Eficácia da rasburicase para prevenção e tratamento da síndrome de lise tumoral: uma revisão sistemática de literatura / Efficacy of rasburicase for prevention and treatment of tumor lysis syndrome: a systematic literature review / Eficacia de la rasburicasa en la prevención y tratamiento del síndrome de lisis tumoral: una revisión sistemática de la literatura

A síndrome de lise tumoral (SLT) é uma emergência onco-hematológica, associada à alta mortalidade e morbidade, que pode ocorrer espontaneamente ou em resposta à quimioterapia ou bioterapia anticâncer. A rasburicase é uma droga urato oxidase recombinante, a qual reduz o ácido úrico sanguíneo liberado, prevenindo e tratando a lesão renal aguda, que representa a principal complicação da SLT. O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar a eficácia da rasburicase na prevenção e no tratamento da SLT, contribuindo para melhor compreensão do manejo dessa frequente síndrome em pacientes oncológicos. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura sistematizada por meio de busca no banco de dados do PubMed e uptodate, de novembro de 2021 a janeiro de 2022, utilizando-se os descritores: prevention [title/abstract] AND prophylaxis [title/abstract] AND tumor lysis syndrome [title/abstract]. Dos 212 artigos encontrados, após exclusão por título, abstract e leitura completa, apenas nove foram selecionados. Os estudos mostraram, em sua maioria, uma redução do ácido úrico plasmático com o uso da rasburicase em pacientes com alto risco para SLT. A rasburicase foi eficaz para prevenção e tratamento da hiperuricemia em pacientes com risco de SLT. Apesar dos estudos analisados serem positivos para eficácia da rasburicase na prevenção e no tratamento da síndrome, nenhum deles trouxe como desfecho principal a redução de mortalidade. Torna-se relevante, portanto, a realização de mais estudos multicêntricos, prospectivos e com emprego de instrumentos validados sobre o tema desta revisão sistemática.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an onco-hematological emergency associated with high mortality and morbidity, of spontaneous onset or in response to chemotherapy or anticancer biotherapy. Rasburicase is a recombinant urate oxidase drug that reduces blood uric acid released, preventing and treating acute kidney injury, considered the main TLS complication. This systematic literature review sought to evaluate the rasburicase effectiveness in preventing and treating tumor lysis syndrome, to better understand how to manage this frequent syndrome in cancer patients. Bibliographic search was conducted on the PubMed database from November 2021 to January 2022, using the following descriptors: prevention [title/abstract] AND prophylaxis [title/abstract] AND tumor lysis syndrome [title/abstract]. After exclusion by title, abstract and full reading, only nine papers were selected from the 212 found. Most studies showed reduced plasma uric acid by rasburicase use in high-risk patients for TLS. Rasburicase effectively prevented and treated hyperuricemia in patients at risk for tumor lysis syndrome. Despite these positive outcomes, none of the studies showed reduced mortality as the main outcome. Thus, further multicenter prospective studies using validated instruments are needed on the subject.

El síndrome de lisis tumoral (SLT) es una urgencia oncohematológica, asociada a una alta mortalidad y morbilidad, que puede presentarse de forma espontánea o en respuesta a quimioterapia o bioterapia anticancerígena. La rasburicasa es un fármaco de urato oxidasa recombinante, que reduce el ácido úrico sanguíneo liberado mediante la prevención y el tratamiento de la lesión renal aguda, que representa la principal complicación del SLT. El objetivo de este artículo fue evaluar la efectividad de la rasburicasa en la prevención y tratamiento del SLT, lo que contribuye a una mejor comprensión del manejo de este síndrome frecuente en pacientes oncológicos. Se hizo una revisión sistemática de la literatura mediante búsqueda en la base de datos PubMed y actualizada de noviembre de 2021 a enero de 2022, utilizando los descriptores de PubMed: prevention [title/abstract] AND prophylaxis [title/abstract] AND tumor lysis syndrome [title/abstract]. De los 212 artículos encontrados, después de la exclusión por título, resumen y lectura completa, solo 9 fueron seleccionados. La mayoría de los estudios mostraron una reducción del ácido úrico plasmático con el uso de rasburicasa en pacientes con alto riesgo de SLT. La rasburicasa fue eficaz para la prevención y el tratamiento de la hiperuricemia en pacientes con riesgo de síndrome de lisis tumoral. A pesar de que los estudios analizados fueron positivos para la eficacia de la rasburicasa en la prevención y tratamiento del síndrome, ninguno de ellos trajo como desenlace principal la reducción de la mortalidad. Por lo tanto, es relevante realizar más estudios prospectivos multicéntricos utilizando instrumentos validados sobre el tema de esta revisión sistemática.

Clinical characteristics of tumor lysis syndrome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a common and fatal complication of childhood hematologic malignancies, especially acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The clinical features, therapeutic regimens, and outcomes of TLS have not been comprehensively analyzed in Chinese children with ALL. A total of 5537 children with ALL were recruited from the Chinese Children's Cancer Group, including 79 diagnosed with TLS. The clinical characteristics, treatment regimens, and survival of TLS patients were analyzed. Age distribution of children with TLS was remarkably different from those without TLS. White blood cells (WBC) count ≥ 50 × 109/L was associated with a higher risk of TLS [odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.6-4.5]. The incidence of T-ALL in TLS children was significantly higher than that in non-TLS controls (OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 2.6-8.8). Hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia were more common in TLS children with hyperleukocytosis (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.0-6.9 and OR = 5.4, 95% CI = 2.0-14.2, respectively). Significant differences in levels of potassium (P = 0.004), calcium (P < 0.001), phosphorus (P < 0.001) and uric acid (P < 0.001) were observed between groups of TLS patients with and without increased creatinine. Laboratory analysis showed that older age was associated with a higher level of creatinine. Calcium level was notably lower in males. WBC count, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine levels were significantly higher in T-ALL subgroup, whereas procalcitonin level was higher in B-ALL children. Older age, infant, a higher level of WBC and T-ALL were risk factors TLS occurrence. Hyperleukocytosis has an impact on the severity of TLS, while renal injury may be an important feature in the process of TLS.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of low-dose rasburicase in critically ill children with haematological malignancies.

Background The recommended dose of rasburicase is quite expensive, thus limiting its use. Whether a lower dose of rasburicase would be equally effective for critically ill children, who often have more complicated situations and a higher risk of hospital death, is still unknown. Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of low-dose rasburicase in critically ill children with haematological malignancies who are at high risk of tumour lysis syndrome. Setting A single-centre retrospective cohort study. Method Children with haematological malignancies who had a history of rasburicase exposure during an intensive care unit stay were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to the initial dosage of rasburicase: the standard-dose group (> 0.1 mg/kg/day) and the low-dose group (≤ 0.1 mg/kg/day). The adverse events and short-term prognosis of the two groups were compared. Results Thirty-seven children were selected, 22 in the standard-dose group and 15 in the low-dose group. The most common tumour type was Burkitt's lymphoma (81%), followed by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (11%). All patients were at high risk of tumour lysis syndrome, and 73% of them had 3 or more tumour lysis syndrome risk factors. The uric acid levels of 90% of patients with hyperuricaemia returned to the normal range within 12 h (100% in the standard-dose group and 75% in the low-dose group, P = 0.083). Eighty-four percent of patients presented serious complications, including tumour lysis syndrome (73%), acute kidney injury (59%), renal replacement treatment (24%), respiratory failure (24%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (16%) and heart failure (11%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of serious complications between the two groups. The overall 7-day and 28-day survival rates after intensive care unit admission were 86% and 84%, respectively. The average length of stay in the intensive care unit was 9.92 ± 5.13 days. Neither the short-term mortality nor the length of stay in the intensive care unit were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion Low-dose rasburicase is effective and may be an acceptable choice for critically ill children with haematological malignancies.

Tumor lysis syndrome as a risk factor for very early mortality in HIV-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A 10-year single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Despite the effectiveness of combination antiretroviral therapy, persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHIV) remain at a high risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We aimed to analyze the demographics and outcomes of the HIV-associated NHLs. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2014, PLWHIV with NHLs were retrospectively enrolled at a tertiary referral center. Characteristics and survival were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-two HIV-associated NHLs were identified, with a median follow-up of 14 months (range, 0.1-139.7), including eight diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs), eight primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs), and six Burkitt's lymphomas (BLs). Nine patients (40.9%) were diagnosed with NHLs and HIV infection concurrently. The prognosis of DLBCL patients tended to be better prognosis than that of BL and PCNSL patients (median overall survival: not reached vs. 3.5 months, p = 0.056). Very early mortality (death within 14 days after NHL diagnosis) was noted in five patients (22.7%), and tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a predictive factor for very early mortality among PLWHIV (hazard ratio:11.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-114.4, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Management of the early treatment phase of HIV-associated NHLs remains a major challenge. Careful intervention to patients with TLS might be the key to improve treatment outcomes.

Emergencies in haematology: tumour lysis syndrome.

Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) is a significant complication of haematologic malignancies and their management. The syndrome consists of laboratory abnormalities either alone (laboratory TLS) or with clinical sequelae including renal failure, seizures, and arrhythmias (clinical TLS). Clinical TLS is a predictor for worse overall morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, but can be prevented. Thus, accurate prognostication is critical to appropriate management of patients at risk for TLS, and incorporates both disease factors (tumour type and burden) and patient factors (baseline renal insufficiency or hyperuricaemia). Strategies to prevent TLS include hydration and allopurinol in low- and intermediate-risk patients and rasburicase in high-risk patients.

Advanced Burkitt Lymphoma in Sub-Saharan Africa Pediatric Units: Results of the Third Prospective Multicenter Study of the Groupe Franco-Africain d'Oncologie Pédiatrique.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of an intensive polychemotherapy regimen for Burkitt lymphoma (BL) in sub-Saharan African pediatric centers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children with advanced-stage BL (stages II bulky, III, and IV) treated with the GFAOP-Lymphomes Malins B (GFALMB) 2009 protocol in 7 centers between April 2009 and September 2015 were prospectively registered. Treatment regimen contained a prephase with cyclophosphamide followed by 2 induction courses (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, high-dose methotrexate [HDMTX]), 2 consolidation courses (cytarabine, HDMTX), and a maintenance phase only for stage IV. HDMTX was given at the dose of 3 g/m2. RESULTS: Four hundred patients were analyzed: 7% had stage II bulky, 76% stage III, and 17% stage IV disease. Median age was 7.3 years, and sex ratio was 1.9:1 (male:female). A total of 221 patients received the whole protocol treatment and 195 achieved complete remission (CR), 11 of them after a second-line treatment. Treatment abandonment rate was 22%. One hundred twenty-five patients died, of whom 49 deaths were related to treatment toxicity. A total of 275 patients are alive, including 25 despite treatment abandonment, but only 110 are known to be in CR with a follow-up > 1 year, indicating a high rate of loss to follow-up. Twelve-month overall survival (OS) was 60% (95% CI, 54% to 66%) and 63%, 60%, and 31%, respectively, for stage II bulky, III, and IV. Patients with stage III disease who started second induction course within 34 days had OS of 76%, versus 57% (P = .0062) beyond 34 days. CONCLUSION: The GFA-LMB2009 protocol improved patients' survival. Early dose intensity of treatment is a strong prognostic factor. Improving supportive care and decreasing loss to follow-up are crucial.

Intensive care unit admission in patients with T cell lymphomas: clinical features and outcome.

T cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (T-NHLs) are aggressive malignancies which have a high risk of life-threatening complications. However, their prognosis in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting has not yet been assessed. We conducted a study including 87 ICU patients either with newly diagnosed T-NHLs or those undergoing first-line therapy admitted between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2014. The primary subtypes were peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) (n = 41, 47%), anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) (n = 13, 15%), and adult T-leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) (n = 11, 13%). Six in every ten patients had malignancy-related complications (haemophagocytic syndrome 37%, tumour lysis syndrome 18% and hypercalcaemia 9%), while infections accounted for one quarter of ICU admissions. Nine fungal infections were documented, including six invasive aspergillosis. Urgent chemotherapy was started in the ICU in 59% of the patients, and urgent surgery was required in 13%. ICU and day-90 mortality were 22% and 41%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that SOFA score at day 1, age, sepsis and haemophagocytic syndrome were independent predictors of day-90 mortality. Compared to 66 ICU-matched controls with non-Hodgkin B cell lymphomas, patients with T-NHLs had a similar ICU survival. Overall survival rates of patients with T cell NHLs and B cell NHLs were 20% and 46%, respectively (hazard ratio for death associated with T cell NHLs 2.00 [1.12-3.58]). Patients with T cell NHLs had a very poor long-term outcome. Although the high rate of short-term survival suggests that an ICU trial is a reasonable option for patients newly diagnosed for the malignancy, extended stay in the ICU or further readmission should be considered only for highly selected patients who respond to the haematological treatment.

Urate oxidase for the prevention and treatment of tumour lysis syndrome in children with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) is a serious complication of malignancies and can result in renal failure or death. Previous reviews did not find clear evidence of benefit of urate oxidase in children with cancer. This review is the second update of a previously published Cochrane review. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects and safety of urate oxidase for the prevention and treatment of TLS in children with malignancies. SEARCH METHODS: In March 2016 we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL. In addition, we searched the reference lists of all identified relevant papers, trials registers and other databases. We also screened conference proceedings and we contacted experts in the field and the manufacturer of rasburicase, Sanofi-aventis. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT) of urate oxidase for the prevention or treatment of TLS in children under 18 years with any malignancy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted trial data and assessed individual trial quality. We used risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous data and mean difference (MD) for continuous data. MAIN RESULTS: We included seven trials, involving 471 participants in the treatment groups and 603 participants in the control groups. No new studies were identified in the update. One RCT and five CCTs compared urate oxidase and allopurinol. Three trials tested Uricozyme, and three trials tested rasburicase for the prevention of TLS.The RCT did not evaluate the primary outcome (incidence of clinical TLS). It showed no clear evidence of a difference in mortality (both all-cause mortality (Fisher's exact test P = 0.23) and mortality due to TLS (no deaths in either group)), renal failure (Fisher's exact test P = 0.46), and adverse effects between the treatment and the control groups (Fisher's exact test P = 1.0). The frequency of normalisation of uric acid at four hours (10 out of 10 participants in the treatment group versus zero out of nine participants in the control group, Fisher's exact test P < 0.001) and area under the curve of uric acid at four days (MD -201.00 mg/dLhr, 95% CI -258.05 mg/dLhr to -143.95 mg/dLhr; P < 0.00001) were significantly better in the treatment group.One CCT evaluated the primary outcome; no clear evidence of a difference was identified between the treatment and the control groups (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.33; P = 0.34). Pooled results of three CCTs showed significantly lower mortality due to TLS in the treatment group (RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.89; P = 0.04); no clear evidence of a difference in all-cause mortality was identified between the groups (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.01 to 3.42; P = 0.26). Pooled results from five CCTs showed significantly lower incidence of renal failure in the treatment group (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.89; P = 0.03). Results of CCTs also showed significantly lower uric acid in the treatment group at two days (three CCTs: MD -3.80 mg/dL, 95% CI -7.37 mg/dL to -0.24 mg/dL; P = 0.04), three days (two CCTs: MD -3.13 mg/dL, 95% CI -6.12 mg/dL to -0.14 mg/dL; P = 0.04), four days (two CCTs: MD -4.60 mg/dL, 95% CI -6.39 mg/dL to -2.81 mg/dL; P < 0.00001), and seven days (one CCT: MD -1.74 mg/dL, 95% CI -3.01 mg/dL to -0.47 mg/dL; P = 0.007) after therapy, but not one day (three CCTs: MD -3.00 mg/dL, 95% CI -7.61 mg/dL to 1.60 mg/dL; P = 0.2), five days (one CCT: MD -1.02 mg/dL, 95% CI -2.24 mg/dL to 0.20 mg/dL; P = 0.1), and 12 days (one CCT: MD -0.80 mg/dL, 95% CI -2.51 mg/dL to 0.91 mg/dL; P = 0.36) after therapy. Pooled results from three CCTs showed higher frequency of adverse effects in participants who received urate oxidase (RR 9.10, 95% CI 1.29 to 64.00; P = 0.03).Another included RCT, with 30 participants, compared different doses of rasburicase (0.2 mg/kg versus 0.15 mg/kg). The primary outcome was not evaluated. No clear evidence of a difference in mortality (all-cause mortality (Fisher's exact test P = 1.0) and mortality due to TLS (no deaths in both groups)) and renal failure (no renal failure in both groups) was identified. It demonstrated no clear evidence of a difference in uric acid normalisation (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.28; P = 0.49) and uric acid level at four hours (MD 8.10%, 95% CI -0.99% to 17.19%; P = 0.08). Common adverse events of urate oxidase included hypersensitivity, haemolysis, and anaemia, but no clear evidence of a difference between treatment groups was identified (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.12 to 2.48; P = 0.42).The quality of evidence ranks from very low to low because of imprecise results, and all included trials were highly susceptible to biases. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Although urate oxidase might be effective in reducing serum uric acid, it is unclear whether it reduces clinical TLS, renal failure, or mortality. Adverse effects might be more common for urate oxidase compared with allopurinol. Clinicians should weigh the potential benefits of reducing uric acid and uncertain benefits of preventing mortality or renal failure from TLS against the potential risk of adverse effects.

Investigation on treatment strategy, prognostic factors, and risk factors for early death in elderly Taiwanese patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

This study aimed to investigate the treatment strategy, prognostic factors, and risk factors of early death in elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the rituximab era. Data from elderly patients diagnosed with DLBCL between 2008 and 2014 were collected for analysis. Patients who were younger and had a better performance status were more likely to receive intensive frontline treatment. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were 15 and 21 months, respectively. Anthracycline-containing chemotherapy achieved a higher remission rate and showed a trend towards better overall survival but a higher risk of severe neutropenia. Multivariate analysis revealed that very old age (≥81 years), a high-risk age-adjusted international prognostic index (aaIPI) score, and bone marrow involvement were associated with poorer PFS and overall survival. Progression of lymphoma was the major cause of death in the study population. In addition, approximately 25% of patients died within 120 days of being diagnosed. The risk factors for early mortality included very old age, a high-risk aaIPI score, and bone marrow involvement. The appearance of symptoms or signs of tumour lysis syndrome at diagnosis was associated with a trend towards early death.

Síndrome de lisis tumoral en neoplasias sólidas: características clínicas y pronóstico / Tumor lysis syndrome in solid tumors: clinical characteristics and prognosis

Introducción y objetivos: El síndrome de lisis tumoral (SLT) es una complicación poco frecuente en neoplasias sólidas tras el inicio de tratamiento, y su desarrollo espontáneo (SLTE) es excepcional. En este estudio se analizan las principales características clínicas y pronósticas de una serie de casos con SLT y SLTE. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo observacional que incluyó a todos los pacientes con neoplasias sólidas diagnosticados de SLT y SLTE en nuestro hospital en un período de 16 años, siguiendo los criterios de Cairo-Bishop. Resultados: Se incluyeron 19 pacientes (edad media 63 ± 16 años): 10 pacientes (53%) presentaban SLT y 9 (47%) SLTE. En 8 casos (42%) el tumor primario fue de pulmón. Todos los pacientes presentaban deterioro grave de función renal en el momento del diagnóstico, asociándose con hiperuricemia (16 ± 6 mg/dl) e hiperpotasemia (6 ± 0,9 mmol/l). A pesar del tratamiento con sueroterapia, alcalinización y rasburicasa, 3 pacientes (16%) requirieron tratamiento dialítico y 12 (63%) acabaron falleciendo durante el ingreso. Conclusiones: El desarrollo de SLT en neoplasias sólidas se asocia a una elevada mortalidad, por lo que es necesario un alto índice de sospecha para el diagnóstico e inicio precoz de tratamiento (AU)

Introduction and objective: Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) is an uncommon complication in solid tumors following treatment initiation, and its spontaneous development (STLS) is exceptional. In this study, we analyse the main clinical and prognostic features of a case series with TLS and STLS. Material and methods: Observational retrospective study in which we included all patients with solid tumours diagnosed with TLS and STLS over a period of 16 years, according to Cairo-Bishop criteria. Results: Nineteen patients were included in the study (mean age 63 ± 16 years): 10 patients (53%) with TLS, and 9 (47%) STLS. The primary tumour in 8 cases (42%) was lung cancer. All patients had severe renal impairment at the time of diagnosis along with hyperuricemia (16 ± 6 mg/dl) and hyperkalemia (6 ± 0.9 mmol/l). Despite treatment with intravenous fluids, urinary alkalinisation and rasburicase, 3 patients (16%) required dialysis, and 12 (63%) died during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The development of TLS in solid tumors is associated with increased mortality and therefore, a high index of suspicion is essential for early diagnosis and treatment initiation (AU)

Impact of dialysis requirement on outcomes in tumor lysis syndrome.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life threatening emergency due to destruction and massive release of intracellular metabolites from cancer cells often resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI), sometimes severe enough to require dialysis (AKI-D). The impact of dialysis requirement in AKI has not been explored. We utilized data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, diagnoses codes for TLS, AKI and dialysis, evaluated the incidence, risk factors and impact of AKI-D on mortality, adverse discharge and length of stay (LOS). Survey multivariable logistic regression was used to compute adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR and 95% confidence intervals (CI). An estimated 12% (2,919) of all TLS hospitalizations (n = 22 875) develop AK-D. After adjustment for confounders, AKI-D was associated with greater odds of mortality (aOR 1.98; (95% CI 1.60-2.45)), adverse discharge (aOR 1.63 (95% CI 1.19-2.24)) and longer LOS (19 vs 14.6 days; P < 0.01) compared with those without AKI-D. Further studies to evaluate the association of AKI-D on long-term outcomes in patients with TLS are needed.

Tumor lysis syndrome in solid tumors: Clinical characteristics and prognosis. / Síndrome de lisis tumoral en neoplasias sólidas: características clínicas y pronóstico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) is an uncommon complication in solid tumors following treatment initiation, and its spontaneous development (STLS) is exceptional. In this study, we analyse the main clinical and prognostic features of a case series with TLS and STLS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational retrospective study in which we included all patients with solid tumours diagnosed with TLS and STLS over a period of 16 years, according to Cairo-Bishop criteria. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were included in the study (mean age 63±16 years): 10 patients (53%) with TLS, and 9 (47%) STLS. The primary tumour in 8 cases (42%) was lung cancer. All patients had severe renal impairment at the time of diagnosis along with hyperuricemia (16±6mg/dl) and hyperkalemia (6±0.9mmol/l). Despite treatment with intravenous fluids, urinary alkalinisation and rasburicase, 3 patients (16%) required dialysis, and 12 (63%) died during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The development of TLS in solid tumors is associated with increased mortality and therefore, a high index of suspicion is essential for early diagnosis and treatment initiation.

Therapeutic leukapheresis: 9-year experience in a University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Hyperleucocytosis is associated with higher morbidity and mortality related to possible development of leucostasis, tumour lysis syndrome and/or disseminated intravascular coagulation. There is insufficient evidence of the need for leukocytapheresis during early treatment of hyperleucocytosis, and its efficiency remains controversial, although leucoreduction is a measure that can prevent adverse events and death. The aim of this study was to analyse the safety and effectiveness of therapeutic leukocytapheresis and its influence on early mortality in our case series, adjusted to independent mortality risk factors described in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review (June 2003-June 2012) of procedures carried out for the treatment of hyperleucocytosis at the Haematology and Haemotherapy Service of Miguel Servet University Hospital. The patients' data and technical information were prospectively registered for each leukocytapheresis session. RESULTS: Thirteen patients underwent a total of 27 leukocytapheresis procedures. After an average of two sessions, a statistically significant drop in the initial leucocyte counts was observed (p<0.01), as well as a relevant drop in lactate dehydrogenase levels. The only analytical value statistically related to early mortality in univariate analysis was initial creatinine level greater than 1.2 mg/dL (p=0.012, OR=2.5). DISCUSSION: Despite the small size and limited homogeneity of our case series, we can conclude that leukocytapheresis is a safe and effective therapeutic measure for leucoreduction in haematological pathologies of any lineage, particularly in patients without acute myeloid leukaemia. Patients with acute myeloid leukaemia had worse outcomes within 6 months of having finished leukocytapheresis sessions, as well as in terms of mean global survival and mean time of mortality. However, global mortality rates were similar in patients with or without acute myeloid leukaemia.

Urate oxidase for the prevention and treatment of tumour lysis syndrome in children with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) is a serious complication of malignancies and can result in renal failure or death. Preliminary reports suggest that urate oxidase is effective in reducing serum uric acid, the build-up of which causes TLS. It is uncertain whether high-quality evidence exists to support its routine use in children with malignancies. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects and safety of urate oxidase for the prevention and treatment of TLS in children with malignancies. SEARCH METHODS: This is an update of the original review. We performed a comprehensive search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (in The Cochrane Library issue 1, 2013), MEDLINE (1966 to February 2013), Embase (1980 to February 2013), and CINAHL (1982 to February 2013). In addition, we searched the reference lists of all identified relevant papers. We also explored other internet sources (updated search on 26 February 2013): the NHS' National Research Register, the US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register, the metaRegister of Controlled Trials, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Database. We also screened conference proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the European Society for Medical Oncology, and the International Society of Paediatric Oncology meetings from 1993 to 2012. Finally, we contacted experts in the field and the manufacturer of rasburicase, Sanofi-aventis. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT) of urate oxidase for the prevention or treatment of TLS in children under 18 years with any malignancy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted trial data and assessed individual trial quality. We used risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous data and mean difference (MD) for continuous data. MAIN RESULTS: We included seven trials, involving 471 participants in the treatment groups and 603 participants in the control groups. One RCT and five CCTs compared urate oxidase and allopurinol. Three trials tested Uricozyme, and three trials tested rasburicase for the prevention of TLS.The RCT showed no significant difference in mortality (both all-cause mortality and mortality due to TLS), renal failure, and adverse effects between the treatment and the control groups. The frequency of normalisation of uric acid at four hours (Fisher's exact test P < 0.001) and area under curve of uric acid at four days (MD -201.00 mg/dLhr, 95% confidence interval (CI) -258.05 mg/dLhr to -143.95 mg/dLhr; P < 0.00001) were significantly better in the treatment group. The trial did not evaluate the primary outcome (incidence of clinical TLS).Pooled results of three CCTs showed significantly lower mortality due to TLS in the treatment group (RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.89; P = 0.04); all-cause mortality was not significantly different between the groups. Pooled results from five CCTs showed significantly lower incidence of renal failure in the treatment group (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.89; P = 0.03). Results of CCTs also showed significantly lower uric acid in the treatment group at two days (three CCTs), three days (two CCTs), four days (two CCTs), and seven days (one CCT) after therapy, but not one day (three CCTs), five days (one CCT), and 12 days (one CCT) after therapy. Pooled results from three CCTs showed higher frequency of adverse effects in participants who received urate oxidase (RR 9.10, 95% CI 1.29 to 64.00; P = 0.03). One CCT evaluated the primary outcome; no significant difference was identified.Another included RCT, with 30 participants, compared different doses of rasburicase (0.2 mg/kg versus 0.15 mg/kg), which demonstrated no significant difference in uric acid normalisation and uric acid level at four hours). Common adverse events of urate oxidase included hypersensitivity, haemolysis, and anaemia, but no significant difference between treatment groups was identified. No significant difference in mortality (all-cause mortality and mortality due to TLS) and renal failure was identified. The primary outcome was not evaluated.All included trials were highly susceptible to biases. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Although urate oxidase might be effective in reducing serum uric acid, it is unclear whether it reduces clinical tumour lysis syndrome, renal failure, or mortality. Adverse effects might be more common for urate oxidase compared with allopurinol. Clinicians should weigh the potential benefits of reducing uric acid and uncertain benefits of preventing mortality or renal failure from TLS against the potential risk of adverse effects.

Onco-nephrology: tumor lysis syndrome.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) describes the clinical and laboratory sequelae that result from the rapid release of intracellular contents of dying cancer cells. It is characterized by the release of potassium, phosphorous, and nucleic acids from cancer cells into the blood stream, with the potential to cause hyperkalemia; hyperphosphatemia and secondary hypocalcemia; hyperuricemia; AKI; and, should usual homeostatic mechanisms fail, death. TLS most commonly follows treatment of hematologic malignancies, such as acute lymphocytic or lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and Burkitt lymphoma, but also occurs after treatment of other bulky or rapidly growing tumors, particularly if the patient is highly sensitive to the effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Prevention and treatment depend on prompt recognition of patients at risk, volume repletion, allopurinol, rasburicase (a novel recombinant urate oxidase), and, when indicated, dialysis.

Urate oxidase for the prevention and treatment of tumor lysis syndrome in children with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a serious complication of malignancies and can result in renal failure or death. Preliminary reports suggest that urate oxidase is highly effective in reducing serum uric acid. It is uncertain whether high quality evidence exists to support its routine use in children with malignancies. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of urate oxidase in the prevention and treatment of TLS in children with malignancies. SEARCH STRATEGY: We performed a comprehensive search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library issue 2, 2009), MEDLINE (1966 to 2009), EMBASE (1980 to 2009) and CINAHL (1982 to 2009). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT) evaluating urate oxidase for the prevention or treatment of TLS in children under 18 years with any malignancy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted trial data and assessed individual trial quality. We used relative risk (RR) for binary data and mean difference (MD) for continuous data. MAIN RESULTS: We included five trials, involved 336 patients in the treatment groups and 458 patients in the control groups. One RCT and three CCTs compared urate oxidase and allopurinol. Two trials tested Uricozyme and two tested rasburicase for the prevention of TLS. The RCT showed no significant difference in mortality or renal failure between the treatment and the control groups. The frequency of normalization of uric acid (RR 19.09, 95% CI 1.28 to 285.41) and area under curve of uric acid (MD -201, 95% CI to -258.05 to -143.95) were significantly better in the treatment group. One patient developed hemolysis. One CCT reported significantly lower mortality due to TLS (RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.89) and lower incidence of renal failure (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.35) in the treatment group. Another CCT found significantly lower uric acid in the treatment group at 72 hours (MD -98.33, 95% CI -170.66 to -26) and 168 hours (MD -103.67, 95% CI -179.00 to -28.34). All included trials are highly susceptible to biases.Another included RCT with 30 patients compared different doses of rasburicase (0.2 mg/kg versus 0.15 mg/kg), which demonstrated similar efficacy in the reduction of uric acid. Adverse events occurred in 20% of patients, including hemolysis, hypersensitivity and anemia. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Although urate oxidase might be effective in reducing serum uric acid, it is still unclear whether this translates into a reduction in mortality or renal failure. Clinicians should weigh the potential benefits of reducing uric acid and uncertain benefits of preventing renal failure or mortality from TLS against the potential risk of adverse effects.

Prognostic significance of acute renal injury in acute tumor lysis syndrome.

Acute tumor lysis syndrome (ATLS) caused by the destruction of malignant cells leads to metabolic abnormalities, which may either remain isolated (biological ATLS) or subsequently lead to renal dysfunction (clinical ATLS). We compared hospital and 6-month survival in patients with ATLS with hematological malignancies with or without acute renal injury. Sixty-three patients (median age, 50 years; range, 32-64) were included with ATLS. Twenty-eight had no ARI (including 17 (61%) who subsequently required dialysis) whereas 35 had an ATLS-related ARI (including 31 (89%) who required dialysis). Acute leukemia (n = 28) and lymphoma (n = 30) were the main malignancies. All patients had high tumor burdens. Hospital and 6-month mortality rates were significantly lower in patients without ARI (7% and 21%, respectively) than in the ATLS-related renal injury group (51% and 66%). After adjustment for acute disease severity, presence of ARI at ICU admission was associated with higher hospital mortality (odds ratio, 10.41; 95% confidence interval, 2.01-19.170; p = 0.005) and 6-month mortality (odds ratio, 5.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.64-54.66; p = 0.006), compared to patients without renal injury. Our study suggests that in patients with ATLS, ICU management when acute renal injury is present is associated with higher short- and long-term mortality.

Role of serum sodium in assessing hospital mortality in cancer patients with spontaneous tumour lysis syndrome inducing acute uric acid nephropathy.

Spontaneous tumour lysis syndrome (STLS) inducing acute uric acid nephropathy, a rare and neglected disease, presents more insidiously than conventional post-treatment tumour lysis syndrome. Although STLS is a serious and potentially fatal complication in patients with neoplastic disorders, few investigations have addressed the relevance of clinical and laboratory features in assessing prognosis. A retrospective study was conducted, reviewing the records of all patients who developed acute renal failure (ARF) at Chang Gung memorial hospital between 1 July 1999 and 30 June 2003. STLS-induced acute uric acid nephropathy was identified in 12 of 1072 ARF patients (1.1%) during the study period. All patients had advanced stage tumours with large tumour burden, and 66.7% of cases had abdominal organ involvement. All 12 hyperuricemic patients became oliguric despite conservative therapy, and remained hyperuricemic (21.6 +/- 5.2 mg/dl) before dialysis therapy. Diuresis developed in eight patients (66.7%), with associated resolution of hyperuricemia, azotemia and metabolic derangements following dialysis initiation. Overall hospital mortality was 58.3%. Death in most patients was related to hyponatremia and hypoalbuminemia on admission. The serum sodium was found to have the best Youden index (0.86) and highest overall prediction accuracy (93%). Moreover, serum sodium and serum albumin for individual patients were significantly and positively correlated (r = 0.617, p = 0.032). This investigation confirms a grave prognosis for cancer patients with STLS inducing acute uric acid nephropathy. Hyponatremia and hypoalbuminemia on the first day of admission indicate poor prognosis in such patients.