Clinical utility of DNA methylation profiling for choroid plexus tumors.

Background: Choroid plexus tumors (CPTs) are rare, potentially aggressive CNS tumors with defined histologic criteria for grading. In recent years, several patients within our practice have demonstrated discordance between the histologic diagnosis and clinical behavior. DNA methylation profiling has emerged as a potential diagnostic adjunct for aiding the clinical approach. Methods: We reviewed the clinical and pathologic data of all CPTs diagnosed at Boston Children's Hospital from 1995 to 2023. All cases with available material (38/48) underwent DNA methylation profiling at NIH/NCI, and the classifier results were correlated with the WHO histologic grade and patient outcomes. Survival information was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: There was good correlation (11/12, 92%) between methylation class and WHO histologic grade for choroid plexus carcinomas (CPC); one histologic CPC grouped with choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) group pediatric (P). Five CPPs grouped with methylation class CPC (5/17, 29%). In the group of atypical CPPs (n = 9), there were two that grouped with methylation class CPC. Survival analysis showed utility of methylation classes in the prediction of biologic behavior. Conclusions: Results indicated that methylation profiling may serve as a valuable tool in the clinical decision-making process for patients with CPTs, providing additional prognostic information compared to WHO histologic grade alone. The value of methylation array analysis is particularly important given the lack of consensus on treatment regimens for CPTs.

COVID-19 has changed the way we think about training future pediatric hematologists/oncologists.

COVID-19 has upended medical practice and education, but has also catalyzed enhancements in the field. Early on, a local group of researchers united to investigate the impact of the pandemic on pediatric hematology oncology (PHO). From this group, a regional educational series was established, "virtual-Symposium of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology of New York" (v-SYMPHONY). The implementation of these endeavors while PHO fellowship applications are declining has highlighted our perceptions that education, mentoring, and career expectations are not keeping up with the needs of current trainees. We describe our regional experience joining together to further education and research, and reflect on the current landscape of PHO training and workforce.

Characterization of COVID-19 disease in pediatric oncology patients: The New York-New Jersey regional experience.

PURPOSE: Pediatric oncology patients undergoing active chemotherapy are suspected to be at a high risk for severe disease secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection; however, data to support this are lacking. We aim to describe the characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in this population and also its impact on pediatric cancer care in the New York region during the peak of the pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study included 13 institutions. Clinical and laboratory information on 98 patients ≤21 years of age receiving active anticancer therapy, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was collected. RESULTS: Of the 578 pediatric oncology patients tested for COVID-19, 98 were positive, of whom 73 were symptomatic. Most experienced mild disease, 28 required inpatient management, 25 needed oxygen support, and seven required mechanical ventilation. There is a slightly higher risk of severe disease in males and obese patients, though not statistically significant. Persistent lymphopenia was noted in severe cases. Delays in cancer therapy occurred in 67% of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. Of four deaths, none were solely attributable to COVID-19. The impact of the pandemic on pediatric oncology care was significant, with 54% of institutions reporting delays in chemotherapy, 46% delays in surgery, and 30% delays in transplant. CONCLUSION: In this large multi-institutional cohort, we observed that mortality and morbidity from COVID-19 amongst pediatric oncology patients were low overall, but higher than reported in general pediatrics. Certain subgroups might be at higher risk of severe disease. Delays in cancer care due to SARS-CoV-2 remain a concern.