1.03~3.91,P=0.040)为OS不利因素。亚组多因素分析显示化疗+盆腔根治性放疗比化疗±姑息放疗能改善患者OS (HR=0.39,95%CI为0.18~0.84,P=0.016),接受≥4个周期比<4个周期双药联合化疗能改善患者OS (HR=0.32,95%CI为0.15~0.68,P=0.003)。结论 体能状态不佳及肝转移患者预后不佳。在化疗基础上联合盆腔根治性放疗可改善ⅣB期血道转移宫颈癌患者的预后。     

150例早期霍奇金淋巴瘤的综合治疗

目的 对比单纯化疗、单纯放疗与综合治疗对早期霍奇金淋巴瘤(HL)的疗效.方法 回顾性分析150例Ⅰ期或Ⅱ期(早期)HL患者的临床资料,按照初次治疗方式分为单纯化疗组(22例)、单纯放疗组(18例)、化疗联合放疗的综合治疗组(109例)和手术组(1例).化疗方案以ABVD和MOPP为主,放疗方式主要包括受累野放疗、扩大野放疗和次全淋巴结照射.结果 结节硬化型、混合细胞型、淋巴细胞为主型、淋巴细胞消减型和结节性淋巴细胞为主型HL分别为84、39、23、3和1例.全组有72例患者资料完整,可判断预后,其中以欧洲癌症研究和治疗组织及德国霍奇金淋巴瘤研究组标准判断为0分者分别占36.1%和29.2%.全组完全缓解33例,部分缓解109例,疾病稳定5例,疾病进展3例.全组中位随访71.5个月,6年治疗失败率为18.8%,7年总生存率为89.3%.单因素分析显示,综合治疗的疗效显著优于单纯化疗,结节硬化型和混合细胞型的治疗失败风险明显低于淋巴细胞为主型(均P＜0.05).多因素分析显示,治疗方式可以显著影响预后,单纯化疗发生治疗失败的风险是综合治疗的2.52倍(P=0.004).单因素和多因素分析均未发现总生存时间的影响因素.综合治疗组的急性不良反应发生率较单纯化疗组或单纯放疗组高,主要表现为白细胞减低、胃肠道反应和脱发.结论 对于早期HL,综合治疗可降低治疗失败风险,但不良反应较重.     

Functional polymorphisms of the microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene: a reappraisal on a early-onset lung cancer patients series

As concomitant chemoradiotherapy for stage III NSCLC is associated with survival advantage in comparison to a sequential approach, we conducted a phase III randomised study aiming to determine the best sequence and safety of chemotherapy (CT) and chemoradiotherapy (CT-RT), using a regimen with cisplatin (CDDP), gemcitabine (GEM) and vinorelbine (VNR). Unresectable stage III NSCLC patients received CDDP (60 mg/m(2)), GEM (1g/m(2), days 1 and 8) and VNR (25mg/m(2), days 1 and 8) with reduced dosage of GEM and VNR during radiotherapy (66Gy). Two cycles of CT with radiotherapy followed by two further cycles of CT alone were administered in arm A or the reverse sequence in arm B. The study was prematurely closed for poor accrual due to administrative problems. Forty-nine eligible patients were randomised. Response rates and median survival times were, respectively 57% (95% CI: 36-78%) and 17 months (95% CI: 9.3-24.6 months) in arm A and 79% (95% CI: 64-94%) and 23.9 months (95% CI: 13.3-34.5 months) in arm B (p>0.05). Chemotherapy dose-intensity was significantly reduced in arm A. Grade 3-4 oesophagitis occurred in 5 patients. One case of grade 5 radiation pneumonitis was observed. In conclusion, chemoradiotherapy with CDDP, GEM and VNR appears feasible as initial treatment or after induction chemotherapy. Consolidation chemoradiotherapy seems less toxic with a better observed response rates and survival although no valid conclusion can be drawn from the comparison of both arms.     

Epstein-Barr virus distribution in Hodgkin's disease in an unselected Swedish population.

All patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) (n = 117) identified in the Uppsala/Orebro region of Sweden between 1985 and 1988 were examined for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells. EBV was detected with LMP-1 immunostaining and in situ hybridization for EBERs. Overall, 32 (27%) tumours were EBV-positive but there were significant differences in EBV-positivity between histopathological subgroups (p = 0.03). In MC, 8/21 (38%) were positive, in NS 20/67 (23%), LD 3/3, LP 1/5, and in unclassified 0/1. Patients with EBV-positive tumours were significantly older, mean 52 vs. 42 years (p = 0.02), and were likely to have significantly more B-symptoms or advanced stage disease. Patients with EBV-positive tumours tended to have a poorer survival rate (p = 0.11). The proportion of EBV-positive tumours, and especially the proportion of EBV-positive MC, was lower than previously reported. This could be explained by selection of patients from previous studies, or by differences in EBV-positivity in different geographical or ethnic populations of HD.