Background: Mitochondrial Neurogastrointestinal Encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is a progressive autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cachexia, gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility, ptosis, peripheral neuropathy and brain MRI white matter changes. Bi-allelic TYMP mutations lead to deficient thymidine phosphorylase (TP) activity, toxic accumulation of plasma nucleosides (thymidine and deoxyuridine), nucleotide pool imbalances and mtDNA instability. Death is mainly due to GI complications: intestinal perforation, peritonitis, and/or liver failure. Based on our previous observations in 3 patients with MNGIE, that platelet infusions resulted in a transient 40% reduction of plasma nucleoside levels, in 2005 we performed the first HSCT worldwide as a life-long source of TP in a patient with MNGIE. Procedure: HSCT was performed in a total of six patients with MNGIE. The multiple factors involved in the prognosis of this cohort were analyzed and compared to the literature experience. Results: Cell source was bone marrow in five patients and peripheral stem cells in one, all from fully HLA-matched related donors, including four who were TYMP mutation carriers. Four of six (66%) survived compared to the 37% survival rate in the literature. Reduced intensity conditioning regimen contributed to secondary graft failure in 2 patients. 15 years post-HSCT the first transplanted patient is seemingly cured. Severe GI symptoms pre-transplantation were mostly irreversible and a poor prognostic factor. Conclusions: Allogenic HSCT could constitute a curative therapeutic option for carefully selected, young, pre-symptomatic or mildly affected patients. Timing, donor selection and optimal conditioning protocol are major determinants of outcome. HSCT is inadvisable in patients with advanced MNGIE disease.

Background: Treatment of children and adolescents with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) and regional nodal involvement (N1) have been approached differently by North American and European cooperative groups. In order to define the better therapeutic strategy, we analyzed two studies conducted between 2005 and 2016 by the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) and Children’s Oncology Group (COG). Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with ARMS N1 enrolled in either EpSSG RMS2005 or in COG ARST0531. Chemotherapy in RMS2005 comprised IVADo (ifosfamide, vincristine, dactinomycin, doxorubicin), IVA and maintenance (vinorelbine, cyclophosphamide); in ARST0531 it consisted on either VAC (vincristine, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide) or VAC alternating with VI (vincristine, irinotecan). Local treatment was similar in both protocols. Results: The analysis of the clinical characteristics of 239 patients showed some differences between study groups: in RMS2005, advanced IRS Group and large tumors predominated. There were no differences in outcomes between the two groups: 5-year event-free survival (EFS), 49% (95%CI=39-59) and 44% (95%CI=30-58), and overall survival (OS), 51% (95%CI=41-61) and 53.6% (95%CI=40-68), in RMS2005 and ARST0531, respectively. In RMS2005, EFS of patients with FOXO1-positive tumors was significantly inferior to those FOXO1-negative (49.3% vs 73%, p=0.034). In contrast, in ARST0531, EFS of patients with FOXO1-positive tumors was 45% compared with 43.8% for those FOXO1-negative. Conclusions: The outcome of patients with ARMS N1 was similar using different schemas of chemotherapy. However, patients with FOXO1 fusion-negative tumors enrolled in RMS2005 showed a significantly better outcome, suggesting that this subgroup may benefit from the EpSSG strategy which included maintenance chemotherapy.

A document by Atish Bakane. Click on the document to view its contents.

Comment on: Langerhans cell histiocytosis with BRAF p.N486_P490del or MAP2K1 p.K57_G61del treated by the MEK inhibitor trametinib1Paige Vicenzi, OMS-IV, 2Anish Ray, MD1Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center2Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Cook Children’s Health Care SystemCorresponding Author:Anish Ray, MD1500 Cooper St., 5th floor,Fort Worth, TX 76104Phone: [email protected] Count: 513Number of Tables: 0Number of Figures: 0Running Title: Langerhans cell histiocytosis treated by trametinibKeywords: Langerhans cell histiocytosis, MAP2K1, trametinib, pediatricThe authors have no financial support or conflicts of interest.Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare but heterogenous myeloid malignancy. The discovery of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activating mutations as key oncogenic drivers offered only equivocal implications at best; the promise of targeted therapy was often eclipsed by a more severe clinical course, risk organ involvement, poorer response to standard therapy, and higher risk of relapse.1 There is, however, mounting evidence in support of MAPK pathway inhibition for patients with BRAF V600E mutations. A recent report outlines rapid and durable response of relapsed, multisystemic LCH with either BRAF p.N486_P490 or MAP2K1 p.K57_G61 deletion to MEK inhibitor trametinib.2 Two of the three patients achieved nonactive disease, including a 2-year-old male with MAP2K1 deletion who, despite reports attributing trametinib resistance to MAP2K1 mutations3, continues to thrive. We take this opportunity to describe an analogous experience treating a relapsed LCH patient with trametinib at Cook Children’s Medical Center from early 2020 to present.Our patient is a 4-year-old male who presented in March 2017 with new onset central diabetes insipidus (DI) and skin rash; skin biopsy provided diagnosis of LCH, but skeletal survey was negative for bone involvement. He was treated with twelve cycles of cytarabine (100 milligram (mg)/m2 intravenous daily for five days, every four weeks) and DDAVP for DI. At the completion of cytarabine, a second skin biopsy revealed recurrence of LCH, which warranted treatment with hydroxyurea (20 mg/kilogram (Kg) daily) and methotrexate (2.5 mg at 0.12 mg/Kg twice a week). This was continued for 52 weeks despite a brief interruption of methotrexate due to dermatitis. Three months following completion of this therapy, brain MRI revealed a 7 mm lesion of the skull. Curettage by neurosurgery confirmed relapse of LCH in January 2020. Genetic testing of this sample was negative forBRAF mutation, but positive for a mutation in the MAP2K1 gene, specifically a point mutation resulting in a substitution of Q56P. Shortly after his biopsy, the patient developed a soft tissue swelling on his skull. Due to these results and his multiple relapses, the patient was started on trametinib (2.5 mg daily) in February 2020 with rapid resolution of skull swelling and transient but dramatic reduction of his desmopressin dose from 3.2 mg twice a day to 0.2 mg twice a day. He has not experienced toxicity and continues to tolerate the drug well.Though trametinib presents a promising treatment for high-risk, relapsed LCH, it is not without limitations. In 2020, we also treated a 15-year-old male with relapsed LCH and BRAF V600E with trametinib monotherapy. Due to skin rash (Grade II), the patient became noncompliant. Despite stopping altogether after a month of treatment, he has yet to experience disease recurrence. But as stated in the aforementioned report, sufficient dose and treatment length to attain MAPK pathway suppression merits further investigation. In our similar experience treating a young child with multisystemic LCH and MAP2K1 mutation, we remain encouraged that MEK inhibition via trametinib monotherapy is a viable treatment option. In the context of genomic landscaping, we hope to incite further exploration of targeted therapy, and consequently, greater consensus on LCH management.

Data for visual acuity (VA) after treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1-associated optic pathway gliomas (NF1-OPGs) is limited. We retrospectively collected VA, converted to logMAR, before and after targeted therapy with everolimus for NF1-OPG, and compared to radiologic outcomes (14/18 with NF1-OPG, 25 eyes [3 without quantifiable vision]). Upon completion of treatment, VA was stable in 19 eyes, improved in 4 eyes, and worse in 2 eyes; visual and radiologic outcome were discordant. In summary, the majority of children with NF1-OPG exhibited stabilization of their VA after everolimus treatment. A larger, prospective study will help delineate visual outcomes after targeted therapy.

Population-based data on survival from childhood cancers in sub-Saharan Africa is sparse. We report data for nine childhood cancers in the population of Kampala Uganda. Survival for eight out of nine cancers was below the WHO’s global target of 60% (the exception was Hodgkin lymphoma (86% at 3 years)). There was significant (p<0.05) decline in survival between 1 and 3 years for Wilms tumour and Kaposi sarcoma (30% and 34% at 3-years respectively). Survival from Burkitt lymphoma, Wilms tumour and Kaposi sarcoma has not changed since 2005.

Shwachman–Diamond syndrome with Shwachman–Bodian–Diamond syndrome (SBDS) biallelic variants is a rare disorder that predisposes the carrier to malignant hemopathies but solid-cancer predisposition is poorly known. Among 155 cases entered in the French Severe Chronic Neutropenia Registry, three were identified original with malignant solid tumors (ovary, breast and esophagus). All cancers occurred in the fifth decade and, despite being at localized stages at diagnosis, they were rapidly fatal thereafter. No cancer was observed in the 14 HSCT survivors post transplantation. Based on our experience and the literature, age >40 years was the only apparent risk factor.

BACKGROUND: Irinotecan is a drug active against pediatric sarcomas with a toxicity profile that theoretically allows for its association with more myelotoxic drugs. We examined the feasibility of a dose-density strategy integrating irinotecan in standard chemotherapy regimens for patients with high-risk sarcomas. METHODS: Between November 2013 and January 2020, 23 patients < 21 years old with metastatic (11 children) or recurrent (12 children) sarcomas were treated with 9 IrIVA/IrVAC cycles. All newly-diagnosed patients received IrIVA (ifosfamide 3g/m2 on days 1 and 2, vincristine 1.5 mg/m2 on day 1, actinomycin D 1.5 mg/m2 on day 1, irinotecan 20 mg/m2 for 5 consecutive days starting on day 8). Two relapsed patients received IrIVA and 10 IrVAC (cyclophosphamide 1.5 g/m2 on day 1 instead of ifosfamide). Feasibility was assessed in terms of toxicity and time to complete the treatment. RESULTS: 17 rhabdomyosarcomas, 4 Ewing sarcomas, 2 desmoplastic round cell tumors received a total of 181 cycles (range 2-10). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 62.4% of the cycles. 13 patients had febrile neutropenia. Diarrhea occurred in 14 cycles. The median time to complete the treatment was 195 days (range 170-231), 83.4% of cycles were administered on time or with a delay <1 week. With a median follow-up of 2.6 years (range 0.2-5.0), 12 patients are alive, 9 complete remissions, 3 with the disease. Conclusions: A dose density strategy combining irinotecan with standard chemotherapy is feasible. This approach will be investigated in the next trial coordinated by the European pediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD), the commonest monogenic disorder, affects more than 300,000 births annually, with 44,000 in India. While the clinical phenotype of SCD is considered to be milder in aboriginal populations in India, there is a paucity of data on outcomes. To determine the severity of SCD in this population, we studied mortality rates and causes of mortality in a longitudinal cohort of patients with SCD in a remote aboriginal community in India receiving community-based comprehensive care. Procedures: Causes of death in this cohort from January 2008 to December 2018 were analyzed. Details were collected from hospital records and in case of deaths at home, by utilizing the WHO verbal autopsy questionnaire. Results: The cohort consisted of 157 patients belonging to the Paniya, Betta Kurumba, Kattunyakan, and Mullu Kurumba tribes. During the study period, there were 22 deaths, all from the Paniya tribe. Twelve deaths (54.5%) occurred in the hospital and the remaining at home (45.5%) reflecting a crude mortality rate of 140 per 1000 population. 25% of deaths occurred in the 6-18 age group. There were no deaths in the 0-5 age group. The median age of death was 25 years, which was 20 years less than in the non-SCD aboriginal population. The leading causes of death were acute chest syndrome, anemia, and sepsis among the SCD patients and stroke and suicides in the non-SCD aboriginal population Conclusion: SCD is a severe disease among the Gudalur Valley’s aboriginal population with a significant risk of premature mortality.

A document by Denise Adams. Click on the document to view its contents.

Comment on: The use of anakinra in the treatment of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis1Paige Vicenzi, OMS-IV, 2Zahra Jiwani, DO, 3Ricardo Guirola, MD,1,4Tyler Hamby, PhD, 5Anish Ray, MD1Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center2Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Michigan3Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Cook Children’s Health Care System4Department of Research Operations, Cook Children’s Health Care System5Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Cook Children’s Health Care SystemCorresponding Author:Anish Ray, MD1500 Cooper St., 5th floor,Fort Worth, TX 76104Phone: [email protected] Count: 497Number of Tables: 0Number of Figures: 1Running Title: Anakinra in Secondary HLHKeywords: hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, anakinra, pediatricThe authors have no financial support or conflicts of interest.Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare yet potentially fatal systemic disease arising from uncontrolled activation of the immune system. According to the Histiocyte Society’s 2004 guidelines, patients must meet five of eight criteria to be diagnosed with HLH [1]. HLH may be classified into primary and secondary. Primary, or familial, HLH is attributed to underlying defects in genes that control natural killer (NK) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) cell degranulation. Secondary HLH, in contrast, may occur in the context of triggers, such as malignancy, rheumatologic disease, or infection. Systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA) is a well-recognized trigger of HLH and both share overlapping features (e.g. fever and elevated ferritin). Management of SoJIA includes the immunomodulator Anakinra, an interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist hypothesized to dampen an overactive immune system. Three patients treated for HLH with concomitant SoJIA diagnosis at Cook Children’s Medical Center between 2014 and 2019 are described below in order to examine the role of immunomodulators in their clinical course and outcome.Three Hispanic patients (aged 8-15) presented with a constellation of systemic symptoms, including fever, generalized rash, fatigue, and weight loss. Upon fulfilment of necessary criteria and subsequent diagnosis of HLH, they were treated accordingly with HLH-2004 protocol. Case 3, whose HLH was suspected to be secondary to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection, rapidly responded to treatment and, therefore, briefly discontinued Etoposide; however, she tolerated this poorly and resumed treatment after a six-week hiatus with the addition of weekly Rituximab to mitigate rising EBV titers. All patients achieved remission.Past medical history for case 3 included autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease, type 1 diabetes and suspected idiopathic juvenile arthritis for which she did not require ongoing care prior to presenting with features of secondary HLH. Cases 1 and 2 were diagnosed with SoJIA following their HLH diagnosis. Cases 1 and 3 relapsed with HLH within months of their initial encounter. Due to their concurrent diagnosis of SoJIA, both received daily Anakinra. Case 3 experienced rapid resolution of symptoms. In contrast, Case 1 had unsatisfactory response of musculoskeletal manifestations prompting switch from Anakinra to weekly Tocilizumab—another biologic that antagonizes IL-6 receptor—with favorable response. Case 2 was started on daily Anakinra immediately following his diagnosis of SoJIA and has yet to relapse. In summary, all cases have yet to experience an additional relapse following introduction of Anakinra or Tocilizumab. Figure 1 provides the treatment timelines for Cases 1-3 who had 5.37, 2.87, and 4.62 years of follow up, respectively.Though traditional therapy for HLH includes intensive courses of etoposide and corticosteroids with substantial risk for morbidity and mortality, biologics represent a newer class of medications highly effective in treating diseases with inflammatory or immune-mediated components [2]. In a reimaging of the HLH treatment algorithm, a recent study proposes Anakinra as initial treatment with sequential escalation of immunosuppression to mitigate adverse effects [3]. This case series reinforces that immunomodulators, such as Anakinra, are safe and promising treatment options in pediatric patients with secondary HLH.

Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) that assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are increasingly important components of cancer care and research that have been infrequently used in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We aimed to longitudinally measure HRQoL among pediatric lymphoma patients in Malawi. Methods: We administered the Chichewa Pediatric Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Pediatric (PROMIS)-25 at diagnosis, active treatment, and follow-up among pediatric lymphoma patients in Lilongwe, Malawi. Mean scores were calculated for the six PROMIS-25 HRQoL domains (Mobility, Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Fatigue, Peer Relationships, and Pain Interference) using the PROMIS scoring manual. Results: Seventy-five children completed PROMIS-25 surveys at diagnosis, 35 (47%) during active treatment, and 24 (32%) at follow-up. The majority of patients died (n= 37, 49%) or were lost-to-follow-up (n=8, 11%). Most (n=51, 68%) were male, median age was 10 (IQR 8-12), 48 (66%) presented with advanced Stage III/IV, 61 (81%) were diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma and 14 (19%) had Hodgkin lymphoma. At diagnosis, HRQoL was poor across all domains, except for Peer Relationships. Improvements in HRQoL during active treatment and follow-up exceeded the minimally important difference. Poor Lanksy performance status ≤ 70 and Pain Intensity = 10 at diagnosis were associated with increased mortality risk and worse survival. Conclusions: Our experience suggests incorporating assessments of HRQoL via PROs in oncology care is feasible in SSA, can provide prognostic information, and generates clinically meaningful data to inform supportive care interventions. Further, PROs offer an opportunity to include patient voices and prioritize holistic patient-centered care even in low-resource settings.

Emicizumab is a prophylaxis for patients with severe haemophilia A with inhibitor. Despite the daily prophylaxis, coagulation states stay below normal value and cannot be assessed by standard hemostasis techniques. In our two patients, we use thrombin generation assay (endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and Peak) to monitor the patient’s clotting status. Under emicizumab, it is needed to add by-passing agent such as FVIIa (Novoseven®) to avoid bleeding before surgery. By-passing agent dose was chosen with the help of thrombin generation assay and after collegial concertation.

Background A diagnosis of childhood cancer results in new parent-child communication challenges. Little is known about how communication changes over time after diagnosis or relapse. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of time since diagnosis and relapse on quality of parent-child communication. We hypothesized that there would be a positive correlation between time and quality of parent-child communication. Methods Cross-sectional study in children (7 to 17 years) with relapsed/refractory cancer and their caregivers, who spoke English, were not cognitively impaired, and had internet access. Parents were recruited through Facebook ads. Parents and children completed the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale (PACS), a 20-item measure of communication quality, with openness and problem subscales. Spearman’s Rho coefficients assessed correlations between PACS scores and time since diagnosis/relapse. Results There was a statistically significant negative correlation between parent PACS scores and time since child’s cancer diagnosis (Spearman’s Rho = - 0.21, p = 0.02), indicating a tendency for overall worsening communication as time since diagnosis increased. There was a positive correlation between the parent PACS problem scores and time since diagnosis (Spearman’s Rho = + 0.22, p = 0.01), indicating more problematic communication as time since diagnosis increased. Correlations of time since relapse and PACS scores were small and not statistically significant. Conclusion Parent-child communication worsens over time following a child’s cancer diagnosis with more communication problems, contrary to our hypothesis. Future studies are needed to evaluate intervention timing to best support parent-child communication beyond the new diagnosis period.

Cytopenias are common among neonates in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Although, bone marrow aspirations (BMA) are often performed as part of diagnostic work up but trephine marrow biopsies (BMB) have not been reported from living neonates. BMB is indispensable to accurately assess the cellularity and architecture. There is paucity of literature regarding the technique of BMB in neonates. In this report, for the first time, we describe trephine BMB from Posterior superior iliac crest (PSIC) using 18 guage BMA needle in six living neonates admitted to NICU where bone marrow biopsy findings helped in understanding the underlying mechanism and diagnosis of cytopenias.

BACKGROUND: Medulloblastoma (MB), the most malignant brain tumor of childhood has survival outcomes exceeding 80% for standard risk and 60% for high risk patients in high-income countries (HIC). These results have not been replicated in low-to-middle income countries (LMIC), where 80% of children with cancer live. METHODS: Retrospective review of 114 children (3-18 years) diagnosed with MB from 1997 to 2016 at INCA. Data on patients, disease characteristics and treatment information were retrieved from the charts and summarized descriptively. Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier Method. RESULTS: The male/female ratio was 1.32 and the median age at diagnosis was 8.2 years. Headache (83%) and nausea/vomiting (78%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Overall survival (5y) was 59,1% and EFS (5y) was 58,4%. The OS for standard-risk patients was 69% and 53% for high-risk patients. Forty-five patients (35%) had metastatic disease at admission. Lower maternal education correlated with lower OS (71.3% versus 49% p=0.25). Patients who lived >40km from INCA fared better (OS= 68.2% versus 51.1% p=0.032). Almost 20% of families lived below the Brazilian minimum wage. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological characteristics of this series possibly explain the differences in survival that medulloblastoma patients have in Brazil. Issues related to limited health care resources, poverty, delayed diagnosis, treatment abandonment, and malnutrition are reflected in inferior survival outcomes when compared to high-income countries. Despite the difficulties encountered in an upper-middle income country, it was possible to deliver treatment with good results.

Complex lymphatic anomalies are congenital diseases of the lymphatic circulation system that are associated with significant morbidity and early mortality. While guidelines for the comprehensive evaluation of the complex lymphatic anomalies were recently published, the diagnostic approach and medical management are not standardized. The current manuscript presents the clinical features of 4 complex lymphatic anomalies: Gorham-Stout disease, generalized lymphatic anomaly, kaposiform lymphangiomatosis, and central collecting lymphatic anomaly. We also offer three cases from the authors’ practice and our views on diagnostic testing and disease management including supportive care, medical therapies and other interventions.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients are immunocompromised with multiple comorbidities and a hypercoagulation state. On the other hand COVID-19 is associated with cytokine storm and hypercoagulability. To find the susceptibility and the clinical course of COVID-19 in SCD patients we surveyed related published papers from USA, Europe, Middle East, few African patients and international SCD registry. The COVID-19 presentation was mild in children and moderate in many SCD adults. To explain these findings, possible benefits of high HbF level, and hydroxyurea therapy could be considered. The obtained results should be interpreted considering low cases from sub-Saharan people, younger age of SCD patients compared to general population, a bias toward registry of more severe form of the disease, the influence of preexisting comorbidities with multisystem organ damage in exacerbation of the COVID-19 and the fatality rate in SCD patients and the role of health socio-economic determinants.