MGMT protein expression is a reliable predictive biomarker for temozolomide-containing chemotherapy in osteosarcoma.

The prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma who experience recurrence or progression (R/P) is extremely poor, and more effective and less toxic therapies are needed. In the current study, the clinical data of osteosarcoma patients who experienced R/P were retrospectively analyzed to verify the reliability of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) protein expression or MGMT promoter methylation for predicting the response to off-label temozolomide (TMZ)-containing chemotherapy. Of the 30 evaluable patients, 9 (30%) showed no/low MGMT protein expression, whereas all 16 evaluable patients had unmethylated MGMT promoter irrespective of MGMT protein expression levels. Twenty-three patients received TMZ-containing chemotherapy for measurable lesions (n = 14) or as adjuvant therapy following resection of recurrent lesions (n = 9). Among 14 patients with radiologically measurable lesions, the objective response rate was higher in the MGMT no/low-expression group (50.0%) than in the MGMT intermediate/high-expression group with borderline significance (0%, p = 0.066). The 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate in patients with radiologically measurable lesions was significantly higher in the MGMT no/low-expression group (50.0%) than in the MGMT intermediate/high-expression group (0%, p = 0.036). In the multivariate analysis of the 23 patients receiving TMZ-containing chemotherapy, MGMT expression and disease status before TMZ-containing chemotherapy were significantly associated with PFS. No severe adverse effects were observed during TMZ-containing chemotherapy. MGMT protein expression, but not MGMT promoter methylation, could predict a favorable outcome in patients receiving TMZ-containing chemotherapy.

Regular prophylaxis with activated prothrombin complex concentrates in pediatric hemophilia.

BACKGROUND: Regular prophylaxis with activated prothrombin complex concentrates (aPCCs) is effective in adult patients with hemophilia with inhibitors; however, data in children are scarce. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study at Saitama Children's Medical Center. Patients with severe and moderate hemophilia with inhibitors aged <15 years at the start of aPCCs prophylaxis were included. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: We treated nine pediatric patients with hemophilia with inhibitors (median age, 1.9 years; age range, 1.3-12.9 years; inhibitor titers before treatment with aPCCs, 5.9-69 BU/mL) using prophylactic aPCCs (doses, 50-100 U/kg; 2-3 times/week). The median prophylactic period was 13 months (range: 5-31 months). The median annualized bleeding rate (ABR) during prophylactic treatment with aPCCs was 2 (range, 0-17). In four patients, ABR was reduced by 19%-100% with prophylactic aPCCs compared to on-demand aPCCs. An adverse effect of treatment was that a patient with hemophilia B developed nephrotic syndrome 34 months after starting regular prophylaxis with aPCCs. CONCLUSIONS: Regular prophylactic aPCCs reduced the ABR even in younger children with hemophilia A and B. Serious adverse events include nephrotic syndrome, which requires caution.

Use of Cabozantinib to Treat MET -amplified Pediatric Colorectal Cancer.

Pediatric colorectal cancer (CRC) is extremely rare, with little information about genetic profiles compared with adult CRC. Here, a 13-year-old male with advanced CRC underwent cancer gene panel testing, which detected 4 genetic abnormalities ( MET amplification in addition to TP53 , SMAD4 , and CTNNA1 mutations) that might be associated with a poor prognosis. Based on high-level MET amplification, he received a multikinase inhibitor, cabozantinib, after failure of first-line and second-line chemotherapy, resulting in transient disease stabilization. Tailored targeted therapy based on molecular profiling can be an effective treatment strategy for rare cancers such as pediatric CRC.

PAX5 alterations in an infant case of KMT2A-rearranged leukemia with lineage switch.

Lineage switch is a rare event at leukemic relapse. While mostly known to occur in KMT2A-rearranged infant leukemia, the underlying mechanism is yet to be depicted. This case report describes a female infant who achieved remission of KMT2A-MLLT3-rearranged acute monocytic leukemia, but 6 months thereafter, relapsed as KMT2A-MLLT3-rearranged acute lymphocytic leukemia. Whole exome sequencing of the bone marrow obtained pre-post lineage switch revealed two somatic mutations of PAX5 in the relapse sample. These two PAX5 alterations were suggested to be loss of function, thus to have played the driver role in the lineage switch from acute monocytic leukemia to acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Oncogenic cooperation between TCF7-SPI1 and NRAS(G12D) requires ß-catenin activity to drive T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Spi-1 Proto-Oncogene (SPI1) fusion genes are recurrently found in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cases but are insufficient to drive leukemogenesis. Here we show that SPI1 fusions in combination with activating NRAS mutations drive an immature T-ALL in vivo using a conditional bone marrow transplant mouse model. Addition of the oncogenic fusion to the NRAS mutation also results in a higher leukemic stem cell frequency. Mechanistically, genetic deletion of the ß-catenin binding domain within Transcription factor 7 (TCF7)-SPI1 or use of a TCF/ß-catenin interaction antagonist abolishes the oncogenic activity of the fusion. Targeting the TCF7-SPI1 fusion in vivo with a doxycycline-inducible knockdown results in increased differentiation. Moreover, both pharmacological and genetic inhibition lead to down-regulation of SPI1 targets. Together, our results reveal an example where TCF7-SPI1 leukemia is vulnerable to pharmacological targeting of the TCF/ß-catenin interaction.

[Chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia with intracranial hemorrhage complicated with tumor lysis syndrome].

A 14-year-old male with autism was admitted to our hospital owing to altered consciousness and gait disturbance. Blood tests showed a white blood cell (WBC) count of 728,600/µl, and brain computed tomography revealed intracranial hemorrhage and a midline shift of the brain. The chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was confirmed as per bone marrow aspiration findings. The patient underwent emergency craniotomy for hematoma removal, and he subsequently received hydroxyurea and rasburicase combination therapy. However, he developed tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) and died on the second day of hospitalization. Histopathological examination of autopsy specimens did not reveal any condition that could account for his death other than CML. Several reports have described intracranial hemorrhage during the accelerated phase or blast crisis of CML, but few have described this complication during the chronic phase. TLS concomitant with CML in the chronic phase or following hydroxyurea (an inhibitor of DNA synthesis) administration is rare. It is essential for clinicians to be aware that patients with chronic phase CML and high WBC counts may develop TLS, following the administration of hydroxyurea alone. In addition, extreme caution is warranted in severe cases accompanied by intracranial hemorrhage.

[Gilteritinib for pediatric FLT3 internal tandem duplication-positive recurrent acute myeloid leukemia].

Gilteritinib is an FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitor that has shown efficacy in patients with refractory or recurrent adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with FLT3 mutations. However, there are limited data for pediatric patients treated with this drug. Herein, we report the clinical courses of two children with FLT3-mutated recurrent AML who received gilteritinib. Case 1: An 11-year-old boy with secondary relapsed AML presented with an FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) since the first recurrence. One week after gilteritinib initiation, blasts, which had comprised 90% of the white blood cells before treatment, almost disappeared from the peripheral blood without tumor lysis syndrome. The patient developed multiple adverse effects and died from the disease 2.5 months after gilteritinib initiation. Case 2: A 12-year-old girl diagnosed with AML was positive for FLT3 ITD. She received gilteritinib during her first relapse post-stem cell transplantation. After the drug was administered, the recipient cell counts increased, as determined by molecular tests (i.e., FISH), whereas microscopically, there was a complete response for 5 months with good performance status. Gilteritinib treatment in children with FLT3-mutated recurrent AML is feasible and effective. As a patient experienced several adverse effects with gilteritinib treatment, clinical trials are required to determine the appropriate pediatric dose of this medication.

Perioperative safety and haematostatic efficacy of a new bypassing agent pd-FVIIa/FX (Byclot) in haemophilia patients with high-responding type inhibitors.

: The novel agent pd-FVIIa/FX is a 1 : 10 protein weight mixture of activated factor VII (FVIIa) and factor X (FX) derived from donated blood plasma. A phase III clinical trial of pd-FVIIa/FX revealed high efficacy for bleeding episodes in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. However, up to now, only one case of this new agent being used for surgery had been reported. The objective of this study is to evaluate the perioperative haemostatic efficacy and safety of pd-FVIIa/FX in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. We retrospectively reviewed 25 operation charts from 14 haemophilia patients with high-responding inhibitors using pd-FVIIa/FX during the perioperative period. Efficacy was evaluated by attending physicians and results divided into four groups (excellent, good, fair, and poor). The operation chart was provided by nine Japanese medical institutes with expertise in haemophilia management. Out of the total of 25 surgical procedures, 44% (11/25) were classified as major surgery and the remainders were minor surgeries. In all of the surgeries but one, rFVIIa and/or APCC were administered in combination or sequential method. In all cases except one, the haemostatic efficiency rate was judged as excellent or good by treating physicians for an overall efficacy rate of 96%. No thrombotic adverse effects were reported. This study's results suggest that both combination and sequential therapy of pd-FVIIa/FX and other bypassing agents are well tolerated and effective for the control of perioperative bleeding in haemophilia patients with high-responding inhibitors.

[Successful management of acute chest syndrome in a patient with sickle cell disease].

Although sickle cell disease (SCD) is common in endemic areas of malaria, it is one of the rare diseases in Japan. Hence, SCD and its complications are not well established in Japan. An 11-year-old girl was referred to the specialized pediatric center of our hospital. She was born in Brazil and diagnosed with SCD after birth. However, she did not have a routine checkup in Japan. Owing to influenza viral infection, she developed vaso-occlusive pain crisis (VPC) and needed hospitalization for pain management. After admission, she developed dyspnea, needing intratracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. A chest X-ray revealed bilateral pulmonary infiltration, suggesting acute chest syndrome (ACS) complicated with SCD. Intensive care, including transfusion of red blood cells, successfully improved her condition. Reportedly, half cases of VPC develop ACS, and the mortality of ACS is very high. Hence, when managing VPC cases, the prevention of ACS, through transfusion of red blood cells or infectious control, is imperative. Thus, Japanese hematologists and pediatricians should recognize SCD and its complications owing to an anticipated increase of foreign travelers or migrants in the future.

Management of severe congenital protein C deficiency with a direct oral anticoagulant, edoxaban: A case report.

A male patient diagnosed with severe congenital protein C (PC) deficiency during the neonatal period was treated with long-term warfarin but frequently developed purpura fulminans and bleeding. At four years of age, edoxaban was initiated (direct oral anticoagulant [DOAC]). His d-dimer and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product levels were closely monitored. His PC activity increased from below the sensitivity range to 17%; this increase was thought to be due to a reduction in PC consumption during edoxaban therapy. After edoxaban introduction, he experienced just one episode of purpura fulminans over two years without any adverse events. Thus, DOAC may be a promising alternative for the management of congenital PC deficiency.

Characteristics of methotrexate-induced stroke-like neurotoxicity.

Intrathecal administration of methotrexate (IT-MTX) can lead to neurotoxicity. MTX-induced neurotoxicity occasionally manifests with a stroke-like presentation that is difficult to distinguish from genuine stroke. We retrospectively reviewed records of nine patients with leukemia or lymphoma and episodes of stroke-like presentation at our institute between 2010 and 2015 for whom magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were available. Coagulation test results were compared between the two diagnostic groups. Four patients were diagnosed with MTX-induced stroke-like neurotoxicity. The first neurological event occurred 10-13 days after the fourth or later IT-MTX treatment. All four patients had hemiparalysis, two exhibited disturbed consciousness and three presented with speech disorders. Fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) and D-dimer values were within normal ranges. MRI revealed bilateral lesions with restricted diffusion in all four cases. Neurological symptoms fluctuated and resolved within 5 days, and IT-MTX was subsequently re-initiated in all four cases. One patient developed transient hemiparalysis after a subsequent IT-MTX treatment, but this did not recur thereafter. Bilateral lesions on MRI and normal coagulation are indicative of MTX-induced stroke-like neurotoxicity. Continuation of IT-MTX after these events is generally feasible, but adverse event risk should be carefully weighed against anti-tumor benefits.

Infantile spasms in a mosaic monocentric and duplicated SMC 15 patient.

OBJECTIVE: To report detail of a patient with infantile spasms whose cytogenetic analysis revealed mosaic monocentric and duplicated supernumerary marker chromosome (SMC) 15. SUBJECT AND METHODS: The subject for this case was a 13-month-old girl with infantile spasms and delayed developmental milestones. Chromosomal analysis with G-band showed the presence of SMC in mosaic. Further investigations using in situ hybridization, methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA), microsatellite marker, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis were performed. RESULTS: Her karyotype was noted as mosaic 47,XX,+mar[26]/46,XX[4], ish der(15)(D15Z1+, SNRPN++, PML-) de novo. MS-MLPA analysis showed that the Prader-Willi syndrome/Angelman syndrome critical region is highly methylated, and microsatellite marker analysis proved that the 15q11.2 region of the patient comprises three kinds of alleles: one paternal and two maternal. SNP array analysis suggested an asymmetric structure of SMC(15) composed of 15q11-q13 recombination at breakpoint (BP) 4:BP5. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of SMC(15) with monocentric and duplicated proximal 15q. The clinical presentations are quite similar to those of isodicentric chromosome 15 syndrome. The results of microsatellite and SNP array analysis suggest two possibilities regarding the timing of the mosaic SMC(15) formation. One possibility is that it occurred during maternal meiosis, and the other possibility is formation during a very early stage of embryo development that was initially trisomic of chromosome 15.

[Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using myeloablative conditioning including total body irradiation for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a single-center retrospective analysis].

This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with total body irradiation-based myeloablative conditioning (TBI-MAC) in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We retrospectively examined patients with ALL who underwent HSCT with TBI-MAC from January 2000 to August 2016 at our institute. We enrolled 67 patients with a median follow-up period of 8 years. The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 51.2% and 59.6%, respectively. At the first complete remission, HSCT exhibited significantly superior EFS and OS in our patients than that in patients with other diseases. We encountered 57.9% of patients with at least one late complication. Major late complications were short stature (26.3%) and hypogonadism (18.4%). While late complications were observed in several recipients of HSCT, late complication-related deaths occurred in three patients. The TBI-MAC regimen led to favorable clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with ALL who underwent HSCT. Thus, proper evaluation and management of late complications are mandatory.

[The feasibility of Erwinia asparaginase for pediatric patients who developed an allergic reaction to E.coli asparaginase during treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Asparaginase (ASNase) is one of the most important key drugs in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, clinical hypersensitivity reactions often occur and lead to the discontinuation of ASNase treatment. Here, we report a retrospective study of 68 Erwinia ASNase (Erw-ASNase) administrations in 11 patients with childhood ALL who developed allergic reactions to E.coli-ASNase in our hospital between 2006 and 2012. The median age of the patients was 6 (range, 0 to 14). Erw-ASNase purchased overseas by the patients' guardians had already been administered when we obtained informed consent from the guardians. In all patients, fibrinogen and/or anti-thrombin III levels were decreased, but thrombosis did not develop. There was only one mild adverse event (grade 2 urticaria) in one patient, in whom Erw-ASNase could be continued after increasing the doses of premedication with antihistamine and prednisolone. Erw-ASNase could be safely administered to all patients.