Proteomics screening after pediatric allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation reveals an association between increased expression of inhibitory receptor FCRL6 on γδ T cells and cytomegalovirus reactivation.

We studied the associations between inflammation-related proteins in circulation and complications after pediatric allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), to reveal proteomic signatures or individual soluble proteins associated with specific complications after HSCT. We used a proteomics method called Proximity Extension Assay to repeatedly measure 180 different proteins together with clinical variables, cellular immune reconstitution and blood viral copy numbers in 27 children (1-18 years of age) during a 2-year follow-up after allogenic HSCT. Protein profile analysis was performed using unsupervised hierarchical clustering and a regression-based method, while the Bonferroni-corrected Mann-Whitney U-test was used for time point-specific comparison of individual proteins against outcome. At 6 months after allogenic HSCT, we could identify a protein profile pattern associated with occurrence of the complications such as chronic graft-versus-host disease, viral infections, relapse and death. When protein markers were analyzed separately, the plasma concentration of the inhibitory and cytotoxic T-cell surface protein FCRL6 (Fc receptor-like 6) was higher in patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia [log2-fold change 1.5 (P = 0.00099), 2.5 (P = 0.00035) and 2.2 (P = 0.045) at time points 6, 12 and 24 months]. Flow cytometry confirmed that FCRL6 expression was higher in innate-like γδ T cells, indicating that these cells are involved in controlling CMV reactivation in HSCT recipients. In conclusion, the potentially druggable FCRL6 receptor on cytotoxic T cells appears to have a role in controlling CMV viremia after HSCT. Furthermore, our results suggest that system-level analysis is a useful addition to the studying of single biomarkers in allogenic HSCT.

Income disparities between adult childhood cancer survivors and their peers-A register-based cohort study from the SALiCCS research programme.

BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer survivors face various adverse consequences. This Nordic register-based cohort study aimed to assess whether survivors of childhood cancer are more likely to have low income than their peers. METHODS: We identified 17,392 childhood cancer survivors diagnosed at ages 0 to 19 between 1971 and 2009 with 83,221 age-, sex-, and country-matched population comparisons. Annual disposable income at ages 20 to 50 years was retrieved from statistical offices (for 1990-2017) and categorized into low income and middle/high income. The number of transitions between income categories were assessed using binomial regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of annual low income among childhood cancer survivors was 18.1% and 15.6% among population comparisons (risk ratio [RR] 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.18). Compared to population comparisons, childhood cancer survivors were 10% (95% CI 8%-11%) less likely to transition from low to middle/high income and 12% (10%-15%) more likely to transition from middle/high to low income during follow-up. Among those initially in the low income category, survivors were 7% (95% CI 3%-11%) more likely to remain in the low income category. If the initial category was middle/high income, childhood cancer survivors were 10% (95% CI 8%-11%) less likely to remain in the middle/high income and 45% (37%-53%) more likely to transition to the low income category permanently. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood cancer survivors are at higher risk for low income in adulthood than their peers. These disparities might be reduced by continued career counseling along with support in managing within the social security system.

Cardiovascular morbidity following conventional therapy versus allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after childhood, adolescent, and young adult leukemia in Finland.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) represents a therapeutic choice for high-risk and relapsed leukemia at a young age. In this retrospective population-based study, we evaluated cardiovascular complications after aHSCT (N = 272) vs conventional therapy (N = 1098) among patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic or acute myeloid leukemia below 35 years between 1985 and 2004. Additionally, siblings from a prior comparison group served as population controls (N = 39 217). Childhood leukemia and aHSCT was associated with a 16-fold HR for developing arterial hypertension (HR 16.8, 95%CI 1.5-185.5) compared with conventional therapy. A 2-fold HR for any cardiovascular complication was observed after AYA leukemia and aHSCT vs conventional treatment (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4-5.1). After AYA leukemia and aHSCT, the HR of cardiac arrhythmia was significantly elevated vs conventional therapy (HR 14.4, 95% CI 1.5-125.2). Moreover, after aHSCT in childhood, elevated hazard ratios (HRs) were found for cardiomyopathy/ cardiac insufficiency (HR 105.0, 95% CI 10.0-1100.0), cardiac arrhythmia, and arterial hypertension (HR 20.1, 95%CI 2.5-159.7 and HR 20.0, 95%CI 4.1-97.4) compared with healthy controls. After adolescent and young adult (AYA) leukemia and aHSCT, markedly increased HRs were observed for cardiac arrhythmia (HR 29.2, 95%CI 6.6-129.2), brain vascular thrombosis/ atherosclerosis and cardiomyopathy/cardiac insufficiency (HR 23.4, 95%CI 7.1-77.4 and HR 19.2, 95%CI 1.5-245.2) compared with healthy controls. As the cumulative incidence for cardiovascular complications rose during the follow-up of childhood and AYA leukemia patients, long-term cardiovascular surveillance is warranted to optimize the quality of life after childhood and AYA leukemia following both conventional treatment and aHSCT.

Sleep-related breathing disorder in non-infectious pulmonary complications after pediatric allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Chronic lung problems are a rare but serious complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We studied clinical phenotypes and polysomnography appearance of breathing abnormality in late onset non-infectious pulmonary complications (NIPS). METHODS: We reviewed Finnish national reference database between the years 1999 and 2016. We identified 12 children with most severely decreased pulmonary function and performed polysomnography and 24 aged-matched controls out of 325 performed pediatric allogeneic HSCTs. RESULTS: All patients with NIPS had severely decreased pulmonary function already at 6 months post HSCT with median FEV1 value 42% (interquartile range (IQR) 30-52%) of predicted normal values. Seven children had obstructive and five children more restrictive lung function. Children with obstructive lung function showed laborious breathing (7/7), decreased oxygenation and ventilation-to-perfusion mismatch (6/7), or REM-sleep-related hypoventilation (4/7) on polysomnography. Children with restrictive lung function (5/12) did not show sleep-related breathing disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Children going through allogeneic HSCT who develop severe chronic obstructive lung function are more likely to present with sleep-related hypoxia and hypoventilation than children with restrictive lung function. IMPACT: Children with severe obstructive lung function and chronic lung graft-versus-host disease following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are more likely to present with sleep-related mild hypoxia and hypoventilation than children with restrictive lung disease. To our knowledge there are no reports on sleep-related breathing disorders and ventilatory function measured by polysomnography in children with pulmonary complications after allogeneic HSCT. Polysomnography may add to the differential diagnostics between patients with BOS and other non-infectious pulmonary complications.

Monogenic early-onset lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity: Natural history of STAT3 gain-of-function syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In 2014, germline signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 gain-of-function (GOF) mutations were first described to cause a novel multisystem disease of early-onset lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity. OBJECTIVE: This pivotal cohort study defines the scope, natural history, treatment, and overall survival of a large global cohort of patients with pathogenic STAT3 GOF variants. METHODS: We identified 191 patients from 33 countries with 72 unique mutations. Inclusion criteria included symptoms of immune dysregulation and a biochemically confirmed germline heterozygous GOF variant in STAT3. RESULTS: Overall survival was 88%, median age at onset of symptoms was 2.3 years, and median age at diagnosis was 12 years. Immune dysregulatory features were present in all patients: lymphoproliferation was the most common manifestation (73%); increased frequencies of double-negative (CD4-CD8-) T cells were found in 83% of patients tested. Autoimmune cytopenias were the second most common clinical manifestation (67%), followed by growth delay, enteropathy, skin disease, pulmonary disease, endocrinopathy, arthritis, autoimmune hepatitis, neurologic disease, vasculopathy, renal disease, and malignancy. Infections were reported in 72% of the cohort. A cellular and humoral immunodeficiency was observed in 37% and 51% of patients, respectively. Clinical symptoms dramatically improved in patients treated with JAK inhibitors, while a variety of other immunomodulatory treatment modalities were less efficacious. Thus far, 23 patients have undergone bone marrow transplantation, with a 62% survival rate. CONCLUSION: STAT3 GOF patients present with a wide array of immune-mediated disease including lymphoproliferation, autoimmune cytopenias, and multisystem autoimmunity. Patient care tends to be siloed, without a clear treatment strategy. Thus, early identification and prompt treatment implementation are lifesaving for STAT3 GOF syndrome.

Sexually transmitted diseases in cancer patients diagnosed under the age of 20 years - a national registry-based cohort study from Finland.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents with chronic diseases are shown to be vulnerable for risky sexual behavior. Childhood cancer patients seem to engage in risky health behaviors as frequently as general population, but little is known about sexual issues in this group of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We characterized the risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in a Finnish population-based cohort of over 6,000 childhood cancer patients diagnosed with cancer under the age of 20 years between 1971 and 2009, compared with over 30,000 age- and sex -matched population comparisons. The data were constructed through linkage between national cancer, population, infectious diseases, and hospital discharge registries. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Cox regression modeling with attained age as the underlying time scale. RESULTS: Childhood cancer patients had a decreased risk for having an infection with chlamydia, the most common STD in our cohort, when comparing with population comparisons (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69-0.86). The risk was lowest among male patients (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.53-0.79) and patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.33-0.63). The overall risk for cervical dysplasia was slightly increased among female cancer patients when compared with their population comparisons (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02-1.60). Greatest risk elevation was found among patients diagnosed with cancer in ages 10-14 years (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.46-3.65) and patients with lymphoma (HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.20-3.16). The risk for all explored outcomes seemed to be decreased among patients with CNS tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the importance of integrating sexual issues as a part of psychosocial support and having a systematic transition program in the follow-up care of childhood cancer patients.

Lymphomas in cartilage-hair hypoplasia - A case series of 16 patients reveals advanced stage DLBCL as the most common form.

Background: Patients with cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH) have an increased risk of malignancy, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma and basal cell carcinoma. The characteristics, clinical course, response to therapy and outcome of lymphomas in CHH remains unexplored. Methods: We assessed clinical features of lymphoma cases among Finnish patients with CHH. Data were collected from the Finnish Cancer Registry, hospital records, the National Medical Databases and Cause-of-Death Registry of Statistics Finland. Results: Among the 160 CHH patients, 16 (6 men, 10 women) were diagnosed with lymphoma during 1953-2016. Lymphoma was diagnosed in young adulthood (median age 26.4 years, range from 6.4 to 69.5 years), mostly in advanced stage. The most common lymphoma type was diffuse large cell B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (6/16, 38%). Eight patients received chemotherapy (8/16, 50%), and two of them survived. Standard lymphoma chemotherapy regimens were administered in the majority of cases. Altogether, eleven CHH patients died due to lymphomas (11/16, 69%). In almost all surviving lymphoma patients, the diagnosis was made either during routine follow-up or after evaluation for non-specific mild symptoms. Search for CHH-related clinical predictors demonstrated higher prevalence of recurrent respiratory infections, in particular otitis media, and Hirschsprung disease in patients with lymphoma. However, three patients had no clinical signs of immunodeficiency prior to lymphoma diagnosis. Conclusion: DLBCL is the most common type of lymphoma in CHH. The outcome is poor probably due to advanced stage of lymphoma at the time of diagnosis. Other CHH-related manifestations poorly predicted lymphoma development, implying that all CHH patients should be regularly screened for malignancy.

Acute central nervous system toxicity during treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: phenotypes, risk factors and genotypes.

Central nervous system (CNS) toxicity is common at diagnosis and during treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We studied CNS toxicity in 1,464 children aged 1.0-17.9 years, diagnosed with ALL and treated according to the Nordic Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology ALL2008 protocol. Genome-wide association studies, and a candidate single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; n=19) study were performed in 1,166 patients. Findings were validated in an independent Australian cohort of children with ALL (n=797) in whom two phenotypes were evaluated: diverse CNS toxicities (n=103) and methotrexate-related CNS toxicity (n=48). In total, 135/1,464 (9.2%) patients experienced CNS toxicity for a cumulative incidence of 8.7% (95% confidence interval: 7.31-10.20) at 12 months from diagnosis. Patients aged ≥10 years had a higher risk of CNS toxicity than had younger patients (16.3% vs. 7.4%; P<0.001). The most common CNS toxicities were posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (n=52, 43 with seizures), sinus venous thrombosis (n=28, 9 with seizures), and isolated seizures (n=16). The most significant SNP identified by the genome-wide association studies did not reach genomic significance (lowest P-value: 1.11x10-6), but several were annotated in genes regulating neuronal functions. In candidate SNP analysis, ATXN1 rs68082256, related to epilepsy, was associated with seizures in patients <10 years (P=0.01). ATXN1 rs68082256 was validated in the Australian cohort with diverse CNS toxicities (P=0.04). The role of ATXN1 as well as the novel SNP in neurotoxicity in pediatric ALL should be further explored.

Flow cytometric analysis of cerebrospinal fluid improves detection of leukaemic blasts in infants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Infants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) have a high frequency of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Flow cytometric analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was recently demonstrated to be a sensitive method for detecting CNS involvement in childhood ALL. In the present study, CSF from 14 infants was collected at routine lumbar punctures and analysed by multicolour flow cytometry. At initial diagnosis, leukaemic blasts were detected in CSF by flow cytometry in 11 patients (78·6%) compared to seven patients (50%) by cytospin. Larger studies are needed to determine if CSF flow cytometry has prognostic value in infant ALL.

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Cures Adenosine Deaminase 2 Deficiency: Report on 30 Patients.

PURPOSE: Deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) is an inherited inborn error of immunity, characterized by autoinflammation (recurrent fever), vasculopathy (livedo racemosa, polyarteritis nodosa, lacunar ischemic strokes, and intracranial hemorrhages), immunodeficiency, lymphoproliferation, immune cytopenias, and bone marrow failure (BMF). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) blockade is the treatment of choice for the vasculopathy, but often fails to reverse refractory cytopenia. We aimed to study the outcome of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with DADA2. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on the outcome of HCT in patients with DADA2. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Thirty DADA2 patients from 12 countries received a total of 38 HCTs. The indications for HCT were BMF, immune cytopenia, malignancy, or immunodeficiency. Median age at HCT was 9 years (range: 2-28 years). The conditioning regimens for the final transplants were myeloablative (n = 20), reduced intensity (n = 8), or non-myeloablative (n = 2). Donors were HLA-matched related (n = 4), HLA-matched unrelated (n = 16), HLA-haploidentical (n = 2), or HLA-mismatched unrelated (n = 8). After a median follow-up of 2 years (range: 0.5-16 years), 2-year OS was 97%, and 2-year GvHD-free relapse-free survival was 73%. The hematological and immunological phenotypes resolved, and there were no new vascular events. Plasma ADA2 enzyme activity normalized in 16/17 patients tested. Six patients required more than one HCT. CONCLUSION: HCT was an effective treatment for DADA2, successfully reversing the refractory cytopenia, as well as the vasculopathy and immunodeficiency. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: HCT is a definitive cure for DADA2 with > 95% survival.

RhoG deficiency abrogates cytotoxicity of human lymphocytes and causes hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Exocytosis of cytotoxic granules (CG) by lymphocytes is required for the elimination of infected and malignant cells. Impairments in this process underly a group of diseases with dramatic hyperferritinemic inflammation termed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Although genetic and functional studies of HLH have identified proteins controlling distinct steps of CG exocytosis, the molecular mechanisms that spatiotemporally coordinate CG release remain partially elusive. We studied a patient exhibiting characteristic clinical features of HLH associated with markedly impaired cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cell exocytosis functions, who beared biallelic deleterious mutations in the gene encoding the small GTPase RhoG. Experimental ablation of RHOG in a model cell line and primary CTLs from healthy individuals uncovered a hitherto unappreciated role of RhoG in retaining CGs in the vicinity of the plasma membrane (PM), a fundamental prerequisite for CG exocytotic release. We discovered that RhoG engages in a protein-protein interaction with Munc13-4, an exocytosis protein essential for CG fusion with the PM. We show that this interaction is critical for docking of Munc13-4+ CGs to the PM and subsequent membrane fusion and release of CG content. Thus, our study illuminates RhoG as a novel essential regulator of human lymphocyte cytotoxicity and provides the molecular pathomechanism behind the identified here and previously unreported genetically determined form of HLH.

TPMT polymorphisms and minimal residual disease after 6-mercaptopurine post-remission consolidation therapy of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Bone marrow minimal residual disease (MRD) is the strongest predictor of relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) in ALL therapy has wide inter-individual variation in disposition and is strongly influenced by polymorphisms in the thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) gene. In 952 patients treated according to the NOPHO ALL2008 protocol, we explored the association between thiopurine disposition, TPMT genotypes and MRD levels after consolidation therapy with 6MP, high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX), asparaginase, and vincristine. The levels of the cytotoxic DNA-incorporated thioguanine were significantly higher on day 70-79 in G460A/A719G TPMT heterozygous (TPMTHZ) compared to TPMT wild type (TPMTWT) patients (mean: 230.7 vs. 149.7 fmol/µg DNA, p = 0.002). In contrast, TPMT genotype did not associate with the end of consolidation MRD levels irrespective of randomization of the patients to fixed dose (25 mg/m2/day) or 6MP escalation (up to 50 or 75 mg/m2/day) during consolidation therapy.

Use of letermovir in off-label indications: Infectious Diseases Working Party of European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation retrospective study.

Letermovir (LMV) is licensed for prophylaxis of CMV infection in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant adult CMV-seropositive patients. Due to its favorable safety profile, LMV brings potential for use in other clinical situations, outside the approved indication. The objective of the study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of the use of LMV in off-label indications in EBMT centers. A total of 49 patients were reported including 44 adults and 5 children. LMV was administered for: secondary prophylaxis (37 adults, 3 children), primary prophylaxis (2 children), pre-emptive treatment (5 adults), and therapy of CMV disease (2 adults; pneumonia, colitis). Cyclosporine was concomitantly used in 26 patients. Overall, LMV was used for a median 112 days (range: 10-473). Cumulative incidence of breakthrough infections during secondary prophylaxis was 10.1% (95% CI = 3.1-21.9). Prophylactic treatment with LMV resulted in 94.9% (95% CI = 81.0-98.7), and 81.9% (95% CI = 65.7-90.9) probability of, respectively, 60 and 120-day survival without CMV infection in patients receiving secondary prophylaxis. During therapy of CMV infection/disease, probability of 60 and 120-day overall survival was 100% and 71.4% (95% CI = 25.8-92.0), respectively. No breakthrough infection occurred in children on LMV prophylaxis. Adverse events were reported in 15/49 (30.4%) patients: the most common being nausea/vomiting (22.4%). In conclusion, the efficacy of the use of LMV as secondary prophylaxis was high, and the preliminary experience with the use of LMV for the treatment of patients with refractory CMV infection/disease was positive. Our data showed that higher dose or prolonged therapy did not result in increased rate of adverse events.

Iron overload after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Red blood cell transfusions are an essential part of supporting care in leukemia treatment. We examined the prevalence of iron overload and its effects on organ function and childhood growth in pediatric patients after allogeneic HSCT for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Twenty-three patients were included (median age 12.6, range 7.5-21.4 years). Body iron load was determined using laboratory tests, hepatic and cardiac MRI, and by calculating iron received from transfusions. We performed multivariate analysis to determine association of body iron load with liver enzymes, cardiac function, insulin resistance, and growth. Median plasma ferritin was 344 (range 40-3235) ng/mL and exceeded 1000 ng/mL in three patients (13%). In MRI, 11 patients (48%) had hepatic iron overload and 1 patient (4%) myocardial iron overload. In cardiac MRI, 8 patients (35%) had significant but subclinical decrease in ejection fraction (median z-score -1.7, range -3.1-0.14), but cardiac function did not associate with iron status. Alanine transaminase associated with transfused iron per time unit (P = .001) after the median follow-up of 4.5 years. No correlation was found between iron load and growth or insulin resistance. Iron overload is common in children transplanted for ALL, but iron overload associated organ dysfunction is not present at early age. We recommend evaluation of iron load for all patients at least once during follow-up after transplantation.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation in chronic granulomatous disease: a study of 712 children and adults.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency resulting in life-threatening infections and inflammatory complications. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) can cure the disease, but the indication to transplant remains controversial. We performed a retrospective multicenter study of 712 patients with CGD who underwent allo-HCT transplantation from March 1993 through December 2018. We studied 635 children (aged <18 years) and 77 adults. Median follow-up was 45 months. Median age at transplantation was 7 years (range, 0.1-48.6). Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) at 3 years were 85.7% and 75.8%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, older age was associated with reduced survival and increased chronic graft-versus-host disease. Nevertheless, OS and EFS at 3 years for patients ≥18 years were 76% and 69%, respectively. Use of 1-antigen-mismatched donors was associated with reduced OS and EFS . No significant difference was found in OS, but a significantly reduced EFS was noted in the small group of patients who received a transplant from a donor with a >1 antigen mismatch. Choice of conditioning regimen did not influence OS or EFS. In summary, we report an excellent outcome after allo-HCT in CGD, with low incidence of graft failure and mortality in all ages. Older patients and recipients of 1-antigen-mismatched grafts had a less favorable outcome. Transplantation should be strongly considered at a younger age and particularly in the presence of a well-matched donor.

Immunodeficiency in cartilage-hair hypoplasia: Pathogenesis, clinical course and management.

Cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH) is an autosomal recessive syndromic immunodeficiency with skeletal dysplasia, short stature, hypotrichosis, variable degree of immune dysfunction and increased incidence of anaemia, Hirschsprung disease and malignancy. CHH is caused by variants in the RMRP gene, encoding the untranslated RNA molecule of the mitochondrial RNA-processing endoribonuclease, which participates in for example cell cycle regulation and telomere maintenance. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of the complex pathogenesis of CHH. Immune dysfunction has a major impact on clinical course and prognosis. Clinical features of immune dysfunction are highly variable, progressive and include infections, lung disease, immune dysregulation and malignancy. Mortality is increased compared with the general population, due to infections, malignancy and pulmonary disease. Several risk factors for early mortality have been reported in the Finnish CHH cohort and can be used to guide management. Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency can possibly be of prognostic value in CHH. Regular follow-up by a multidisciplinary team should be implemented to address immune dysfunction in all patients with CHH, also in asymptomatic cases. Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation can cure immune dysfunction, but its benefits in mildly symptomatic patients with CHH remain debatable. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind the variability of clinical features, to search for potential molecular treatment targets, to examine and validate risk factors for early mortality outside the Finnish CHH cohort and to develop management guidelines. This review focuses on the pathogenesis, clinical course and management of CHH.

Seizures during treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Seizures are common in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). As ALL survival rates are improving, the challenge to minimize treatment related side effects and late sequelae rises. Here, we studied the frequency, timing, etiology and risk factors of seizures in ALL patients. METHODS: The study included children aged 1-17.9 years at diagnosis of B-cell-precursor and T cell ALL who were treated according to the Nordic Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (NOPHO) ALL2008 protocol between 2008 and 2015. Detailed patient data were acquired from the NOPHO ALL2008 registry and by review of medical records. RESULTS: Seizures occurred in 81/1464 (5.5%) patients. The cumulative incidence of seizures at one months was 1.7% (95% CI: 1.2-2.5) and at one year 5.3% (95% CI 4.2-6.5%). Patients aged 10-17.9 years, those with T cell immunophenotype, CNS involvement, or high-risk induction with dexamethasone had higher risk for seizures in univariable analyses. Only age remained a risk factor in multivariable analyses (the cumulative incidence of seizures for patients 10-17.9 years old at one year was 9.0% (95% CI: 6.2-12.9)). Of the 81 patients with seizures, 43 had posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), 15 had isolated seizures, nine had sinus venous thrombosis (SVT), three had stroke-like syndrome, and 11 had other neurotoxicities. Epilepsy diagnosis was reported in totally 11 ALL survivors at last follow up. CONCLUSION: Seizures are relatively common in ALL patients and occur most often in patients with PRES, SVT, or as an isolated symptom. Older children have higher risk of seizures.