Metabolic Fingerprint in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent childhood malignancy. Despite high cure rates, several questions remain regarding predisposition, response to treatment, and prognosis of the disease. The role of intermediary metabolism in the individualized mechanistic pathways of the disease is unclear. We have hypothesized that children with any (sub)type of ALL have a distinct metabolomic fingerprint at diagnosis when compared: (i) to a control group; (ii) to children with a different (sub)type of ALL; (iii) to the end of the induction treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective case-control study (NCT03035344), plasma and urinary metabolites were analyzed in 34 children with ALL before the beginning (D0) and at the end of the induction treatment (D33). Their metabolic fingerprint was defined by targeted analysis of 106 metabolites and compared to that of an equal number of matched controls. Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses were performed using SIMCAP and scripts under the R programming language. RESULTS: Metabolomic analysis showed distinct changes in patients with ALL compared to controls on both D0 and D33. The metabolomic fingerprint within the patient group differed significantly between common B-ALL and pre-B ALL and between D0 and D33, reflecting the effect of treatment. We have further identified the major components of this metabolic dysregulation, indicating shifts in fatty acid synthesis, transfer and oxidation, in amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism, and in the glutaminolysis/TCA cycle. CONCLUSIONS: The disease type and time point-specific metabolic alterations observed in pediatric ALL are of particular interest as they may offer potential for the discovery of new prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Prognostic factors in high-grade pediatric osteosarcoma among children and young adults: Greek Nationwide Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors (NARECHEM-ST) data along with a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The 5-year overall survival of children and adolescents with osteosarcoma has been in plateau during the last 30 years. The present systematic review (1976-2023) and meta-analysis aimed to explore factors implicated in the prognosis of children and young adults with high-grade osteosarcoma. Original studies including patients ≤30 years and the Nationwide Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors (NARECHEM-ST) data (2010-2021) referred to children ≤14 years were analysed. Individual participant data (IPD) and summary estimates were used to assess the n-year survival rates, as well as the association of risk factors with overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). IPD and the n-year survival rates were pooled using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models, and random effects models, respectively. Data from 8412 patients, including 46 publications, NARECHEM-ST data, and 277 IPD from 10 studies were analysed. The summary 5-year OS rate was 64% [95% confidence interval (95%CI): 62%-66%, 37 studies, 6661 patients] and the EFS was 52% (95%CI: 49%-56%, 30 studies, 5010 patients). The survival rates generally differed in the pre-specified subgroups. Limb-salvage surgery showed a higher 5-year OS rate (69%) versus amputation (47%). Good responders had higher OS rates at 3 years (94%) and 5 years (81%), compared to poor responders at 3 years (66%), and 5 years (56%). Patients with metastatic disease had a higher risk of death [Hazard Ratio (HR): 3.60, 95%CI: 2.52, 5.15, 11 studies]. Sex did not have an impact on EFS (HR females/males: 0.90, 95%CI: 0.54, 1.48, 3 studies), whereas age>18 years seems to adversely affect EFS (HR 18+/<10 years: 1.36, 95%CI: 1.09, 1.86, 3 studies). Our results summarize the collective experience on prognostic factors of high-grade osteosarcoma among children and young adults. Poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and metastatic disease at diagnosis were confirmed as primary risk factors of poor outcome. International collaboration of osteosarcoma study groups is essential to improve survival.

Effect of apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene polymorphisms on the lipid profile of children being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Medications used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), such as L-asparaginase, can cause blood lipid disturbances. These can also be associated with polymorphisms of the lipoprotein lipase (LpL) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genes. PROCEDURE: We aimed to investigate the association between lipid profile, certain LpL and APOE gene polymorphisms (rs268, rs328, rs1801177 and rs7412, rs429358 respectively) as well as the risk subgroup in 30 pediatric patients being treated for ALL, compared with 30 pediatric ALL survivors and 30 healthy controls. RESULTS: The only APOE gene polymorphism with significant allelic and genotypic heterogeneity was rs429358. Further analysis of this polymorphism showed that genotype (CC, CT, or TT) was significantly associated with (1) changes in the lipid profile at the end of consolidation (total cholesterol, LDL, apo-B100, and lipoprotein a) and during re-induction (total cholesterol and apo-B100), and (2) classification in the high risk-ALL subgroup (for CC genotype/C allele presence). CONCLUSIONS: Lipid abnormalities in children being treated for ALL may be associated with the APOE genotype, which is also possibly associated with risk stratification. Further research is needed to confirm the potential prognostic value of these findings.

Kinetics and Role of Pancreatic Stone Protein and Midregional Proadrenomedullin as Predictors of Sepsis and Bacteremia in Children with Hematological Malignancies.

Background: To investigate the kinetics and prognostic value of pancreatic stone protein (PSP) and mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) during episodes of febrile neutropenia (FN) in children with hematological malignancies. Material and methods: We evaluated prospectively a total of 70 FN episodes in 70 children with acute leukemias and lymphomas. CRP, PSP, and MR-proADM levels were measured at the onset of the febrile episode (day 1), day 3, and day 7. The outcome and survival of children were evaluated during the study period until day 28. The performance of each marker in identifying sepsis or severe sepsis was assessed as an area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ROC curves were used for each biomarker to derive cut-offs for sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing sepsis from non-sepsis. Results: During the 2-year study period, 70 febrile neutropenia episodes in 70 children with hematological malignancies were enrolled. Of 70 episodes of febrile neutropenia, in 17 (24%), a bacterial/fungal infection was documented. Criteria for sepsis were fulfilled for 31 (44%) and 7 (10%) patients were admitted to PICU. The median values of all biomarkers on day 1 differed significantly between patients with and without sepsis. PSP, MR-proADM, and CRP specificity were 0.82, 0.70, and 0.57, respectively. The sensitivity of PSP, MR-proADM, and CRP were 0.84, 0.74, and 0.88, respectively. Conclusions: PSP and MR-proADM are promising biomarkers for early diagnosis of sepsis during FN episodes in children with hematological malignancies. However, PSP has a higher sensitivity and specificity.

Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children and Adolescents of Northern Greece: 25-Year Results and Long-term Follow-up.

Aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term therapeutic outcome and treatment-related complications in Hodgkin disease. We reviewed the medical records of 93 patients diagnosed with classic Hodgkin lymphoma, treated, and followed-up during the last 25 years. The cohort study included 49 males and 44 females with median age 11.8 years old (range: 3.95 to 17.42 y). The most common subtype was nodular sclerosis in 47/93 (50.5%). B symptoms were present in 15/93 (16.1%). From January 2009 until December 2020, 55 (59%) patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma were treated according to European Network for Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma (EURONET)-PHL-C1 protocol. Concerning outcome, a total of 89/93 patients are alive. Relapse occurred in 7/93. Second malignancies are reported in a total of 5 patients, 3 solid tumors (thyroid cancer, breast cancer, and osteosarcoma), and 2 acute myeloid leukemias. The overall survival and event-free survival for the whole cohort were 95.7% and 83.9%, respectively. Disease-free survival was 92.5%. Although a considerable high fraction of patients with Hodgkin disease can achieve continuous complete remission, they are at a high risk of developing long-term treatment-related complications. High curative rates as well as prevention of late effects can be achieved by implementation of individualized treatment strategies and innovative treatments.

Survival patterns of childhood neuroblastoma: an analysis of clinical data from Southern-Eastern European countries.

The prognosis of children with neuroblastoma (NBL) can be dismal with significant variations depending on the stage and biology of the tumor. We assessed the event-free (EFS) and overall (OS) survival using harmonized data from three Southern-Eastern European (SEE) countries. Data for 520 incident NBL cases (2009-2018) were collected from Greece, Slovenia and Russia. Kaplan-Meier curves were fitted, and EFS/OS were derived from Cox proportional models by study variables including the protocol-based risk-group (low/observation, intermediate, high). Over one-third of cases were coded in the high-risk group, of which 23 children (4.4%) received treatment with anti-ganglioside 2 (GD2) mAb. Survival rates were inferior in older (OS 5-year; 1.5-4.9 years: 61%; EFS 5-year; 1.5-4.9 years: 48%) compared to children younger than 1.5 years (OS 5-year; <1.5 years: 91%; EFS 5-year; <1.5 years: 78%). Predictors of poor OS included stage 4 (hazard ratio, HR OS : 18.12, 95% confidence intervals, CI: 3.47-94.54), N-myc amplification (HR OS : 2.16, 95% CI: 1.40-3.34), no surgical excision (HR OS : 3.27, 95% CI: 1.91-5.61) and relapse/progression (HR OS : 5.46, 95% CI: 3.23-9.24). Similar unfavorable EFS was found for the same subsets of patients. By contrast, treatment with anti-GD2 antibody in high-risk patients was associated with decreased risk of death or unfavorable events (HR OS : 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02-0.79; HR EFS : 0.19, 95% CI: 0.07-0.52). Our results confirm the outstanding prognosis of the early NBL stages, especially in children <1.5 years, and the improved outcomes of the anti-GD2 treatment in high-risk patients. Ongoing high-quality clinical cancer registration is needed to ensure comparability of survival across Europe and refine our understanding of the NBL biology.

Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Bloodstream Infections in Children with Cancer: A Report from a Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children with haematologic malignancies and solid tumors as well as those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The purpose of our study was to record the epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of bacteremias, focusing on pathogens, as well as risk factors and mortality rates in patients of a pediatric hematology-oncology unit from Northern Greece. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted, which included all positive blood cultures from pediatric hematology oncology patients aged from 1 to 16 years old admitted to the Pediatric and Adolescent Hematology Oncology Unit of AHEPA University Hospital of Thessaloniki between January 2014 and December 2018. Data were collected from patients' printed and electronic medical records. RESULTS: 73 episodes of bacteremias were identified (41% male and 32% female with a ratio of 1.28:1; median age 6.5 years; 13.7% solid tumor, 72.6% acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 13.7% acute myeloid leukemia, and 95.8% with an indwelling permanent catheter). 49.3% of the isolates were Gram-positive bacteria and 50.7% Gram-negative, and the ratio of Gram-negative to Grampositive was 1.02. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were most frequent (39.7%), followed by E. coli (17.8%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.8%). Out of all Gram-negatives, 13.5% carbapenemase producers and 8.1% ESBL-producers were found. In relation to Gram-positive, 79.3% were identified as methicillin-resistant CoNS. During the study period, 10.9% of indwelling catheters were removed, and 2.73% of episodes resulted in ICU transfer. The 3-month mortality rate was 8.2%. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated an almost equal distribution of Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteremias in total in this population but with an increase in the isolation of Grampositive bacteria over the last years, which is consistent with other similar studies in this patient group. Knowledge of the local epidemiology and bacterial antimicrobial resistance is important to prevent and timely treat these life-threatening infections in immunocompromised pediatric oncology patients.

Aplastic anemia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in children and adults in two centers of Northern Greece.

Bone marrow failure (BMF) syndromes are a group of various hematological diseases with cytopenia as a main common characteristic. Given their rarity and continuous progress in the field, we aim to provide data considering the efficiency and safety of the therapeutic methods, focusing on the treatment of aplastic anemia(AA) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). We enrolled consecutive patients diagnosed with BMF in two referral centers of Northern Greece from 2008 to 2020. We studied 43 patients with AA (37 adults and 6 children/adolescents) and 6 with classical PNH. Regarding classical PNH, 4 patients have received eculizumab treatment with 1/4 presenting extravascular hemolysis. Among 43 patients with aplastic anemia, PNH clones were detected in 11. Regarding patients that did not receive alloHCT (n=15), 14/15 were treated with ATG and cyclosporine as first line, with the addition of eltrombopag in patients treated after its approval (n=9). With a median follow-up of 16.7 (1.8-56.2) months from diagnosis, 12/14 (85.7%) are alive (4-year OS: 85.1%). AlloHCT was performed in 28 patients. Five patients developed TA-TMA which did not resolve in 3/5 (all with a pre-transplant PNH clone). With the follow-up among survivors reaching 86.3 (6.3-262.4) months, 10-year OS was 56.9%, independently associated with PNH clones after adjusting for age (p=0.024). In conclusion, our real-world experience confirms that novel treatments are changing the field of BMF syndromes. Nevertheless, there is still an unmet need to personalize algorithms in this field.

First detection of mcr-1-producing Escherichia coli in Greece.

OBJECTIVES: In this communication, we describe the emergence of the mcr-1 colistin resistance gene in a blaCTX-M-32 extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolate recovered from a pediatric patient in Greece. METHODS: Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed with the VITEK2 automated system and broth microdilution. Detection of resistance genes, assignment to sequence type, in silico plasmid detection, and virulence factors were carried out using ResFinder, MLST 2.0, PlasmidFinder 2.1., and VirulenceFinder 2.0, respectively. PlasmidSPAdes v3.11.1 was used to assemble the plasmid contigs. The mcr-1.1-containing plasmid was analyzed for insertion sequence elements using ISfinder. Phylogenetically relevant sequences of the plasmid were identified using the Microbe BLASTN suite. RESULTS: The microorganism was assigned to sequence type 48 and carried four plasmids of different incompatibility groups. The specific mcr-1.1 allele was located in a 32.722 bp plasmid belonging to the IncX4 group with no additional resistance genes. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection of mcr-1 in a human specimen in our country. A potential spread of mcr-1 in Greece is concerning because of the existing high rates of carbapenem resistance and colistin usage as a last resort regimen.

Overall and event-free survival of childhood lymphoma in Greece: analysis of harmonized clinical data over a 24-year active registration period.

We assessed event-free (EFS) and overall (OS) survival in 676 incident cases of childhood Hodgkin (HL) and non-Hodgkin (NHL) lymphoma actively registered in Greece (1996-2019). HL-OS5-year was 96% and NHL-OS5-year 85%, whereas HL-EFS5-year was 86% and NHL-EFS5-year was 81%, notably similar to the respective OS rates (HL: 95%, NHL: 85%) in developed countries. For HL, older age at diagnosis, high maternal education and close proximity to treatment centers were linked to remarkably favorable outcomes. By contrast, stage IV patients showed worse OS and EFS. HL patients with low levels of hemoglobin were associated with worse EFS (hazard ratio: 2.81, 95% confidence intervals: 1.09-7.22). OS (76%) and EFS (73%) were poor among high-risk NHL patients and those with increased LDH (71%). The identified predictors of poor disease outcome point to the need for intensification of individualized treatments. Ongoing clinical cancer registration entailing clinical components could contribute to use of state-of-the-art treatments.

Safety and Efficacy of Eltrombopag in Children and Adults with Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Immune thrombocytopenia is an immune condition where antibodies are produced against platelets. Eltrombopag is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist that stimulates and promotes platelet production approved for treating thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia, where other treatments such as corticosteroids, splenectomy or immunoglobulins are inadequate. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the eltrombopag in adults and children with immune thrombocytopenia. We included 7 studies with a total of 765 patients (606 adults and 159 children). We evaluated the number of patients that achieved a post-treatment platelet count equal or above 50x109/L (primary result-target) without the need of rescue treatment for at least 4 weeks. Our data showed that patients who received eltrombopag were almost 4 times more probable in achieving the primary target when compared to patients who received placebo (RR 3.84, 95% CI 2.39 to 6.14; I2 = 46%). The number of patients needed rescue treatment and the number of bleeding incidents were reduced in the group that received eltrombopag when compared to those who received placebo (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.62; I2 = 40%) (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.89; I2 = 68%). The total number of side effects did not statistically differ between the two groups (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.08; I2 = 14%). Our findings were similar to previously published studies and confirm that eltrombopag is safe and efficient in immune thrombocytopenia. However, more clinical trials are needed in order to enhance our findings.

Primary posterior mediastinal germ cell tumor in a child.

Yolk sac tumor is the most common malignant neoplasm of germ cell origin and usually occurs in infant testes or ovaries. On rare occasions, the tumor arises from extragonadal sites, including the sacrococcygeal region, uterus, vagina, prostate, retroperitoneum, liver, mediastinum (commonly in the anterior), pineal gland, and third ventricle. Yolk sac tumors have an unfavorable prognosis, if not treated aggressively. We report the case of a 3-year-old boy with a primary posterior mediastinal yolk sac tumor who was managed initially with surgery, followed by chemotherapy and had a favorable prognosis. In the literature on yolk sac tumors presenting as a mediastinal mass, pediatric germ cell tumors have been reported very rarely in the posterior mediastinum.

Perinatal and early life risk factors for childhood brain tumors: Is instrument-assisted delivery associated with higher risk?

BACKGROUND: The childhood peak of brain tumors suggests that early-life exposures might have a role in their etiology. Hence, we examined in the Greek National Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid tumors (NARECHEM-ST) whether perinatal and early-life risk factors influence the risk of childhood brain tumors. METHODS: In a nationwide case-control study, we included 203 cases (0-14 years) with a diagnosis of brain tumor in NARECHEM-ST (2010-2016) and 406 age-, sex-, and center-matched hospital controls. Information was collected via interviews with the guardians and we analyzed the variables of interest in multivariable conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: Instrument-assisted delivery was associated with higher (OR: 7.82, 95%CI: 2.18-28.03), whereas caesarean delivery with lower (OR: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.45-0.99) risk of childhood brain tumors, as compared to spontaneous vaginal delivery. Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy (OR: 2.35, 95%CI: 1.45-3.81) and history of living in a farm (OR: 4.98, 2.40-10.32) increased the odds of childhood brain tumors. Conversely, higher birth order was associated with lower risk (OR for 2nd vs. 1st child: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.40-0.89 and OR for 3rd vs. 1st: 0.34, 95%CI: 0.18-0.63). Birth weight, gestational age, parental age, history of infertility, smoking during pregnancy, allergic diseases, and maternal diseases during pregnancy showed no significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal and early-life risk factors, and specifically indicators of brain trauma, exposure to toxic agents and immune system maturation, might be involved in the pathogenesis of childhood brain tumors. Larger studies should aim to replicate our findings and examine associations with tumor subtypes.

Description of an ELANE Mutation in a Girl with Severe Congenital Neutropenia: A Paradigm of Targeted Genetic Screening Based on Clinical Findings.

We describe the case of a 5-year-old girl with severe congenital neutropenia presenting with recurrent skin and respiratory infections. Sequence analysis of ELANE and HAX1 genes identified a mutation in heterozygous state in exon 2 of the ELANE gene: c.157C > G (p.His53Asp), not previously described in the literature at the exon coding level. Given the autosomal dominant inheritance and the location of the mutation within a "hotspot," this mutation was considered as clinically relevant. ELANE should be screened in patients with congenital neutropenia of no obvious etiology. A detailed medical history and clinical evaluation can prevent unnecessary investigations allowing for a targeted diagnostic strategy.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A concurrent with anaplastic ependymoma in a toddler: when an acute event unmasks a chronic condition.

Gogou M, Pavlidou E, Pavlou E, Papageorgiou T, Tragiannidis A, Giannopoulos A, Hatzipantelis E. Charcot-Marie -Tooth 1A concurrent with anaplastic ependymoma in a toddler: when an acute event unmasks a chronic condition. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 428-430. We report a 14-month-old toddler admitted to the Pediatric Oncology Department after surgical resection of supratentorial anaplastic ependymoma. The child was treated with International Society of Pediatric Oncology Ependymoma II 2015 chemotherapy protocol (vincristine, carboplatin, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide and methotrexate). At the end of the first cycle the child presented with symptoms such as unsteadiness and ataxic gait along with decreased motor and sensory action potentials of the limbs. As the father of the child was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A disease, a genetic analysis of the PMP22 gene was performed confirming the diagnosis of Charcot- Marie-Tooth 1A in the child, too. This case gently reminds the possibility of vincristine-induced neurotoxicity and underscores the significance of an appropriate neurological assessment before vincristine initiation.

Persisting inequalities in survival patterns of childhood neuroblastoma in Southern and Eastern Europe and the effect of socio-economic development compared with those of the US.

AIM: Neuroblastoma outcomes vary with disease characteristics, healthcare delivery and socio-economic indicators. We assessed survival patterns and prognostic factors for patients with neuroblastoma in 11 Southern and Eastern European (SEE) countries versus those in the US, including-for the first time-the Nationwide Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumours (NARECHEM-ST)/Greece. METHODS: Overall survival (OS) was calculated in 13 collaborating SEE childhood cancer registries (1829 cases, ∼1990-2016) and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER), US (3072 cases, 1990-2012); Kaplan-Meier curves were used along with multivariable Cox regression models assessing the effect of age, gender, primary tumour site, histology, Human Development Index (HDI) and place of residence (urban/rural) on survival. RESULTS: The 5-year OS rates varied widely among the SEE countries (Ukraine: 45%, Poland: 81%) with the overall SEE rate (59%) being significantly lower than in SEER (77%; p < 0.001). In the common registration period within SEE (2000-2008), no temporal trend was noted as opposed to a significant increase in SEER. Age >12 months (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.8-4.7 in subsequent age groups), male gender (HR: 1.1), residence in rural areas (HR: 1.3), living in high (HR: 2.2) or medium (HR: 2.4) HDI countries and specific primary tumour location were associated with worse outcome; conversely, ganglioneuroblastoma subtype (HR: 0.28) was associated with higher survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Allowing for the disease profile, children with neuroblastoma in SEE, especially those in rural areas and lower HDI countries, fare worse than patients in the US, mainly during the early years after diagnosis; this may be attributed to presumably modifiable socio-economic and healthcare system performance differentials warranting further research.

The multiple faces of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in childhood: A gentle reminder.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare hematologic disorder that results from the clonal multiplication and accumulation of immature dendritic Langerhans cells. Its reported incidence rate varies, but is considered to be 2.6-8.9 per million children who are <15 years of age each year. It may affect any system or organ. The present study reported 4 pediatric LCH cases in order to highlight the heterogeneity of the initial presentation, and the pitfalls that may mislead clinicians and delay diagnosis. The clinical features, as well as the pathognomonic imaging, pathology findings and treatment options were presented. LCH may be rare, but it should always be included in the differential diagnosis of persistent eczema, unexplained skin lesions, diabetes insipidus and persistent bone pain, among others. While the debate on pathogenesis and treatment is ongoing, high index of suspicion among pediatricians, pediatric oncologists and other specialists (pathologists, dermatologists, orthopaedic surgeons, general practitioners or family physicians) is essential for early diagnosis, and optimal outcome.

Neuroblastoma among children in Southern and Eastern European cancer registries: Variations in incidence and temporal trends compared to US.

Neuroblastoma comprises the most common neoplasm during infancy (first year of life). Our study describes incidence of neuroblastoma in Southern-Eastern Europe (SEE), including - for the first time - the Nationwide Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors (NARECHEM-ST)/Greece, compared to the US population, while controlling for human development index (HDI). Age-adjusted incidence rates (AIR) were calculated for 1,859 childhood (0-14 years) neuroblastoma cases, retrieved from 13 collaborating SEE registries (1990-2016), and were compared to those of SEER/US (N = 3,166; 1990-2012); temporal trends were assessed using Poisson regression and Joinpoint analyses. The overall AIR was significantly lower in SEE (10.1/million) compared to SEER (11.7 per million); the difference was maximum during infancy (43.7 vs. 53.3 per million, respectively), when approximately one-third of cases were diagnosed. Incidence rates of neuroblastoma at ages <1 and 1-4 years were positively associated with HDI, whereas lower median age at diagnosis was correlated with higher overall AIR. Distribution of primary site and histology was similar in SEE and SEER. Neuroblastoma was slightly more common among males compared to females (male-to-female ratio: 1.1), mainly among SEE infants. Incidence trends decreased in infants in Slovenia, Cyprus and SEER and increased in Ukraine and Belarus. The lower incidence in SEE compared to SEER, especially in infants living in low HDI countries possibly indicates a lower level of overdiagnosis in SEE. Hence, increases in incidence rates in infancy noted in some subpopulations should be carefully monitored to avoid the unnecessary costs health impacts of tumors that could potentially spontaneously regress.

Parental alcohol consumption and risk of leukemia in the offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Parental alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy has been linked to adverse outcomes in the offspring including leukemogenesis. We, therefore, aimed to systematically assess and quantitatively synthesize published data on the association of paternal consumption during preconception and maternal consumption during pregnancy with leukemia risk in childhood (0-14 years). Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched PubMed (until February 2016) and the reference lists of the relevant studies. Observational studies examining the association between parental alcohol consumption and childhood leukemia were considered eligible. Data extracted from 39 case-control studies (over 16 000 leukemia cases and 30 000 controls) were pooled and summary-effect estimates were calculated. Subgroup analyses were carried out by main acute leukemia type [lymphoblastic or myeloid), cytogenetics/genetic polymorphisms, and specific alcohol beverages. We found a statistically significant dose-response association of any level of maternal alcohol consumption compared with nondrinking during pregnancy exclusively with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) [odds ratio (OR)moderate consumption: 1.64, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.23-2.17 and ORhigh consumption: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.60-3.49]. In contrast, no association of paternal preconception consumption with any leukemia type was noted. In beverage-specific analyses, only a positive association of maternal wine drinking with childhood AML was found, which was more pronounced in analyses including only studies on infant leukemia (ORwine: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.16-3.90). The largest ever meta-analysis shows a sizeable, statistically significant dose-response association of maternal alcohol consumption during index pregnancy with AML risk. Future research exploring the role of genetic polymorphisms is anticipated to shed light on the underlying pathophysiology.