Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 33
Filter
Add more filters

Country/Region as subject
Publication year range
1.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 70(7): e30365, 2023 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37073741

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Survival for children with metastatic hepatoblastoma (HB) remains suboptimal. We report the response rate and outcome of two courses of vincristine/irinotecan/temsirolimus (VIT) in children with high-risk (HR)/metastatic HB. PROCEDURES: Patients with newly diagnosed HB received HR window chemotherapy if they had metastatic disease or a serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level less than 100 ng/mL. Patients received vincristine (days 1 and 8), irinotecan (days 1-5), and temsirolimus (days 1 and 8). Cycles were repeated every 21 days. Responders had either a 30% decrease using RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) criteria OR a 90% (>1 log10 decline) AFP decline after two cycles. Responders received two additional cycles of VIT intermixed with six cycles of cisplatin/doxorubicin/5-fluorouracil/vincristine (C5VD). Nonresponders received six cycles of C5VD alone. RESULTS: Thirty-six eligible patients enrolled on study. The median age at enrollment was 27 months (range: 7-170). Seventeen of 36 patients were responders (RECIST and AFP = 3, RECIST only = 4, AFP only = 10). The median AFP at diagnosis was 222,648 ng/mL and the median AFP following two VIT cycles was 19,262 ng/mL. Three-year event-free survival was 47% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30%-62%), while overall survival was 67% (95% CI: 49%-80%). CONCLUSION: VIT did not achieve the study efficacy endpoint. Temsirolimus does not improve the response rate seen in patients treated with vincristine and irinotecan (VI) alone as part of the initial treatment regimen explored in this study. Additionally, AFP response may be a more sensitive predictor of disease response than RECIST in HB.


Subject(s)
Hepatoblastoma , Liver Neoplasms , Child , Humans , Hepatoblastoma/pathology , Irinotecan/therapeutic use , Vincristine , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , alpha-Fetoproteins , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome
2.
Cancer ; 128(5): 1057-1065, 2022 03 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34762296

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Children's Oncology Group (COG) adopted cisplatin, 5-flourouracil, and vincristine (C5V) as standard therapy after the INT-0098 legacy study showed statistically equivalent survival but less toxicity in comparison with cisplatin and doxorubicin. Subsequent experience demonstrated doxorubicin to be effective in patients with recurrent disease after C5V, and this suggested that it could be incorporated to intensify therapy for patients with advanced disease. METHODS: In this nonrandomized, phase 3 COG trial, the primary aim was to explore the feasibility and toxicity of a novel therapeutic cisplatin, 5-flourouracil, vincristine, and doxorubicin (C5VD) regimen with the addition of doxorubicin to C5V for patients considered to be at intermediate risk. Patients were eligible if they had unresectable, nonmetastatic disease. Patients with a complete resection at diagnosis and local pathologic evidence of small cell undifferentiated histology were also eligible for an assessment of feasibility. RESULTS: One hundred two evaluable patients enrolled between September 14, 2009, and March 12, 2012. Delivery of C5VD was feasible and tolerable: the mean percentages of the target doses delivered were 96% (95% CI, 94%-97%) for cisplatin, 96% (95% CI, 94%-97%) for 5-fluorouracil, 95% (95% CI, 93%-97%) for doxorubicin, and 90% (95% CI, 87%-93%) for vincristine. Toxicity was within expectations, with death as a first event in 1 patient. The most common adverse events were febrile neutropenia (n = 55 [54%]), infection (n = 48 [47%]), mucositis (n = 31 [30%]), hypokalemia (n = 39 [38%]), and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (n = 28 [27%]). The 5-year event-free and overall survival rates for the 93 patients who did not have complete resection at diagnosis were 88% (95% CI, 79%-93%) and 95% (95% CI, 87%-98%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of doxorubicin to the previous standard regimen of C5V is feasible, tolerable, and efficacious, and this suggests that C5VD is a good regimen for future clinical trials.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols , Hepatoblastoma , Liver Neoplasms , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Cisplatin/adverse effects , Doxorubicin/adverse effects , Feasibility Studies , Hepatoblastoma/drug therapy , Hepatoblastoma/pathology , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Treatment Outcome , Vincristine/adverse effects
3.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 67(9): e28421, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32603027

ABSTRACT

Primary malignant liver tumors are rare but all require surgical resection as part of therapy with curative intent. A minority of patients have resectable tumors at diagnosis. Chemotherapy has a therapeutic role in hepatoblastoma but only one-third of patients have resectable disease at diagnosis. Two children with hepatoblastoma and suboptimal responses to initial chemotherapy received therapy with transarterial radioembolization utilizing yttrium-90 (TARE-Y90) and had significant response leading to resection and remission. The role of TARE-Y90 needs to be studied further to define its use in primary pediatric liver neoplasms.


Subject(s)
Embolization, Therapeutic , Hepatoblastoma/therapy , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Yttrium Radioisotopes/administration & dosage , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male
4.
Cancer ; 123(12): 2360-2367, 2017 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28211941

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The identification of new therapies for high-risk (HR) hepatoblastoma is challenging. Children's Oncology Group study AHEP0731 included a HR stratum to explore the efficacy of novel agents. Herein, the authors report the response rate to the combination of vincristine (V) and irinotecan (I) and the outcome of patients with high-risk hepatoblastoma. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed metastatic hepatoblastoma or those with a serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) level <100 ng/mL were eligible. Patients received 2 cycles of V at a dose of 1.5 mg/m2 /day intravenously on days 1 and 8 and I at a dose of 50 mg/m2 /day intravenously on days 1 to 5. Patients were defined as responders if they had either a 30% decrease in tumor burden according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) or a 90% (>1 log10 ) decline in their AFP level. Responders were to receive 2 additional cycles of VI intermixed with 6 cycles of the combination of cisplatin, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, and vincristine (C5VD). Nonresponders were to receive 6 cycles of C5VD alone. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients with a median age at diagnosis of 26 months (range, 11-159 months) were enrolled between September 2009 and February 2012. Fourteen of 30 evaluable patients were responders (RECIST and AFP in 6 patients, RECIST only in 3 patients, and AFP only in 5 patients). The median AFP decline after 2 cycles of VI for the entire group was 345,565 ng/mL (85% of the initial AFP). The 3-year event-free and overall survival rates were 49% (95% confidence interval, 30%-65%) and 62% (95% confidence interval, 42%-77%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The VI combination appears to have substantial activity against HR hepatoblastoma. The ultimate impact of this regimen in improving the outcomes of children with HR hepatoblastoma remains to be determined. Cancer 2017;123:2360-2367. © 2017 American Cancer Society.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Hepatectomy , Hepatoblastoma/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Liver Transplantation , Adolescent , Camptothecin/administration & dosage , Camptothecin/analogs & derivatives , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hepatoblastoma/metabolism , Hepatoblastoma/secondary , Humans , Infant , Irinotecan , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Survival Rate , Vincristine/administration & dosage , alpha-Fetoproteins/metabolism
5.
Semin Pediatr Surg ; 32(5): 151340, 2023 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38008042

ABSTRACT

The appropriate management of pediatric liver malignancies, primarily hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, requires an in depth understanding of contemporary preoperative risk stratification, experience with advanced hepatobiliary surgery, and a good relationship with one's local or regional liver transplant center. While chemotherapy regimens have become more effective, operative indications more well-defined, and overall survival improved, the complexity of liver surgery in small children provides ample opportunity for protocol violation, inadequate resection, and iatrogenic morbidity. These guidelines represent the distillation of contemporary literature and expert opinion as a means to provide a framework for preoperative planning and intraoperative decision-making for the pediatric surgeon.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Hepatoblastoma , Liver Neoplasms , Liver Transplantation , Child , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/surgery , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Hepatoblastoma/surgery , Hepatoblastoma/pathology , Liver Transplantation/methods , Treatment Outcome
6.
J Pediatr Surg ; 57(1): 86-92, 2022 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34872735

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: APSA's Right Child/Right Surgeon Initiative addresses issues concerning patient access to appropriate pediatric surgical care and workforce distribution. The APSA Workforce Committee sought to understand the experiences and motivations of recent graduates of Pediatric Surgery Training Programs entering the workforce. METHODS: Using APSA membership databases, we identified members who completed fellowship training from 2010 to 2019. An online survey was created using Survey Monkey, and invitations to participate were sent via email. RESULTS: 144 of 447 invited participants responded (32% response rate). 91% of respondents participated in dedicated research prior to fellowship, but only 64% perform research during their employment. 23% completed an additional clinical fellowship, but only 54% currently practice within the second field. When asked to identify the top three factors used to choose a position, the most common responses were "location or geography" (71%), "available mentorship" (53%), and "compensation and benefits" (37%). Describing their first position, 77% reported working in an academic institution, 78% reported working in a metropolitan/urban area, and 55% reported working in a free-standing children's hospital. 94% participate in General Surgery resident education, and 49% are faculty within a Pediatric Surgery fellowship. Overall, 92% of respondents were able to find the type of employment position that they had wanted. CONCLUSION: In our survey the overwhelming majority of young pediatric surgeons found the type of job they desired. Most report beginning their practice in more populated, urban areas within academic institutions. Geographic location and work environment played heavily into their employment decisions. These preferences could contribute to continued disparity in access to pediatric surgeons between urban and rural America and to dilution of experience for urban surgeons. Possible solutions include alternative incentive programs for employment in less populated areas or new training models for general surgeons in rural areas to train in fundamentals of Pediatric Surgery.


Subject(s)
Specialties, Surgical , Surgeons , Career Choice , Employment , Fellowships and Scholarships , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires
7.
J Clin Oncol ; 40(5): 459-467, 2022 02 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34874751

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Small cell undifferentiated (SCU) histology in hepatoblastoma (HB) tumors has historically been associated with a poor prognosis. Tumors from patients enrolled on Children's Oncology Group (COG) study AHEP0731 underwent institutional and central pathologic review for identification of SCU histology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with SCU histology identified at the local treating institution who had otherwise low-risk tumors were upstaged to the intermediate-risk treatment stratum, whereas those only identified by retrospective central review were treated per the local institution as low-risk. Patients with otherwise intermediate- or high-risk tumors remained in that treatment stratum, respectively. Central review was to be performed for all tissue samples obtained at any time point. Treatment was per local review, whereas analysis of outcome was based on central review. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients had some elements (1%-25%) of SCU identified on central review of diagnostic specimens. All but two patient tissue sample retained nuclear INI1 expression. The presence of SCU histology did not correlate with age, alpha-fetoprotein level at diagnosis, or sex. The presence of SCU did not affect event-free survival (EFS). EFS at 5 years for patients with low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk with SCU HB was 86% (95% CI, 33 to 98), 81% (95% CI, 57 to 92), and 29% (95% CI, 4 to 61), respectively, compared with EFS at 5 years for patients without SCU enrolled with low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk of 87% (95% CI, 72 to 95), 88% (95% CI, 79 to 94), and 55% (95% CI, 32 to 74; P = .17), respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of SCU histology in HB does not appear to adversely affect outcome. Future studies should be able to treat patients with SCU HB according to risk stratification without regard to the presence of SCU histology.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation , Hepatoblastoma/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Adolescent , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease Progression , Female , Hepatectomy , Hepatoblastoma/mortality , Hepatoblastoma/therapy , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Liver Neoplasms/mortality , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Liver Transplantation , Male , Neoplasm Staging , Progression-Free Survival , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Time Factors
8.
J Pediatr Surg ; 57(10): 251-256, 2022 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35810020

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hepatoblastoma (HB) requires surgical resection for cure, but only 20-30% of patients have resectable disease at diagnosis. Patients who undergo partial hepatectomy at diagnosis have historically received 4-6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy; however, those with 100% well-differentiated fetal histology (WDF) have been observed to have excellent outcomes when treated with surgery alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients on the Children's Oncology Group non randomized, multicenter phase III study, AHEP0731, were stratified based on Evan's stage, tumor histology, and serum alpha-fetoprotein level at diagnosis. Patients were eligible for the very low risk stratum of surgery and observation if they had a complete resection at diagnosis and rapid central histologic review demonstrated HB with 100% WDF histology. RESULTS: A total of 8 eligible patients were enrolled on study between September 14, 2009 and May 28, 2014. Outcome current to 06/30/2020 was used in this analysis. The median age at enrollment was 22.5 months (range: 8-84 months) and the median AFP at enrollment was 714 ng/ml (range: 18-77,747 ng/mL). With a median follow-up of 6.6 years (range: 3.6-9.8 years), the 5-year event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were both 100%. CONCLUSION: This report supports that HB with 100% WDF histology completely resected at diagnosis is curable with surgery only. The development of evidence-based surgical guidelines utilizing criteria based on PRETEXT group, vascular involvement (annotation factors), tumor-specific histology and corresponding biology will be crucial for optimizing which patients are candidates for resection at diagnosis followed by observation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognosis study, Level I evidence.


Subject(s)
Hepatoblastoma , Liver Neoplasms , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Child , Hepatectomy , Hepatoblastoma/pathology , Humans , Infant , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Prognosis , Treatment Outcome
9.
J Pediatr Surg ; 55(12): 2566-2574, 2020 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32950245

ABSTRACT

The past 50 years have witnessed profound changes in the specialty of pediatric surgery in North America. There has been a marked increase in the number of both pediatric surgical training programs and practicing pediatric general and thoracic surgeons. Despite this trend, the population of children in the United States and the birth rate have recently remained relatively flat. Some pediatric surgeons have become "super specialists", concentrating their practices in oncology or colorectal surgery. This has the potential to result in a dilution of experience for both pediatric surgical trainees and practicing pediatric surgeons, thus limiting their ability to acquire and maintain expertise, respectively. Coincident with this, there has been a relative paradigm shift in recognition that "quality of life" is based more on maintaining a creative balance in lifestyle and is not "all about work". There has been a parallel growth in the number of practicing pediatric general and thoracic surgeons in urban settings, but we have not appreciated as much growth in rural and underserved areas, where access to pediatric surgical care remains limited and fewer pediatric general and thoracic surgeons practice. This is a complex issue, as some underserved areas are economically depressed and geographically sparse, but others are just underserved with adult providers taking care of children in settings that are often under resourced for pediatric surgical care. This problem may extend beyond the boundaries of pediatric general and thoracic surgery to other specialties. As the premier association representing all pediatric surgeons in the United States, the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) has concluded that the quality of pediatric surgical care will likely decline should the status quo be allowed to continue. Therefore, APSA has initiated a Right Child/Right Surgeon initiative to consider these issues and propose some potential solutions. What follows is a brief statement of intent.


Subject(s)
General Surgery , Pediatrics , Specialties, Surgical , Surgeons , Certification , Child , Humans , North America , Specialization , Thoracic Surgery , United States
10.
J Pediatr Surg ; 55(4): 655-659, 2020 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31126688

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The histopathological assessment of pediatric liver tumors at presentation is critical to establish a diagnosis, guide treatment, and collect appropriate research samples. The purpose of this study was to evaluate complications associated with different approaches to liver biopsy for newly diagnosed hepatoblastoma. METHODS: Children with hepatoblastoma were enrolled on Children's Oncology Group study AHEP0731 (September 2009-March 2012). This analysis evaluated the study cohort of initially unresectable patients who therefore underwent a biopsy procedure at diagnosis. The primary endpoint was clinically significant postbiopsy hemorrhage, defined as requiring red blood cell transfusion. RESULTS: We identified 121 children who underwent open (n = 76, 63%), laparoscopic (n = 17, 14%), or percutaneous (n = 28, 23%) liver biopsies. All biopsy procedures yielded adequate tissue for diagnosis. Postbiopsy hemorrhage requiring transfusion occurred after 26% (n = 31) of biopsies. Need for blood product transfusion most frequently occurred following open (n = 27/76, 36%) and laparoscopic (n = 4/17, 24%) biopsies, compared with percutaneous (n = 0/28, 0%) biopsies (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment biopsy of pediatric liver tumors via a percutaneous approach yielded the lowest frequency of clinically significant hemorrhage requiring transfusion, without evidence of sacrificing diagnostic accuracy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I.


Subject(s)
Hepatoblastoma/diagnosis , Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis , Adolescent , Biopsy/adverse effects , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Laparoscopy/adverse effects , Male , Neoplasm Staging , Postoperative Hemorrhage/etiology
11.
Cancer Res ; 67(20): 9762-70, 2007 Oct 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17942906

ABSTRACT

Regulation of the MYC oncogene remains unclear. Using 10058-F4, a compound that inhibits MYC-MAX transcription factor, MYC protein and gene expression were down-regulated in Namalwa cells, a Burkitt lymphoma. Compound 10058-F4 decreased MYC mRNA (45%), MYC protein (50%), and cell growth (32%). MYC-MAX transcription factor was disrupted 24 h after treatment, resulting in transcriptional inhibition of target genes. Because microRNAs (miRNA) disrupt mRNA translation, let-7a, let-7b, and mir-98 were selected using bioinformatics for targeting MYC. Inhibition of MYC-MAX transcription factor with 10058-F4 increased levels of members of the let-7 family. In inhibited cells at 24 h, let-7a, let-7b, and mir-98 were induced 4.9-, 1.3-, and 2.4-fold, respectively, whereas mir-17-5p decreased 0.23-fold. These results were duplicated using microRNA multianalyte suspension array technology. Regulation of MYC mRNA by let-7a was confirmed by transfections with pre-let-7a. Overexpression of let-7a (190%) decreased Myc mRNA (70%) and protein (75%). Down-regulation of Myc protein and mRNA using siRNA MYC also elevated let-7a miRNA and decreased Myc gene expression. Inverse coordinate regulation of let-7a and mir-17-5p versus Myc mRNA by 10058-F4, pre-let-7a, or siRNA MYC suggested that both miRNAs are Myc-regulated. This supports previous results in lung and colon cancer where decreased levels of the let-7 family resulted in increased tumorigenicity. Here, pre-let-7a transfections led to down-regulation of expression of MYC and its target genes and antiproliferation in lymphoma cells. These findings with let-7a add to the complexity of MYC regulation and suggest that dysregulation of these miRNAs participates in the genesis and maintenance of the lymphoma phenotype in Burkitt lymphoma cells and other MYC-dysregulated cancers.


Subject(s)
Burkitt Lymphoma/genetics , Burkitt Lymphoma/pathology , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , MicroRNAs/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics , Animals , Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors , Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors/biosynthesis , Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors/genetics , Burkitt Lymphoma/metabolism , Cell Growth Processes/genetics , Down-Regulation , Gene Silencing , Genes, myc , Humans , MicroRNAs/biosynthesis , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/antagonists & inhibitors , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/biosynthesis , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , Rats
13.
J Surg Case Rep ; 2019(4): rjz111, 2019 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30967940

ABSTRACT

Laryngeal post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is rare. Here, we describe two pediatric cases. The first, a 15-month-old who underwent liver transplantation at 5 weeks, presented with airway distress. Airway evaluation identified epiglottic and arytenoid infiltrate, and biopsy was consistent with polymorphic PTLD. The second, a 23-month-old who underwent liver transplantation at 13 months, presented with progressive stridor. Airway evaluation revealed sub-mucosal infiltrate of the epiglottis, arytenoids, post-cricoid region, and uvula. Biopsy was consistent with monomorphic PTLD. Airway findings and symptoms resolved for both after immunosuppression reduction. PTLD diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion in post-transplant patients with airway obstruction.

14.
Liver Transpl ; 14(4): 460-8, 2008 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18383090

ABSTRACT

This multicenter study compared health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and family function of pediatric liver transplant recipients to those of healthy children to determine if this population differed from a healthy population and to distinguish which pretransplant and posttransplant factors impact HRQOL and family function. HRQOL data from 102 patients achieving 2-year survival were collected with the Infant Toddler Quality of Life Instrument or the Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form 50 parent surveys. Family functioning was assessed with the Family Assessment Device (FAD) completed by each participant's family members. Demographic and clinical information were retrieved from the Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplant database. Recipients 5 years of age and older scored lower than a normative sample in physical health (P < 0.001), general health (P < 0.001), parental emotional impact (P < 0.001), and disruption of family activities (P < 0.001). Younger children, 2 to 5 years of age, scored lower than controls in global health (P = 0.004) and general health perceptions (P < 0.001) but did not differ in subscales measuring physical and psychosocial outcomes. Univariate analysis among the subscales identified demographic but not clinical variables as significant predictors of HRQOL. Mean scores of FAD scales were below published thresholds indicating healthy family functioning. As reported in previous studies, parents of older recipients reported higher levels of stress, although their level of family function appears normal. Significant associations were also observed between FAD scores and demographic variables, suggesting that further investigation of the impact of race, parental marital status, and socio-economic status on the patient rehabilitation process is needed.


Subject(s)
Family , Health Status , Liver Transplantation/physiology , Liver Transplantation/psychology , Parent-Child Relations , Quality of Life , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Emotions , Female , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Male , Surveys and Questionnaires
15.
Bone ; 109: 281-284, 2018 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29241828

ABSTRACT

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is an ultrarare genetic disorder of progressive, disabling heterotopic ossification for which there is presently no definitive treatment. Several recent studies in genetic mouse models of FOP support involvement of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway in the pathophysiology of FOP and propose the repurposed use of rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTORC1 signaling in clinical trials for the management of FOP. Here we report two patients with the classic FOP mutation who received rapamycin-one for four months on a compassionate basis for treatment of acute flare-ups of the neck and back that were refractory to corticosteroid therapy-and the other for 18years for chronic immunosuppression following liver transplantation for intercurrent cytomegalovirus infection. In both patients, FOP progressed despite the use of rapamycin. This report highlights the real-world use of rapamycin in two FOP patients and provides insight into the use of rapamycin in clinical trials for the management of FOP.


Subject(s)
Myositis Ossificans/drug therapy , Ossification, Heterotopic/drug therapy , Sirolimus/therapeutic use , Activin Receptors, Type I/genetics , Activin Receptors, Type I/metabolism , Humans , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/genetics , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/metabolism , Myositis Ossificans/genetics , Myositis Ossificans/metabolism , Ossification, Heterotopic/genetics , Ossification, Heterotopic/metabolism
17.
J Clin Oncol ; 35(30): 3465-3473, 2017 Oct 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28892430

ABSTRACT

Purpose To determine whether the pattern of lung nodules in children with metastatic hepatoblastoma (HB) correlates with outcome. Methods Thirty-two patients with metastatic HB were enrolled on Children's Oncology Group Protocol AHEP0731 and treated with vincristine and irinotecan (VI). Responders to VI received two additional cycles of VI intermixed with six cycles of cisplatin/fluorouracil/vincristine/doxorubicin (C5VD), and nonresponders received six cycles of C5VD alone. Patients were imaged after every two cycles and at the conclusion of therapy. All computed tomography scans and pathology reports were centrally reviewed, and information was collected regarding lung nodule number, size, laterality, timing of resolution, and pulmonary surgery. Results Among the 29 evaluable patients, only 31% met Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) for measurable metastatic disease. The presence of measurable disease by RECIST, the sum of nodule diameters greater than or equal to the cumulative cohort median size, bilateral disease, and ≥ 10 nodules were each associated with an increased risk for an event-free survival event ( P = .48, P = .08, P = .065, P = .03, respectively), with nodule number meeting statistical significance. Ten patients underwent pulmonary resection/metastasectomy at various time points, the benefit of which could not be determined because of small patient numbers. Conclusion Children with metastatic HB have a poor prognosis. Overall tumor burden may be an important prognostic factor for these patients. Lesions that fail to meet RECIST size criteria (ie, those < 10 mm) at diagnosis may contain viable tumor, whereas residual lesions at the end of therapy may constitute eradicated tumor/scar tissue. Patients may benefit from risk stratification on the basis of the burden of lung metastatic disease at diagnosis.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Hepatoblastoma/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adolescent , Camptothecin/administration & dosage , Camptothecin/analogs & derivatives , Child , Child, Preschool , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Disease-Free Survival , Doxorubicin/administration & dosage , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Hepatoblastoma/diagnostic imaging , Hepatoblastoma/pathology , Humans , Infant , Irinotecan , Liver Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Lung Neoplasms/secondary , Male , Pneumonectomy/methods , Prognosis , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment Outcome , Vincristine/administration & dosage
18.
Breast Cancer Res ; 8(6): R70, 2006.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17163997

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is present in over 90% of the world's population. This infection is considered benign, even though in limited cases EBV is associated with infectious and neoplastic conditions. Over the past decade, the EBV association with breast cancer has been constantly debated. Adding to this clinical and biological uncertainty, different techniques gave contradictory results for the presence of EBV in breast carcinoma specimens. In this study, minor groove binding (MGB)-TaqMan real time PCR was used to detect the presence of EBV DNA in both peripheral blood and tumor samples of selected patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood and breast carcinoma specimens from 24 patients were collected. DNA was extracted and then amplified by MGB-TaqMan real time PCR. RESULTS: Of 24 breast tumor specimens, 11 (46%) were positive for EBV DNA. Of these 11 breast tumor specimens, 7 (64%) were also positive for EBV DNA in the peripheral blood, while 4 (36%) were positive for EBV DNA in the tumor, but negative in the blood. CONCLUSION: EBV was found at extremely low levels, with a mean of 0.00004 EBV genomes per cell (range 0.00014 to 0.00001 EBV genomes per cell). Furthermore, our finding of the presence of EBV in the tumor specimens coupled to the absence of detection of EBV genomic DNA in the peripheral blood is consistent with the epithelial nature of the virus. Because of the low levels of viral DNA in tumor tissue, further studies are needed to assess the biological input of EBV in breast cancer.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/virology , Breast/virology , Disease Reservoirs/virology , Herpesvirus 4, Human , Adult , Biopsy , Blood/virology , Breast/pathology , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/virology , Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/virology , Carcinoma, Lobular/virology , DNA, Viral/analysis , DNA, Viral/blood , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Polymerase Chain Reaction
19.
Del Med J ; 78(5): 185-7, 2006 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16739938

ABSTRACT

Intussusception is known to be associated with childhood viral illnesses. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported in association with intussusception. We report a case of a 4-month-old boy admitted with RSV bronchiolitis, who subsequently developed an intussusception during the hospital course, necessitating laparotomy and resection.


Subject(s)
Intussusception/etiology , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/diagnosis , Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/isolation & purification , Comorbidity , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Infant , Intussusception/surgery , Intussusception/virology , Male , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/complications , Risk Factors
20.
Front Biosci (Elite Ed) ; 4(4): 1293-302, 2012 01 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22201955

ABSTRACT

Complete surgical resection is essential to long-term survival in children with hepatoblastoma. We present the guidelines from the Children's Oncology Group (COG), liver tumor study group of the Societe Internationale Oncologie Pediatrique (SIOPEL), and German Pediatric Oncology Group (GPOH) for early referral of children with potentially unresectable hepatoblastoma to a specialty center with expertise in extreme resection and liver transplantation. Patients who will become candidates for liver transplantation should receive chemotherapy following the same protocols as for children undergoing a partial hepatectomy. The Pediatric Liver Unresectable Tumor Observatory (PLUTO) is an international prospective database established to collect data and make future recommendations on controversial issues regarding the use of transplant in hepatoblastoma including: 1) What is the optimal treatment of multifocal tumors. 2) What is the role of extreme resection vs. liver transplant in patients with major venous involvement. 3) What is the role of transplant in patients who present with lung metastasis. 3) Should patients with tumor relapse be offered a rescue transplant. 4) What is the role of pre- and post- transplant chemotherapy.


Subject(s)
Hepatoblastoma/surgery , Liver Neoplasms/surgery , Liver Transplantation , Child , Hepatoblastoma/pathology , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/secondary , Practice Guidelines as Topic
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL