Pirarubicin Combination Low-Dose Chemotherapy for Early Infantile Stage MS Neuroblastoma: Case Report.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a neural crest-derived malignant tumor which is diagnosed during infancy in approximately 40% of cases; spontaneous regressions are observed, but there are varying degrees of severity. Treatment is indicated if an infant's condition is at risk of deterioration. Herein, we report the case of a 42-day-old boy who presented with hepatomegaly and was diagnosed with stage MS NB. A pathological diagnosis of "poorly differentiated neuroblastoma with low mitosis-karyorrhexis index, favorable histology" was made; his tumor cells were hyperdiploid and MYCN was not amplified. Because he had respiratory distress caused by the rapidly evolving hepatomegaly, two cycles of chemotherapy containing vincristine and cyclophosphamide were administered in the second and fourth weeks of admission; however, his abdominal tumor did not shrink. In the sixth week of admission, chemotherapy was revised to pirarubicin and cyclophosphamide, and the tumor began to shrink. After discharge, there was no re-elevation of tumor markers; after 1 year, the hepatomegaly and liver metastases disappeared. During the 5-year follow-up, his growth and development were normal and he progressed without sequelae. A regimen that includes pirarubicin could merit further study in the treatment of early infants with stage MS low-risk NB who are at risk of complications.

Generation of two human induced pluripotent stem cell lines derived from two juvenile nephronophthisis patients with NPHP1 deletion.

Juvenile nephronophthisis is an inherited renal ciliopathy, causing cystic kidney disease, renal fibrosis, and end-stage renal failure. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines, derived from two Juvenile nephronophthisis patients, were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by episomal plasmid vectors. Generated hiPSC lines showed self-renewal and pluripotency and carried a large deletion in NPHP1 (Nephrocystin 1) gene. Since the molecular pathogenesis caused by NPHP1 dysfunction remains unclear, these cell resources provide useful tools to establish disease models and to develop new therapies for juvenile nephronophthisis.

Early tonsillectomy for severe immunoglobulin A nephropathy significantly reduces proteinuria.

BACKGROUND: Early multiple-drug therapy for severe childhood immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy prevents the progression of nephritis and improves the long-term prognosis. Recent studies have focused on the relationship between the pathophysiology of IgA nephropathy and tonsillar focal infection, and the efficacy of tonsillectomy with methylprednisolone pulse therapy in children has been demonstrated. However, no study has reported on the relationship between the period from diagnosis to tonsillectomy and the long-term prognosis of IgA nephropathy. METHODS: To clarify the long-term effects of an early tonsillectomy, 40 patients who were diagnosed with severe IgA nephropathy in childhood and underwent a tonsillectomy were divided into two groups based on the period from diagnosis to undergoing tonsillectomy: Group A, less than 3 years; and Group B, more than 3 years. The primary endpoint of this study was the change in the amount of proteinuria. Renal prognosis was evaluated 10 years after the diagnosis. RESULTS: This study enrolled 40 patients diagnosed with severe IgA nephropathy in childhood who underwent tonsillectomy after multiple-drug therapy with/without methylprednisolone pulse therapy at Kindai University Hospital; eight patients were excluded based on the exclusion criteria. Group A consisted of 18 patients and Group B, 14 patients. Proteinuria and hematuria levels were significantly reduced in the early surgery group (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found in serum creatinine, uric acid, and IgA/C3 ratio. CONCLUSIONS: High proteinuria levels worsen the renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy. Tonsillectomy in less than 3 years combined with multiple-drug therapy after the initial diagnosis could improve long-term prognosis.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis related to a streptococcal infection in a girl with IgA deficiency: a case report.

BACKGROUND: IgA deficiency associated with glomerulonephritis is rare. In particular, there is no prior report regarding the association between IgA deficiency and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) in children. Herein, we describe the case of a 5-year-old girl with selective IgA deficiency and MPGN. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient presented with persisting urinary abnormality and hypocomplementemia following a group A treptococcal infection. Renal biopsy revealed the presence of diffuse mesangial hypercellularity, endocapillary proliferation, and focal thickening of the walls of the glomerular capillaries using light microscopy, with IgG and moderate C3 deposits observed using immunofluorescence. Electron microscopy images revealed nodular deposits in the subendothelial areas, with hump-shaped subepithelial deposits. The pathological diagnosis was confirmed as MPGN. Treatment using oral prednisolone (PSL), mizoribine (MZR), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors reduced the proteinuria. The PSL dose was gradually tapered, with the low dose of PSL and MZR continued for 4 years. Histological findings were improved on repeated renal biopsy, and PSL and MZR administration was discontinued. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare case of MPGN related to a streptococcal infection in a child. The clinical presentation included selective IgAD, with several pathological findings and a clinical course typical of glomerulopathy. The patient was successfully treated using multidrug therapy.

An 18-Year-Old Male With X-linked Lymphoproliferative Syndrome Type 1 Who Developed Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma 6 Months After Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection.

X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1 (XLP1) is a rare congenital immunodeficiency disease. We report the case of an 18-year-old male who developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) with neurologic complications after primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and subsequently developed EBV-related central nervous system lymphoma (CNSL). Given the vulnerability to EBV, he was finally diagnosed with XLP1 and treated with whole-brain irradiation along with chemotherapy and subsequent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a SH2D1A wild-type sibling donor. Although the prognosis for CNSL is generally dismal, reconstitution of the immune system from a normal donor contributed to the patient remaining in remission for 30 months.

Impact of sirolimus treatment for refractory kaposiform hemangioendothelioma with exacerbation of the disease 10 years after initial diagnosis.

We describe our experience with a 12 year-old girl with kaposiform hemangioendothelioma accompanied by Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon with exacerbation of the disease 10 years after the initial diagnosis. Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma infiltrated into the subcutaneous tissue of the facial skin with deterioration of coagulopathy despite conventional therapies including corticosteroid, vincristine, and propranolol. Sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, produced rapid and dramatic improvement of the Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon and kaposiform hemangioendothelioma shrinkage. Eventually, multifocal lesions of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma disappeared on the images of magnetic resonance imaging and have remained in remission for 27 months after sirolimus cessation. We demonstrated that the AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway played a pivotal role in the kaposiform hemangioendothelioma growth. Sirolimus must be a strong candidate for molecular therapy targeting kaposiform hemangioendothelioma.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with Rosai-Dorfman disease.

Rosai-Dorfman disease is also known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy. Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease has been reported in ~ 43% of cases; the most frequent extranodal sites - skin, soft tissue, bone, respiratory tract, and eye - are usually involved in association with lymphadenopathy. Lack of lymph node involvement is rare, especially when patients manifest renal disease. Here, we describe a patient who developed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis when lymphadenopathy was absent. During follow-up for sinus histiocytosis, a 7-year-old Japanese boy developed proteinuria and hematuria. No renal abnormality was present in ultrasound imaging. Histologic examination of a renal biopsy specimen disclosed moderate mesangial proliferation, focal thickening of glomerular capillary walls, and mesangial interposition. Mononuclear cells infiltrated the interstitium. Immunofluorescence showed intense IgG, C3, and C4 reactivity in portions of the mesangium and glomerular capillary walls. Electron microscopy depicted nodular deposits in mesangial, endocapillary, and subepithelial areas. Immunohistochemistry for S-100 protein, CD68, and lysozyme was positive within the interstitium. CD1a staining was absent. These findings were diagnostic for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Multidrug therapy, including methylprednisolone and mizoribine, improved urinary findings and induced complete remission of both diseases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Rosai-Dorfman disease complicated by renal disease in the absence of concurrent nodal involvement. Clinicians should be alert to this diagnostic possibility.

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome and prohibitin-2 gene polymorphism.

BACKGROUND: Patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) often also have allergic diseases. Abnormalities of Th2-derived cytokines and T-cell functions contribute to development of these diseases. On the other hand, imbalances between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants have been implicated in MCNS and progression of atopic dermatitis. ROS, produced mainly within mitochondria, subject cells to oxidative stress, while prohibitin 2 protects mitochondria by increasing tolerance to ROS. Additionally, podocin, a member of the slit diaphragm protein complex, contains PHB-like domain that serves as a signaling platform regulating podocyte function through associated transmembrane proteins. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Then, we performed exome sequencing analysis in five patients with frequently relapsing their MCNS associated with allergic disease and serum IgE concentrations of 2000 IU/L or higher. RESULTS: We detected a heterozygous prohibitin 2 polymorphism, c.873-3_873-2 delCA (rs111523336), in 1 patient. This mutation in exon 9 caused frameshifts in regions connected to splicing sites, where they could disrupt transcription of prohibitin 2. Frequency of this polymorphism in exon 9 is 7.3% among Japanese. Increase in peripheral blood ROS even MCNS remission state suggests the heterozygous prohibitin 2 variant may contribute to give more susceptibility towards the recurrence of MCNS as well as atopic skin disease. This increase may have progression of atopic dermatitis, which sometimes heralded. CONCLUSION: The prohibitin-2 polymorphism may reduce ROS tolerance in glomerular epithelium and led to high local exposure to ROS, increasing permeability of the glomerular basement membrane to result in proteinuria. Imbalance between ROS and antioxidants together with failure of signal transduction in the glomerular slit membrane caused by prohibitin 2 abnormality could have contributed to nephrotic syndrome in our patients. Prohibitin 2 analysis is needed in additional MCNS patients with concomitant allergic disease.

Liver fibrosis with hypereosinophilia causing transient abnormal myelopoiesis.

Transient abnormal myelopoesis is mostly self-resolving and has a good prognosis, but some patients subsequently die of liver fibrosis. We report the case of an infant with Down syndrome who developed life-threatening liver fibrosis at the same time as the blasts were about to disappear. This patient also had a marked increase in eosinophils, which were possibly harboring a GATA1 mutation and were expressing a high level of platelet-derived growth factor-B mRNA; these may have been involved in the development of liver fibrosis. Low-dose cytosine arabinoside therapy effectively treated both hypereosinophilia and liver fibrosis.

Heterozygous p.S811F RET gene mutation associated with renal agenesis, oligomeganephronia and total colonic aganglionosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Several shared common gene networks participate in development of interstinal ganglia and also nephron formation; the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor/Ret/glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor gene network is particularly important. CASE PRESENTATION: We encountered a patient with total colonic aganglionosis as well as right renal agenesis and oligomeganephronia. Gene analysis in this patient disclosed a heterozygous p.S811F mutation was in Ret gene exon 14, resulting in a substitution of phenylalanine for serine. The large side chain of phenylalanine obstructed the opening of the hydrophobic pocket of the Ret molecule causing interference with its interaction with adenosine triphosphate and consequent marked reduction in its enzyme activity. This could account for our patient's severe intestinal disease and renal dysplasia. We know of no previous reports of concomitant Hirschsprung's disease and oligomeganephronia. CONCLUSIONS: The patient's overall illness could be considered a novel Ret gene mutation syndrome.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of Japanese nephronophthisis patients.

BACKGROUND: Nephronophthisis (NPH) accounts for 4-5 % of end-stage renal disease occurring in childhood. METHOD: We investigated the clinical context and characteristics of renal and extrarenal symptoms, as well as the NPHP genes, in 35 Japanese patients with clinical and histologic features suggesting NPH. RESULTS: NPH occurred fairly uniformly throughout Japan irrespective of region or gender. In three families, NPH affected siblings. The median age of patients was 12.5 years. Renal abnormalities attributable to NPH discovered through mass screening, such as urine tests in school. However, NPH accounted for less than 50 % of children with abnormal findings, including incidentally discovered renal dysfunction during evaluation of extrarenal symptoms or during routine check-ups. Typical extrarenal manifestations leaded to discovery including anemia and delayed physical development. The urine often showed low gravity specific density and low molecular weight proteinuria. Frequent renal histologic findings included cystic dilation of tubules, mainly in the medulla, and irregularity of tubular basement membranes. Genetically abnormalities of NPHP1 were not common, with large deletions frequently noted. Compound heterozygotes showing single abnormalities in each of NPHP1, NPHP3, and NPHP4 were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings resemble those reported in Western populations.

[Childhood hypertension].

For accurate diagnosis of childhood hypertension, selection of appropriate manchette size according to the child age and the circumstantial size of upper limb is essentially important. In addition, except for the emergency case of hypertension, repeated measurement of blood pressure would be desirable in several weeks interval. Recently, childhood hypertension might be closely related to the abnormality of maternal gestational period caused by the strict diet and the maternal smoking. Developmental Origins of Health and Disease(DOHaD) theory is now highlighted in the pathogenesis of adulthood hypertension. To prevent hypertension of small-for-date baby in later phase of life, maternal education for child nursing should be conducted. In children, secondary hypertension caused by renal, endocrinologic, or malignant disease is predominant rather than idiopathic hypertension.

Clinical course of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia in the blast crisis phase treated by acute myeloid leukemia-oriented chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a mixed myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic disorder that occurs in early childhood. The clinical course of JMML is highly variable. A third of patients follow a relatively indolent course, although approximately 15% cases are thought to develop acute myeloid leukemia, referred to as blast crisis. The etiology and clinical characteristics of blast crisis remain unclear. We document the case of a 27-month-old boy who presented with hepatosplenomegaly, skin rash, and lymphadenopathy. An initial diagnosis of acute erythroid leukemia was made according to the French-American-British classification. Following estimation of hypersensitivity to GM-CSF and genetic analysis of PTPN11, he was diagnosed with JMML in the blast crisis phase. Although he had several poor prognostic factors, including monosomy 7 and high HbF percentage, he achieved partial remission after treatment with acute myeloid leukemia-oriented chemotherapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. He has been in complete remission for over 6 years.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis complicating IVIG therapy for X-linked agammaglobulinemia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) develop immune-complex induced diseases such as nephropathy only rarely, presumably because their immunoglobulin (Ig) G concentration is low. We encountered a patient with XLA who developed tubulointerstitial nephritis during treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). CASE PRESENTATION: A 20-year-old man was diagnosed with XLA 3 months after birth and subsequently received periodic γ-globulin replacement therapy. Renal dysfunction developed at 19 years of age in association with high urinary ß2-microglobulin (MG) concentrations. A renal biopsy specimen showed dense CD3-positive lymphocytic infiltration in the tubulointerstitium and tubular atrophy, while no IgG4-bearing cell infiltration was found. Fibrosclerosis and crescent formation were evident in some glomeruli. Fluorescent antibody staining demonstrated deposition of IgG and complement component C3 in tubular basement membranes. After pulse steroid therapy was initiated, urinary ß2-MG and serum creatinine concentrations improved. CONCLUSION: Neither drug reactions nor collagen disease were likely causes of tubular interstitial disorder in this patient. Although BK virus was ruled out, IgG in the γ-globulin preparation might have reacted with a pathogen present in the patient to form low-molecular-weight immune complexes that were deposited in the tubular basement membrane.

Childhood Cogan syndrome with aortitis and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis.

Cogan syndrome is a systemic disease manifesting interstitial keratitis, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and rotatory vertigo. Renal complications of this syndrome are very rare. We encountered an adolescent with Cogan syndrome complicated by aortitis and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis. At the age of 14, the patient showed proteinuria in a screening urinalysis at school and was found to lack a right radial pulse. Magnetic resonance angiography disclosed right subclavian artery stenosis. Examination of a renal biopsy specimen showed ANCA-positive crescentic glomerulonephritis. Steroid and immunosuppressant treatment improved renal function and histopathology, but repeated recurrences followed. At 18, the patient developed rotatory vertigo, a sense of ear fullness, and sensorineural hearing loss. The patient was diagnosed with Cogan syndrome. We know of no previous description of ANCA-positive crescentic glomerulonephritis in children with Cogan syndrome. Accordingly, evaluation of aortitis in childhood should include not only otolaryngologic and ophthalmologic examinations, but also periodic urine examination and renal function tests.

A novel OCRL1 mutation in a patient with the mild phenotype of Lowe syndrome.

Oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL, OMIM 309000), also known as Lowe syndrome, is a rare X-linked multisystem disorder characterized by congenital cataracts, mental retardation, and Fanconi syndrome of the kidney proximal tubules. Lowe syndrome is caused by mutations in the gene encoding a member of the inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase protein family (OCRL1) on chromosome Xq26.1. OCRL1 contains 24 exons and encodes a 105-kDa phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate 5-phosphatase. An OCRL1 isoform generated by alternative splicing is predominantly expressed in brain, and localizes to the trans-Golgi network, lysosomes, and endosomes. Impaired inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase activity elevates phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate levels that are required for vesicle trafficking within the Golgi apparatus, actin cytoskeleton remodeling closely associated with Golgi, and endosomal membrane trafficking. Accordingly, abnormalities in the actin cytoskeleton may influence the function of renal epithelial cells in patients with Lowe syndrome. OCRL1 mutations exist in about 95% of patients with Lowe syndrome, and new mutations occur in 32% affected males. We here describe a Japanese male with the mild phenotype of Lowe syndrome. Physical examination revealed mild congenital bilateral cataracts, mild mental disability, and short stature. Proteinuria was also mild with a high ß2-microglobulinuria level. Nucleotide sequence analysis identified a hemizygous mutation (T-to-C transition) at nucleotide 2039 in exon 18 that substitutes Ser (TCT) for Phe (TTT) at amino acid position 680. This missense mutation is located outside the known catalytic domain that is encoded by exons 4 through 15. The present patient carries a novel OCRL1 mutation that is helpful for genetic counseling.

Non-invasive renal artery embolization for renal dysplasia accompanied by hypertension.

Renovascular hypertension caused by renal dysplasia often is resistant to drug therapy. For a 14-year-old girl with such refractory hypertension, a non-invasive right renal ablation by embolization with anhydrous ethanol using a shepherd 's-crook' balloon catheter, was done. Blood pressure then rapidly normalized. Apart from mild fever after the procedure, no adverse effects occurred. In patients with mild renal artery stenosis and hypertension resistant to anti-hypertensive drug therapy, renal artery embolization may be a useful option.

Cyclosporin A may cause injury to undifferentiated glomeruli persisting in patients with Alport syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Alport syndrome (AS) is a renal disorder caused by a genetic abnormality of type IV collagen α3 and α4, or α5 genes and shows a poor prognosis. Since the defect of type IV collagen synthesis disturbs the maturation process of the glomerular capillary loop, residual immature glomeruli persist after birth. The therapeutic efficacy of cyclosporin A (CyA) for AS patients seems to be controversial. We recently noted that renal specimens obtained from a child with AS who was treated with CyA and then developed CyA nephropathy included an increased number of undifferentiated embryonic-type glomeruli. METHODS: We analyzed renal histologic and immunohistologic findings in children with AS who did (n = 3) or did not (n = 2) develop CyA-induced nephropathy despite appropriately low serum CyA concentrations (<100 ng/mL) being maintained over a period of 2 years. To discriminate embryonic-type from mature glomeruli, staining for type IV collagen α1, laminin ß1, and laminin ß2 accompanied by light microscopic observation were employed. Staining patterns were used to semiquantitatively assess glomerular immaturity (glomerular immaturity index, or GII). RESULTS: In initial biopsy specimens, residual embryonic-type glomeruli were observed in each patient. Patients with early-onset CyA nephropathy had a high GII (median value 2.91 vs 1.23 ± 0.62 normal kidney tissues). In the follow-up biopsy after CyA treatment, surviving embryonic-type, collapsing embryonic-type, and sclerotic glomeruli that had failed to differentiate were observed. Taken together, the number of these glomeruli essentially equaled the total number of embryonic-type glomeruli in specimens obtained before CyA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a need for caution in CyA therapy for patients with AS, even for a relatively short course of administration, because some patients may have an unexpected number of embryonic-type glomeruli that predispose to CyA nephropathy.

Appropriate modulation of autophagy sensitizes malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor cells to treatment with imatinib mesylate.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), very rare in childhood, is a highly aggressive soft-tissue tumor. We experienced a case of a 7-year-old boy with MPNST who was treated with imatinib mesylate (imatinib) after the identification of platelet-derived growth factor receptor expression in his tumor. We were unable to observe clinical benefits of imatinib in this patient. Therefore, cellular reactions of imatinib were investigated in vitro using 3 MPNST cell lines. Imatinib induced cytotoxicity in vitro with variable IC50 values (11.7 to >30 µM). Induction of apoptosis was not a pivotal mechanism in the inhibitory effects. We found that the treatment of MPNST cell lines with imatinib induced autophagy. Suppression of the initiation of autophagy by 3-methyladenine or small interfering RNA (siRNA) against beclin-1 attenuated the imatinib-mediated cytotoxicity. In contrast, blocking the formation of autophagosomes or the development of autolysosomes using siRNA against microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B, bafilomycin A1, chloroquine, or an MEK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) enhanced the imatinib-induced cytotoxicity in MPNST cells. Our data showed that the imatinib-mediated autophagy can function as a cytotoxic mechanism and that appropriate modulation of autophagy may sensitize MPNST cells to imatinib, which in turn may be a novel therapeutic strategy for MPNST.

Guillain-Barré syndrome and Crohn disease: a case report.

Development of both Crohn disease and Guillain-Barré syndrome likely involves autoimmunity associated with excessive inflammatory cytokines. We treated a girl who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome during the course of Crohn disease. Although high-dose γ-globulin therapy administered initially for Guillain-Barré syndrome was ineffective, plasmapheresis ameliorated her acute neuropathic symptoms. Crohn disease was managed with Salazopyrin administration and enteral feeding. Chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa caused by Crohn disease can allow presentation of microbial intestinal antigens normally hidden from the immune system. Such presentation could incite an extraintestinal immune response on the basis of molecular mimicry, leading to activation of systemic autoimmunity against the nervous system. Accordingly, concurrence of Guillain-Barré syndrome and Crohn disease in our patient appeared to result from shared autoimmune mechanisms and systemic and local increases in cytokine concentrations. The patient also developed erythema nodosum and gall stones, relatively common complications of Crohn disease. However, Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare.