Clinical features and lymphocyte immunophenotyping analysis in primary immunodeficiency patients with non-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders.

Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) comprise a heterogeneous group and are originally classified into the "Disease of immune dysregulation" category. Of 96 Taiwanese patients during 2003-2022, 31 (median 66, range 0.03-675 months) developed LPD, mainly including palpable lymphadenopathy (in 10 patients), intestinal lymphadenopathy associated with refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD in 8) and hepatosplenomegaly (in 7) during long-term follow-up (median 144, range 3-252 months). They distributed in the categories of antibody deficiency (2 CVID, 2 TTC37, PIK3CD, PIK3R1 and AICDA each), phagocyte (4 CYBB, 1 STAT1 and 1 IFNRG1), immune dysregulation (2 FOXP3, 2 XIAP and 2 HLH), combined immunodeficiencies (2 IL2RG; CD40L, ZAP70 and unknown each), syndromic features (2 STAT3-LOF, 1 WAS and 1 ATM) and three with anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies. An increased senescent (CD8 + CD57+) and CD21-low, disturbed transitional B (CD38 + IgM++), plasmablast B (CD38++IgM-), memory B (CD19 + CD27+) and TEMRA (CD27-IgD-) components were often observed in cross-sectional immunophenotyping and trended to develop LPD.

Blinatumomab in Children with MRD-Positive B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report of 11 Cases.

Background/Objectives: Relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remains an unresolved matter of concern regarding adverse outcomes. This case study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of blinatumomab, with or without door lymphocyte infusion (DLI), in treating measurable residual disease (MRD)-positive B-ALL. Methods: All patients who received blinatumomab salvage therapy were included in this study. Eleven patients were included in the study. All patients were evaluated for MRD-negativity. Results: Before starting blinatumomab therapy, seven patients tested positive for MRD, three tested negative, and one had refractory disease. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) was reserved for five patients with persistent MRD. Six patients became MRD-negative and subsequent HCT was not performed. Only two patients relapsed; one patient died of relapse, and the other one received carfilzomib-based therapy and was MRD-negative thereafter. Nine patients were MRD-negative at a median follow-up of 28 months (15-52 months). Two of three MRD-positive post-transplant patients remained in complete molecular remission after preemptive DLI at the last follow-up date. In the first salvage, blinatumomab may achieve complete remission and bridging to HCT in pediatric patients with end-of-induction MRD-positive B-cell precursor ALL. Conclusions: The decision on how to treat post-transplant relapse continues to affect survival outcomes. Blinatumomab combined with DLI may extend the armamentarium of release options for high-risk pediatric patients. This approach is encouraging for high-risk ALL patients who are MRD-positive post-transplantation.

Evaluation of next-generation sequencing for measurable residual disease monitoring in three major fusion transcript subtypes of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for monitoring measurable residual disease (MRD) in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) has been gaining traction. This study aimed to investigate the utility of NGS in MRD monitoring for the three major fusion transcript (FT) subtypes of B-precursor ALL (B-ALL). The MRD results for 104 bone marrow samples from 56 patients were analysed through NGS and real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) for the three major FTs: BCR::ABL1, TCF3::PBX1, and ETV6::RUNX1. To validate the NGS approach, NGS-MRD was initially compared with allele-specific oligonucleotide-qPCR-MRD, and the coefficient of determination was good (R2=0.8158). A subsequent comparison of NGS-MRD with FT-MRD yielded a good coefficient of determination (R2=0.7690), but the coefficient varied by subtype. Specifically, the R2 was excellent for TCF3::PBX1 ALL (R2=0.9157), good for ETV6::RUNX1 ALL (R2=0.8606), and subpar for BCR::ABL1 ALL (R2=0.5763). The overall concordance between the two methods was 83.7%, and an excellent concordance rate of 95.8% was achieved for TCF3::PBX1 ALL. Major discordance, which was defined as a >1 log difference between discordant NGS-MRD and FT-MRD, occurred in 6.7% of the samples, with all but one sample being BCR::ABL1 ALL. Among the four non-transplanted patients with BCR::ABL1-MRD (+)/NGS-MRD (-), three did not relapse after long-term follow-up. Our finding indicates that NGS-MRD has a better prognostic impact than RT-qPCR-MRD in ETV6::RUNX1 and BCR::ABL1 ALL, whereas in TCF3::PBX1 ALL, both methods exhibit comparable efficacy.

Outcome of Tocilizumab Treatment in Febrile Neutropenic Children with Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock in a Single-Center Retrospective Case Series.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of an IL-6 blockade with tocilizumab on treatment outcome of severe sepsis/septic shock in children with febrile neutropenia. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of febrile neutropenic patients younger than 18 years old who developed severe sepsis/septic shock at a single medical center between November 2022 and October 2023. RESULTS: Seven patients with febrile neutropenia complicated with severe sepsis/septic shock were identified. Four of seven patients received tocilizumab in addition to standard of care. The median IL-6 level before administration of tocilizumab was 14,147 pg/mL (range: 672-30,509 pg/mL). All four patients successfully recovered from severe sepsis/septic shock. Three of seven patients received standard of care without tocilizumab. IL-6 levels were checked intwo2 patients, with a median of 1514.5 (range: 838-2191). Only one of three (33%) patients without tocilizumab therapy made a full recovery from severe sepsis/septic shock. The mortality rate was higher in patients without tocilizumab therapy compared to patients with tocilizumab therapy (67% vs. 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of tocilizumab reduced mortality of severe sepsis/septic shock in children with febrile neutropenia. However, it warrants confirmation with a larger number of patients and a longer follow-up.

Hand Castings of Children With Terminal Illnesses From Cancer Can Provide Comfort to Grieving Families.

Registered nurses have voluntarily created hand casts for families, providing comfort during challenging moments. Hand casting moves the patient's family and nurses. As requested by parents, staff apply a quick-drying gel to sick children's hands and feet. After preparing the gel mold, alginate molding powder is poured in and hardened for many days. Parents mourn their children with great sensitivity. Every mold and hospital bedside we go to offers closure to the lost child's dying moments. A compelling benefit of a three-dimensional hand-cast is preserving a passing moment.

Refining risk stratification in paediatric B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Combining IKZF1plus and Day 15 MRD positivity.

This study investigates the potential utility of IKZF1 deletion as an additional high-risk marker for paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The prognostic impact of IKZF1 status, in conjunction with minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD), was evaluated within the MRD-guided TPOG-ALL-2013 protocol using 412 newly diagnosed B-ALL patients aged 1-18. IKZF1 status was determined using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. IKZF1 deletions, when co-occurring with CDKN2A, CDKN2B, PAX5 or PAR1 region deletions in the absence of ERG deletions, were termed IKZF1plus. Both IKZF1 deletion (14.6%) and IKZF1plus (7.8%) independently predicted poorer outcomes in B-ALL. IKZF1plus was observed in 4.1% of Philadelphia-negative ALL, with a significantly lower 5-year event-free survival (53.9%) compared to IKZF1 deletion alone (83.8%) and wild-type IKZF1 (91.3%) (p < 0.0001). Among patients with Day 15 MRD ≥0.01%, provisional high-risk patients with IKZF1plus exhibited the worst outcomes in event-free survival (42.0%), relapse-free survival (48.0%) and overall survival (72.7%) compared to other groups (p < 0.0001). Integration of IKZF1plus and positive Day 15 MRD identified a subgroup of Philadelphia-negative B-ALL with a 50% risk of relapse. This study highlights the importance of assessing IKZF1plus alongside Day 15 MRD positivity to identify patients at increased risk of adverse outcomes, potentially minimizing overtreatment.

Vitiligo and Alopecia Areata After Donor Lymphocyte Infusions in a Child With Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Rarely do patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) experience vitiligo and alopecia areata. Nevertheless, the exact cause of vitiligo and alopecia areata is still not fully understood. The patient experienced a relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following a second complete remission after undergoing HLA-6/8 mismatched unrelated donor hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Achieving full donor chimerism was successful during the initial stages of the transplant. Nevertheless, the molecular evidence of measurable residual disease remained, prompting the administration of donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) following a dose-escalation protocol. After three cycles of DLI given at two-month intervals, the circulating blasts eventually vanished. After the third DLI dose, vitiligo developed despite achieving molecular remission. The dermatologist confirmed the presence of vitiligo and alopecia areata, along with cutaneous cGVHD. The outcome was the complete elimination of the molecular presence, and the patient experienced both clinical and molecular remission for a period of five years following DLI. Based on our observations, it was found that DLI could effectively eradicate molecular leukemia in cases of AML relapse after HCT. The development of vitiligo and alopecia areata was influenced by the destruction of melanocytes due to autoimmune reactions caused by cGVHD.

Early Allogeneic Transplantation Favorably Influences the Outcome of Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia-A Retrospective Study in a Single Center Over 2 Decades.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation advancements offer the potential for improving the prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Controversies surrounding indications and timing persist. We focused on identifying prognostic factors and exploring the advantages of early transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 102 pediatric patients with AML (February 1999-August 2022), using Cox regression to analyze survival and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes and Kaplan-Meier curves to assess HCT timing's impact on prognosis. RESULTS: "Treatment in First Complete Remission [CR1]: Chemotherapy" showed increased risk in multivariate and univariate Cox regression analyses, whereas "HCT during the study period" displayed divergent outcomes. Focusing on transplanted patients, "Treatment in CR1: Chemotherapy" still correlated with higher mortality risk. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of the treatment strategy adopted in CR1 on overall survival rather than HCT alone. Donor cytomegalovirus (CMV) positivity is also related to reduced mortality risk. Kaplan-Meier analysis supported superior 5-year survival rates with "HCT" compared with "chemotherapy" in CR1. In the 3-arm analysis, "HCT in CR1" demonstrated better 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) compared with "Never HCT," whereas "HCT in CR2" had the least favorable prognosis (5-year OS: 79.2% vs 57.1% vs 50%, P = .056; 5-year DFS: 73.6% vs 55.2% vs 0%, P = .000). CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the benefits of transplantation during CR1 on prognosis. However, when contemplating CR1 transplantation recommendations, evaluation of various factors, such as the patient's clinical state, relapse risk, transplant-related mortality, CMV status, and other pertinent considerations, is vital. Comprehensive case discussions with patients and families are demanded in optimizing treatment.

Prognostic Factors in Children with Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate prognostic factors and outcomes in a single-center PICU cohort that received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and outcomes. Ninety-day mortality and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) were defined as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were enrolled, all of whom received CRRT for indications including acute kidney injury with complicated refractory metabolic acidosis, electrolyte derangement, and existed or impending fluid overload. The 90-day mortality and advanced CKD were 53% and 29%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that only underlying bone marrow transplantation (BMT) (HR 4.58; 95% CI: 2.04-10.27) and a high pSOFA score (HR 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01-1.23) were independent risk factors for 90-day mortality. Among survivors, ten developed advanced CKD on the 90th day, and this group had a higher serum fibrinogen level (OR 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03) at the start of CRRT. CONCLUSION: In critically ill children with AKI requiring CRRT, post-BMT and high pSOFA scores are independent risk factors for 90-day mortality. Additionally, a high serum fibrinogen level at the initiation of CRRT is associated with the development of advanced CKD.

Aloe vera gel for prevention of chemotherapy-induced hyperpigmentation: Four case reports.

RATIONALE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical application of Aloe vera gel in preventing chemotherapy-induced hyperpigmentation (CIH). CIH is a common side effect of chemotherapy that causes skin irritation, redness, and itching. Aloe vera has been studied for its potential use in treating radiation-induced dermatitis, which may help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with this condition. PATIENT CONCERNS: In this study, 4 children requiring curative chemotherapy were prospectively enrolled and treated with Aloe vera gel. DIAGNOSIS: Acute skin reactions were monitored and classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Grading Scale. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were asked to use the gel on one-half of the body field twice daily from the beginning of treatment until 4 weeks after the completion of chemotherapy, with no medication to be used on the other half. OUTCOMES: The results indicate that applying Aloe vera gel may reduce the visibility of hyperpigmentation at subsequent time points. The most important observation was that the continued application of Aloe vera gel 4 weeks after the completion of chemotherapy was effective in reducing the grading of CIH. LESSONS: These effects highlight the potential of Aloe vera gel as a topical onconutraceutical treatment for CIH.

Harnessing and honing mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for the amelioration of graft-versus-host disease.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a deterministic curative procedure for various hematologic disorders and congenital immunodeficiency. Despite its increased use, the mortality rate for patients undergoing this procedure remains high, mainly due to the perceived risk of exacerbating graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). However, even with immunosuppressive agents, some patients still develop GVHD. Advanced mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) strategies have been proposed to achieve better therapeutic outcomes, given their immunosuppressive potential. However, the efficacy and trial designs have varied among the studies, and some research findings appear contradictory due to the challenges in characterizing the in vivo effects of MSCs. This review aims to provide real insights into this clinical entity, emphasizing diagnostic, and therapeutic considerations and generating pathophysiology hypotheses to identify research avenues. The indications and timing for the clinical application of MSCs are still subject to debate.

Clinical Features and Genetic Analysis of Taiwanese Primary Immunodeficiency Patients with Prolonged Diarrhea and Monogenetic Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

PURPOSE: Diarrhea lasting longer than 14 days which fails to respond to conventional management is defined as severe and protracted diarrhea and might overlap with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: The prevalence, associated pathogens, and prognosis of severe and protracted diarrhea without IBD (SD) and with monogenetic IBD (mono-IBD) in primary immunodeficiency patients (PID) were investigated in Taiwan. RESULTS: A total of 301 patients were enrolled between 2003 and 2022, with predominantly pediatric-onset PID. Of these, 24 PID patients developed the SD phenotype before prophylactic treatment, including Btk (six), IL2RG (four), WASP, CD40L, gp91 (three each), gp47, RAG1 (one each), CVID (two), and SCID (one) without identified mutations. The most detectable pathogens were pseudomonas and salmonella (six each), and all patients improved after approximately 2 weeks of antibiotic and/or IVIG treatments. Six (25.0%) mortalities without HSCT implementation were due to respiratory failure from interstitial pneumonia (3 SCID and 1 CGD), intracranial hemorrhage (WAS), and lymphoma (HIGM). In the mono-IBD group, seventeen patients with mutant TTC7A (2), FOXP3 (2), NEMO (2), XIAP (2), LRBA (1), TTC37 (3), IL10RA (1), STAT1 (1), ZAP70 (1), PIK3CD (1), and PIK3R1 (1) genes failed to respond to aggressive treatments. Nine mono-IBD patients with TTC7A (2), FOXP3 (2), NEMO (2), XIAP (2), and LRBA (1) mutations were fatal in the absence of HSCT. The mono-IBD group had a significantly earlier age of diarrhea onset (1.7 vs 33.3 months, p = 0.0056), a longer TPN duration (34.2 vs 7.0 months, p < 0.0001), a shorter follow-up period (41.6 vs 132.6 months, p = 0.007), and a higher mortality rate (58.9 vs 25.0%, p = 0.012) compared with the SD group. CONCLUSION: When compared to those with the SD phenotype, the mono-IBD patients had significant early-onset and poor responses to empiric antibiotics, IVIG, and steroids. Anti-inflammatory biologics and suitable HSCT still have the potential to control or even cure the mono-IBD phenotype.

A case series and literature review on 98 pediatric patients of germ cell tumor developing growing teratoma syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant germ cell tumors (MGCTs) can develop either extracranially or intracranially. Growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) may develop in these patients following chemotherapy. Reports on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of GTS in children with MGCTs are limited. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data, including the clinical characteristics and outcomes of five patients in our series and 93 pediatric patients selected through a literature review of MGCTs. This study aimed to analyze survival outcomes and risk factors for subsequent events in pediatric patients with MGCTs developing GTS. RESULTS: The sex ratio was 1.09 (male/female). In total, 52 patients (53.1%) had intracranial MGCTs. Compared with patients with extracranial GCTs, those with intracranial GCTs were younger, predominantly boys, had shorter intervals between MGCT and GTS, and had GTS mostly occurring over the initial site (all p < 0.001). Ninety-five patients (96.9%) were alive. However, GTS recurrence (n = 14), GTS progression (n = 9), and MGCT recurrence (n = 19) caused a substantial decrease in event-free survival (EFS). Multivariate analyses showed that the only significant risk factors for these events were incomplete GTS resection and different locations of GCT and GTS. Patients without any risk had a 5-year EFS of 78.8% ± 7.8%, whereas those with either risk had 41.7% ± 10.2% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For patients with high-risk features, every effort should be made to closely monitor, completely remove, and pathologically prove any newly developed mass to guide relevant treatment. Further studies incorporating the risk factors into treatment strategies may be required to optimize adjuvant therapy.

Immersive Virtual Reality to Distract From Pain in Children Treated With L-asparaginase by Intramuscular Injection.

Background Treatment-related pain and discomfort are two of the most common manifestations in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients with ALL are usually treated with L-asparaginase (L-ASP) by intramuscular injection. Children receiving L-ASP chemotherapy must bear adverse reactions such as pain caused by intramuscular injections. The use of virtual reality (VR) distraction technology could be a non-pharmacological intervention to bolster patients' comfort and decrease anxiety and procedure-related pain within hospital settings. Methodology The study explored the potential benefits of VR as a psychological intervention to induce positive emotions and reduce pain levels in participants receiving L-ASP injections. Participants in the study had the opportunity to select a nature theme of their choosing during their treatment session. The study provided a noninvasive solution that promoted relaxation to reduce anxiety by shifting an individual's mood positively during treatment. The objective was met by measuring participants' mood and pain levels before and after the VR experience and participant satisfaction with the use of the technology. This mixed-methods study of children aged six to 18 received L-ASP between April 2021 and March 2022, using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) with sheer numbers ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme or most pain possible). Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect new data and explore participants' thoughts and beliefs about a particular topic. A total of 14 patients participated. Descriptive statistics and content analysis are used to describe the data analyzed. VR is an enjoyable distraction intervention for managing treatment-related pain in ALL with intramuscular chemotherapy. Results Eight of 14 patients found a reduction in perceived pain after wearing VR. During the intervention implementation, the primary caregivers felt that the patient's pain perception was more positive when using the virtual reality device, and there was less resistance and less crying. Conclusions This study describes changes and experiences associated with pain and physical discomfort in children with ALL receiving intramuscular chemotherapy. This teaching model is applied to developing medical personnel, providing information about the disease and daily care, and educating the participants' family members. This study may expand the usage of VR applications so that more patients can benefit from them.

Association of CD34+ Cell Dose with Progression-free Survival after Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Children with Hematologic Malignancies.

BACKGROUND: A higher CD34+ cell dose is associated with improved engraftment but may also be associated with an increased risk of complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). METHODS: We retrospectively analyze the impact of CD34+ cell dose on OS, PFS, neutrophil engraftment, platelet engraftment, treatment-related mortality, and GVHD grading. RESULTS: For analyses, CD34+ cell dose was stratified into low (< 8.5 × 106/kg) and high (> 8.5 × 106/kg). A subgroup analysis of higher CD34+ cell dose leads to prolonged OS and PFS, but statistical significance was achieved only for PFS (OR 0.36; 95%CI 0.14-0.95; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This study reinforced that CD34+ cell dose at the time of allo-HSCT retained a positive impact on PFS.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation without preconditioning in a child with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome: A case report.

RATIONALE: Infants with mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged leukemia are usually refractory to standard induction therapy and are not immediate candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Chromosome 11q23 translocations, resulting in MLL rearrangement, have been well characterized in infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). While t(4;11) ALL continues to have carry a bleak prognosis, patients with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) have a shorter median overall survival than those compared with de novo MDS. PATIENT CONCERNS: We describe a child with t-MDS who evolved from MLL-rearranged ALL and was successfully treated with HSCT without toxic preconditioning. DIAGNOSES: MDS diagnosis was based on morphological characteristics of bone marrow dysplasia in patients with clinical manifestations evidence of hematopoiesis impairments by different combinations of anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. INTERVENTIONS: Although the best donor for allo-HSCT is generally considered an human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling, only ~ 30% of patients have a suitable sibling. HSCT from an unrelated donor is a suitable option for patients with t-MDS who do not have matched sibling donors. OUTCOMES: Allo-HSCT without recipient preconditioning could be a promising treatment option for t-MDS, especially for patients with recurrent or persistent infections. LESSONS: Cytogenetics, prognosis, and treatment of t-MDS are briefly discussed. Preconditioning before allo-HSCT seriously damages immune function. This work reviews our experience with a patient with t-MDS following ALL complicated by recurrent infections, and highlights our choice to omit preconditioning from allo-HSCT.