No difference in survival after HLA mismatched versus HLA matched allogeneic stem cell transplantation in Ewing sarcoma patients with advanced disease.

Patients with advanced Ewing sarcoma (AES) carry a poor prognosis. Retrospectively, we analyzed 66 AES patients treated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) receiving HLA-mismatched (group A, n = 39) versus HLA-matched grafts (group B, n = 27). Median age at diagnosis was 13 years, and 15 years (range 3-49 years) at allo-SCT. The two groups did not differ statistically in distribution of gender, age, remission status/number of relapses at allo-SCT, or risk stratum. 9/39 (23%) group A versus 2/27 (7%) group B patients developed severe acute graft versus host disease (GvHD). Of patients alive at day 100, 7/34 (21%) group A versus 9/19 (47%) group B patients had developed chronic GvHD. In group A, 33/39 (85%) versus 20/27 (74%) group B patients died of disease and 1/39 (3%) versus 1/27 (4%) patients died of complications, respectively. Altogether 12/66 (18%) patients survived in CR. Median EFS 24 months after allo-SCT was 20% in both groups, median OS was 27% (group A) versus 17% (group B), respectively. There was no difference in EFS and OS in AES patients transplanted with HLA-mismatched versus HLA-matched graft in univariate and multivariate analyses. In this analysis, CR at allo-SCT is a condition for survival (p < 0.02).

Extended induction chemotherapy does not improve the outcome for high-risk neuroblastoma patients: results of the randomized open-label GPOH trial NB2004-HR.

BACKGROUND: Long-term survival of high-risk neuroblastoma patients is still below 50% despite intensive multimodal treatment. This trial aimed to address whether the addition of two topotecan-containing chemotherapy courses compared to standard induction therapy improves event-free survival (EFS) of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An open-label, multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial was carried out at 58 hospitals in Germany and Switzerland. Patients aged 1-21 years with stage 4 neuroblastoma and patients aged 6 months to 21 years with MYCN-amplified tumors were eligible. The primary endpoint was EFS. Patients were randomly assigned to standard induction therapy with six chemotherapy courses or to experimental induction chemotherapy starting with two additional courses of topotecan, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide followed by standard induction chemotherapy (eight courses in total). After induction chemotherapy, all patients received high-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell rescue and isotretinoin for consolidation. Radiotherapy was applied to patients with active tumors at the end of induction chemotherapy. RESULTS: Of 536 patients enrolled in the trial, 422 were randomly assigned to the control arm (n = 211) and the experimental arm (n = 211); the median follow-up time was 3.32 years (interquartile range 1.65-5.92). At data lock, the 3-year EFS of experimental and control patients was 34% and 32% [95% confidence Interval (CI) 28% to 40% and 26% to 38%; P = 0.258], respectively. Similarly, the 3-year overall survival of the patients did not differ [54% and 48% (95% CI 46% to 62% and 40% to 56%), respectively; P = 0.558]. The response to induction chemotherapy was not different between the arms. The median number of non-fatal toxicities per patient was higher in the experimental group while the median number of toxicities per chemotherapy course was not different. CONCLUSION: While the burden for the patients was increased by prolonging the induction chemotherapy and the toxicity, the addition of two topotecan-containing chemotherapy courses did not improve the EFS of high-risk neuroblastoma patients and thus cannot be recommended. CLINICAL TRIALS. GOV NUMBER: NCT number 03042429.

A Semi-Mechanistic Population Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model of Bortezomib in Pediatric Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: The pharmacokinetics (PK) of the 20S proteasome inhibitor bortezomib are characterized by a large volume of distribution and a rapid decline in plasma concentrations within the first hour after administration. An increase in exposure was observed in the second week of treatment, which has previously been explained by extensive binding of bortezomib to proteasome in erythrocytes and peripheral tissues. We characterized the nonlinear population PK and pharmacodynamics (PD) of bortezomib in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. METHODS: Overall, 323 samples from 28 patients were available from a pediatric clinical study investigating bortezomib at an intravenous dose of 1.3 mg/m2 twice weekly (Dutch Trial Registry number 1881/ITCC021). A semi-physiological PK model for bortezomib was first developed; the PK were linked to the decrease in 20S proteasome activity in the final PK/PD model. RESULTS: The plasma PK data were adequately described using a two-compartment model with linear elimination. Increased concentrations were observed in week 2 compared with week 1, which was described using a Langmuir binding model. The decrease in 20S proteasome activity was best described by a direct effect model with a sigmoidal maximal inhibitory effect, representing the relationship between plasma concentrations and effect. The maximal inhibitory effect was 0.696 pmol AMC/s/mg protein (95% confidence interval 0.664-0.728) after administration. CONCLUSION: The semi-physiological model adequately described the nonlinear PK and PD of bortezomib in plasma. This model can be used to further optimize dosing of bortezomib.

Fertility preservation issues in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: practical approaches from the consensus of the Pediatric Diseases Working Party of the EBMT and the International BFM Study Group.

Fertility preservation is an urgent challenge in the transplant setting. A panel of transplanters and fertility specialists within the Pediatric Diseases Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the International BFM Study Group provides specific guidelines. Patients and families should be informed of possible gender- and age-specific cryopreservation strategies that should be tailored according to the underlying disease, clinical condition and previous exposure to chemotherapy. Semen collection should be routinely offered to all postpubertal boys at the diagnosis of any disease requiring therapy that could potentially impair fertility. Testicular tissue collection might be offered to postpubertal boys; nevertheless, its use has been unsuccessful to date. Oocyte collection after hormonal hyperstimulation should be offered to postpubertal girls facing gonadotoxic therapies that could be delayed for the 2 weeks required for the procedure. Ovarian tissue collection could be offered to pre-/post-pubertal girls. Pregnancies have been reported after postpubertal ovarian tissue reimplantation; however, to date, no pregnancy has been reported after the reimplantation of prepubertal ovarian tissue or in vitro maturation of pre-/post-pubertal ovarian tissue. Possible future advances in reproductive medicine could change this scenario. Health authorities should prioritize fertility preservation projects in pediatric transplantation to improve patient care and quality of life.

Genotype-outcome correlations in pediatric AML: the impact of a monosomal karyotype in trial AML-BFM 2004.

We conducted a cytogenetic analysis of 642 children with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated on the AML-Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM) 04 protocol to determine the prognostic value of specific chromosomal aberrations including monosomal (MK+), complex (CK+) and hypodiploid (HK+) karyotypes, individually and in combination. Multivariate regression analysis identified in particular MK+ (n=22) as a new independent risk factor for poor event-free survival (EFS 23±9% vs 53±2% for all other patients, P=0.0003), even after exclusion of four patients with monosomy 7 (EFS 28±11%, P=0.0081). CK+ patients without MK had a better prognosis (n=47, EFS 47±8%, P=0.46) than those with MK+ (n=12, EFS 25±13%, P=0.024). HK+ (n=37, EFS 44±8% for total cohort, P=0.3) influenced outcome only when t(8;21) patients were excluded (remaining n=16, EFS 9±8%, P<0.0001). An extremely poor outcome was observed for MK+/HK+ patients (n=10, EFS 10±10%, P<0.0001). Finally, isolated trisomy 8 was also associated with low EFS (n=16, EFS 25±11%, P=0.0091). In conclusion, monosomal karyotype is a strong and independent predictor for high-risk pediatric AML. In addition, isolated trisomy 8 and hypodiploidy without t(8;21) coincide with dismal outcome. These results have important implications for risk stratification and should be further validated in independent pediatric cohorts.

State-of-the-art fertility preservation in children and adolescents undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a report on the expert meeting of the Paediatric Diseases Working Party (PDWP) of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) in Baden, Austria, 29-30 September 2015.

Nowadays, allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a well-established treatment procedure and often the only cure for many patients with malignant and non-malignant diseases. Decrease in short-term complications has substantially contributed to increased survival. Therefore long-term sequelae are reaching the focus of patient care. One of the most important risks of stem cell transplant survivors is infertility. As well as in the field of allo-HSCT also the field of reproductive medicine has achieved substantial advances to offer potential options for fertility preservation in both boys and girls. Access to these procedures as well as their financing differs significantly throughout Europe. As all European children and adolescents should have the same possibility, the Paediatric Diseases Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation organised an expert meeting in September 2015. This manuscript describes the recommendations for the diagnosis and pre-emptive procedures that should be offered to all children and adolescents in Europe who have to undergo an allo-HSCT.

Treatment of relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents with ALL: the Frankfurt experience.

Therapy for post-transplant relapse of paediatric ALL is limited. Standardised curative approaches are not available. We hereby describe our local procedure in this life-threatening situation. A total of 101 ALL patients received their first allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in our institution. After relapse, our primary therapeutic goal was to cure the patient with high-dose chemotherapy or specific immunotherapy (HDCHT/SIT) followed by a second SCT from a haploidentical donor (transplant approach). If this was not feasible, low-dose chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte infusions (LDCHT+DLI) were offered (non-transplant approach). A total of 23 patients suffered a post-transplant relapse. Eight patients received HDCHT/SIT, followed by haploidentical SCT in 7/8. Ten received LDCHT+DLI. The eight patients treated with a second transplant and the ten treated with the non-transplant approach had a 4-year overall survival of 56% and 40%, respectively (P=0.232). Prerequisites for successful treatment of post-transplant relapse by either a second transplant or experimental non-transplant approaches are good clinical condition and the capacity to achieve haematological remission by the induction treatment element.

Percentiles of Lymphocyte Subsets in Preterm Infants According to Gestational Age Compared to Children and Adolescents.

Preterm newborns show an increased susceptibility to infections, conceivably related to their immature immune system. To gain further knowledge about the immune development in early preterm infants, we aimed to establish references for lymphocyte subsets and compare the maturation process during hospitalization to healthy term-born children and adolescents. For this purpose, peripheral blood samples (n = 153) were collected from 40 preterm infants, gestational age (GA) 26-30 week between 2nd and 6th day of life, and were monitored in intervals of every 2 or rather 4 weeks until the end of hospitalization. Furthermore, we analysed single sample controls of 10 term neonates. We compared these data with results of a study in healthy children and adolescent (n = 176). Flow cytometry of immune cell subsets was performed as single-platform analysis using 10-colour flow cytometry. Based on preterm's age, our percentile model allows readout of absolute cell count for lymphocytes, B cells, T cells, NK cells, T8 and T4 cells. The median (minimum) value of T-, B- and NK cells after birth was 2800 (600), 790 (120) and 140 (20) cells/µl, respectively. Major differences were found in absolute cell numbers of B cells, and in the frequency of regulatory T cells, most pronounced in the earliest preterm infants (GA 26). Compared to healthy children and adolescents, preterm infants reached lymphocyte counts in between the 5th and 50th percentile when discharging the hospital. This prospective observational study provides reference percentiles for lymphocytes subsets of preterm infants. These data are conducive to interpret immunological capability of preterm infants with possible immune disorders appropriate.

Infectious complications in children with acute myeloid leukemia: decreased mortality in multicenter trial AML-BFM 2004.

Infections are an important cause for morbidity and mortality in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We therefore characterized infectious complications in children treated according to the trial AML-BFM 2004. Patients with Down syndrome were excluded from the analysis. Data were gathered from the medical records in the hospital where the patients were treated. A total of 405 patients (203 girls; median age 8.4 years) experienced 1326 infections. Fever without identifiable source occurred in 56.1% of the patients and clinically and microbiologically documented infections in 17.5% and 32.4% of the patients, respectively. In all, 240 Gram-positive (112 viridans group streptococci) and 90 Gram-negative isolates were recovered from the bloodstream. Invasive fungal infection was diagnosed in 3% of the patients. Three children each died of Gram-negative bacteremia and invasive aspergillosis, respectively. As compared with the results of AML-BFM 93 with lower dose intensity, infection-related morbidity was slightly higher in AML-BFM 2004 (3.3. versus 2.8 infections per patient), whereas infection-related mortality significantly decreased (1.5% versus 5.4%; P=0.003). Specific anti-infective recommendations included in the treatment protocol, regular training courses for pediatric hematologists and increasing experience may be the reason for reduced infection-related mortality in children with AML. Further studies are needed to decrease infection-related morbidity.

Randomised Introduction of 2-CDA as Intensification during Consolidation for Children with High-risk AML--results from Study AML-BFM 2004.

BACKGROUND: The outcome in children and adolescents with high-risk (HR) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still unsatisfactory. Therefore, in study AML-BFM 2004 we aimed to improve outcome of HR-patients by adding moderately dosed 2-Chloro-2-Deoxyadenosine (2-CDA) to the respective consolidation treatment backbone without increasing toxicity. The aim was to improve prognosis especially in FAB M4/M5/MLL patients, who represent the largest subgroup of HR patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 343 children and adolescents with HR-AML were randomized to receive or not 2-CDA (6 mg/m²/d, days 1, 3) in combination with cytarabine/idarubicine (AI=500 mg/m² cytarabine 5 days continuous infusion plus 7 mg/m²/d idarubicin, days 3 and 5). RESULTS: RESULTS for patients of the AI/2-CDA arm (n=168) vs. the AI-arm (n=175) were similar: 5-year overall survival 68±4 vs. 72±4%, plogrank=0.38, event-free survival 53±4 vs. 49±4%, plogrank=0.77; cumulative incidence of relapse at 5 years: 35±4 vs. 37±4%, p(Gray)=0.89. RESULTS in patients with MLL rearrangement or FAB M4/M5 were also similar in the treatment groups. In addition, toxicities did not differ between the two arms. CONCLUSION: We conclude that additional, moderate dose 2-CDA does not improve prognosis in HR-patients when given during consolidation treatment. Its effect might be too low in this multidrug regimen, where the strongest effects are achieved during induction, or the chosen dose of 2-CDA might have been too low.

Monitoring minimal residual disease in children with high-risk relapses of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: prognostic relevance of early and late assessment.

The prognosis for children with high-risk relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is poor. Here, we assessed the prognostic importance of response during induction and consolidation treatment prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) aiming to evaluate the best time to assess minimal residual disease (MRD) for intervention strategies and in future trials in high-risk ALL relapse patients. Included patients (n=125) were treated uniformly according to the ALL-REZ BFM (Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster) 2002 relapse trial (median follow-up time=4.8 years). Patients with MRD ⩾10(-3) after induction treatment (76/119, 64%) or immediately preceding HSCT (19/71, 27%) had a significantly worse probability of disease-free survival 10 years after relapse treatment begin, with 26% (±6%) or 23% (±7%), respectively, compared with 58% (±8%) or 48% (±7%) for patients with MRD <10(-3). Conventional intensive consolidation treatment reduced MRD to <10(-3) before HSCT in 63% of patients, whereas MRD remained high or increased in the rest of this patient group. Our data support that MRD after induction treatment can be used to quantify the activity of different induction treatment strategies in phase II trials. MRD persistence at ⩾10(-3) before HSCT reflects a disease highly resistant to conventional intensive chemotherapy and requiring prospective controlled investigation of new treatment strategies and drugs.

Dendritic cell reconstitution is associated with relapse-free survival and acute GVHD severity in children after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

DCs are potent APCs and key regulators of innate and adaptive immunity. After allo-SCT, their reconstitution in the peripheral blood (PB) to levels similar to those in healthy individuals tends to be slow. We investigate the age- and sex-dependant immune reconstitution of myeloid (mDC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC) in the PB of 45 children with leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (aged 1-17 years, median 10) after allo-SCT with regard to relapse, acute GVHD (aGVHD) and relapse-free survival. Low pDC/µL PB up to day 60 post SCT are associated with higher incidence of moderate or severe aGVHD (P=0.035), whereas high pDC/µL PB up to day 60 are associated with higher risk of relapse (P<0.001). The time-trend of DCs/µL PB for days 0-200 is a significant predictor of relapse-free survival for both mDCs (P<0.001) and pDCs (P=0.020). Jointly modelling DC reconstitution and complications improves on these simple criteria. Compared with BM, PBSC transplants tend to show slower mDC/pDC reconstitution (P=0.001, 0.031, respectively), but have no direct effect on relapse-free survival. These results suggest an important role for both mDCs and pDCs in the reconstituting immune system. The inclusion of mDCs and pDCs may improve existing models for complication prediction following allo-SCT.

Children with relapsed or refractory nephroblastoma: favorable long-term survival after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: High-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with autologous stem-cell rescue (ASCR) is a treatment option for pediatric patients with relapsed nephroblastoma. We present long term results of 9 patients treated between 1993 and 2013 at our center. PROCEDURE: Reinduction therapy was carried out according to GPOH and SIOP recommendations. The conditioning regimen consisted of carboplatin (1 200 mg/m²), etoposide (800 mg/m² or 40 mg/kg) and melphalan (180 mg/m²). Purging of the grafts with immunomagnetic CD34 positive selection was performed in 5 patients. RESULTS: 8 of 9 Patients (90%) are alive without evidence of disease after a median follow-up of 8.5 years. Leukocyte engraftment occurred after a median of 10 days (range 8-12). Median numbers of 667/µl CD3+, 329/µl CD4+, 369/µl CD8+T cells and 949/µl B cells were reached after 180 days. No negative impact of CD34 selection was observed. No transplantation-related death occurred. Acute toxicity comprised mucositis III°-IV° in all and veno-occlusive disease in one patient. Long term effects probably related to treatment occurred in 3/7 evaluable patients and comprised hearing impairment, reduced renal phosphate reabsorption, mild creatinine elevation and hypothyroidism (n=1, each). CONCLUSION: Thus, in our experience HDC with ASCR is an effective treatment of recurrent or refractory nephroblastoma with acceptable side effects. However, a randomized trial proving its efficiency with a high level of evidence is needed.

High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with auto-SCT in children with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT): a report from the European Rhabdoid Registry (EU-RHAB).

A retrospective analysis of data from the European Rhabdoid Registry (EU-RHAB) was performed to describe the outcome of children with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) who underwent high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with auto-SCT. Nineteen patients (male, n=15; median age at diagnosis 21 months) were identified. Nine patients presented with metastatic disease at diagnosis. A partial or subtotal resection was achieved in 11, a total resection in five and a biopsy in three patients. Patients received a median of six chemotherapy cycles prior to HDCT. Additional radiotherapy was performed in 14 patients (first-line, n=9; following progression, n=5). Six patients underwent tandem auto-SCT. Disease status before HDCT was CR in six, PR in eight, stable disease in two and progressive disease (PD) in two patients (data missing, n=1). With a median follow-up of 16 months, 14 patients progressed. Estimated progression-free and OS at 2 years were 29% (±11%) and 50% (±12%), respectively. At last follow-up, eight patients were alive (first CR, n=4; second CR, n=2; PR, n=1; PD, n=1). Eleven patients died of PD. Median time-to-progression was 14 months. Selected patients with AT/RT might benefit from HDCT with radiotherapy. The definitive impact of this treatment modality has to be evaluated prospectively in a randomized trial.

Myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells: reference ranges in the peripheral blood of healthy children.

To date, few publications report on dendritic cells values in healthy children and mostly are found as control groups in studies focused on either allergic and autoimmune diseases or malignancies. This report provides an overview of 8 publications regarding absolute dendritic cells quantification in the peripheral blood of healthy children by using minimum manipulated samples processed within 24 hours.

Risk of angioedema following invasive or surgical procedures in HAE type I and II--the natural history.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE), caused by deficiency in C1-inhibitor (C1-INH), leads to unpredictable edema of subcutaneous tissues with potentially fatal complications. As surgery can be a trigger for edema episodes, current guidelines recommend preoperative prophylaxis with C1-INH or attenuated androgens in patients with HAE undergoing surgery. However, the risk of an HAE attack in patients without prophylaxis has not been quantified. OBJECTIVES: This analysis examined rates of perioperative edema in patients with HAE not receiving prophylaxis. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of records of randomly selected patients with HAE type I or II treated at the Frankfurt Comprehensive Care Centre. These were examined for information about surgical procedures and the presence of perioperative angioedema. RESULTS: A total of 331 patients were included; 247 underwent 700 invasive procedures. Of these procedures, 335 were conducted in 144 patients who had not received prophylaxis at the time of surgery. Categories representing significant numbers of procedures were abdominal (n = 113), ENT (n = 71), and gynecological (n = 58) procedures. The rate of documented angioedema without prophylaxis across all procedures was 5.7%; in 24.8% of procedures, the presence of perioperative angioedema could not be excluded, leading to a maximum potential risk of 30.5%. Predictors of perioperative angioedema could not be identified. CONCLUSION: The risk of perioperative angioedema in patients with HAE type I or II without prophylaxis undergoing surgical procedures ranged from 5.7% to 30.5% (CI 3.5-35.7%). The unpredictability of HAE episodes supports current international treatment recommendations to consider short-term prophylaxis for all HAE patients undergoing surgery.

Response of children with stage IV soft tissue sarcoma to topotecan and carboplatin: a phase II window trial of the cooperative soft tissue sarcoma group.

To investigate antitumor activity and toxicity associated with combined topotecan and carboplatin treatment in children and adolescents with metastasized, untreated soft tissue sarcoma (STS).Patients (n=34) less than 21 years old and untreated, stage IV STS. Patients were treated with topotecan (1 mg/m²/d for 4 days) and carboplatin (150 mg/m²/d for 4 days) (TC course) during week 1 and 4 of a chemotherapy window trial, which was followed by chemotherapy and local therapy from week 6 on. We evaluated the side effects, toxicity and tumor response (using RECIST criteria) 6 weeks after starting the 2 TC chemotherapy courses.The objective response rate (ORR) was 38% (n=13 patients with a partial response (PR)), and a stable disease (SD) was reached in 11 cases. No patient showed a complete response (CR) of all metastatic lesions, although 1 patient showed a CR of the target lesion. 2 patients died of progress of disease (PD). Toxicity was mainly hematological (grade III/IV toxicity 79%), and nonhematological toxicities mainly included infection, fever, nausea,and vomiting. Regarding adverse events, 4 probable and 8 possible events related to study medication occurred among the 66 courses of TC.In conclusion, TC was potent against high-risk STS, but results and toxicity data were not superior to former published monotherapeutic topotecan therapies.

Stem cell transplantation.

Stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients with leukemia has been a matter of debate since the first successful transplantation in a child with aplastic anemia in Germany in 1975. Since then, there has been a long way to implement fully stem cell transplantation strategies into the treatment studies organized within BFM Groups for first line or second line treatment of acute and chronic leukemias and myelodysplastic syndrome. The role of different risk groups, different donors, stem cell sources and alternative approaches as haploidentical transplantation as well have been studied as the impact of chimerism and minimal residual disease. Finally, for all leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes integrated treatment pathways have been developed, which integrate stem cell transplantation on an evidence base into the treatment of the patient.