Ankle movement alterations during gait in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia with suspected peripheral mononeuropathy. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral neuropathy due to chemotherapeutic drugs causes alterations in ankle movement during gait. This study aimed to describe the spatiotemporal parameters and ankle kinematics during gait in schoolchildren with acute lymphoblastic leukemia with clinically suspected peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: In children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the maintenance phase, we calculated spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters of the ankle during gait using Kinovea® software. Furthermore, we identified alterations in the parameters obtained considering the values of the normality data from a stereophotogrammetry system as the reference values. Finally, we represented the kinematic parameters of the ankles calculated with Kinovea® compared to the normality values of the stereophotogrammetry. FINDINGS: We evaluated 25 schoolchildren; 13 were male (52.0%) with a median age of 88.0months and a median of 60.0 weeks in the maintenance phase, and 54.8% were classified as standard risk. Spatiotemporal parameters: cadence (steps/min), bilateral step length (m), and average gait speed (m/s) in ALL children were significantly lower than reference values (p < 0.001). Except for right mid-stance and bilateral foot strike, initial swing showed that both ankles maintained plantar flexion values during gait, significantly lower in ALL patients (p < 0.05). INTERPRETATION: We identified spatiotemporal and kinematics alterations in schoolchildren with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during all phases of the gait suggestive of alteration in ankle muscles during movement, probably due to peripheral neuropathy; nevertheless, our results should be taken with caution until the accuracy and reliability of Kinovea® software as a diagnostic test compared to the stereophotogrammetric system in children with ALL and healthy peers is proven.

Infiltración del nervio óptico como forma inicial de recaída de la leucemia linfoblástica aguda / Optic nerve infiltration as an initial form of relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Introducción: La infiltración del nervio óptico como forma inicial de recaída de la leucemia linfoblástica aguda es rara, aunque altamente indicativa de que el sistema nervioso central está involucrado. Objetivo: Actualizar el conocimiento sobre infiltración del nervio óptico como forma inicial de recaída de la leucemia linfoblástica aguda. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de las publicaciones más relevantes relacionadas con el tema durante los últimos años. La búsqueda y la localización de la información se apoyaron en la elección de palabras clave/descriptores que configuraron el perfil de búsqueda. Se utilizó el MeSH Database de PubMed. Se realizó una extensa revisión en Google Académico y otros megabuscadores de revisión sistemática mediante TripDatabase y Cochrane. Conclusiones: La infiltración directa de células tumorales y las alteraciones hematológicas propias de la enfermedad constituyen los mecanismos fundamentales de la fisiopatogenia. El edema del disco óptico es su signo oftalmoscópico más distintivo. La imagen por resonancia magnética de cráneo, el análisis citológico del fluido cerebroespinal y la biopsia de médula ósea negativas no deben excluir el diagnóstico. La terapia combinada que incluye la radiación localizada constituye una buena opción de tratamiento. Un número considerable de ojos recuperan su agudeza visual y muestran resolución del cuadro infiltrativo(AU)

Introduction: Optic nerve infiltration as an initial form of relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is rare, although it is highly indicative of central nervous system involvement. Objective: To update the knowledge about optic nerve infiltration as an initial form of relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods: A review of the most relevant publications related to the subject during the last years was carried out. The search and localization of information was supported by the choice of keywords/descriptors that configured the search profile. The MeSH Database of PubMed was used. An extensive review was performed in Google Scholar and other systematic review mega search engines using TripDatabase and Cochrane. Conclusions: Direct tumor cell infiltration and disease-specific hematologic alterations are the fundamental mechanisms of pathophysiology. Optic disc edema is the most distinctive ophthalmoscopic sign. Negative cranial magnetic resonance imaging, cytologic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow biopsy should not exclude the diagnosis. Combination therapy including localized radiation is a good treatment option. A considerable number of eyes recover visual acuity and show resolution of the infiltrative picture(AU)

Impact of Risk-Stratified Therapy on Health Status in Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have identified that survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) report poor health status. It is unknown how risk-stratified therapy impacts the health status of ALL survivors. METHODS: We estimated and compared the prevalence of self-reported poor health status among adult (≥18 years) survivors of childhood ALL diagnosed at age <21 years from 1970 to 1999 and sibling controls, excluding proxy reports. Therapy combinations defined treatment groups representative of 1970s therapy (70s), standard- and high-risk 1980s and 1990s therapy (80sSR, 80sHR, 90sSR, 90sHR), and relapse/bone marrow transplant (R/BMT). Log-binomial models, adjusted for clinical and demographic factors, compared outcomes between groups using prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among 5,119 survivors and 4,693 siblings, survivors were more likely to report poor health status in each domain including poor general health (13.5% vs. 7.4%; PR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.69-2.19). Compared with 70s, 90sSR and 90sHR were less likely to report poor general health (90sSR: PR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57-0.98; 90sHR: PR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39-0.87), functional impairment (90sSR: PR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.42-0.76; 90sHR: PR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.95), and activity limitations (90sSR: 0.61; 95% CI, 0.45-0.83; 90sHR: PR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38-0.91). An added adjustment for chronic conditions in multivariable models partially attenuated 90sSR risk estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Risk-stratified ALL therapy has succeeded in reducing risk for poor general health, functional impairment, and activity limitations among more recent survivors of standard- and high-risk therapy. IMPACT: Future research into the relationship between risk-stratified therapy, health status, and late health outcomes may provide new opportunities to further improve late morbidity among survivors.

Elevated intraocular pressure in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A prospective study.

Most childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) protocols include high-dose steroid therapy. However, the known potential of high-dose steroids to significantly elevate intraocular pressure (IOP) and lead to glaucomatous optic neuropathy has not been intensively investigated in children with ALL. Moreover, as children with ALL do not routinely undergo IOP measurements, the need for IOP monitoring and therapy is unknown. We prospectively measured IOP in 90 children with newly diagnosed ALL attending a tertiary paediatric haematology/oncology centre, at diagnosis and at the middle and end of induction therapy. Ocular hypertension (IOP > 21 mm Hg) at any time point was documented in 64 children (71%), and the prevalence increased during induction. Thirty-six children (40%) had elevated IOP at ALL diagnosis before therapy initiation, and stratification to non-standard ALL was a risk factor. IOP reduction therapy was administered to 13 children (14%); none required surgery. Values normalised in all cases. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, dexamethasone therapy was a significant risk factor for ocular hypertension. High body mass index was an additional risk factor in children with elevated IOP at ALL diagnosis. Routine evaluation of IOP during steroid therapy is very important in children with ALL to ensure early intervention which may prevent permanent ocular damage.

Targeting eIF4F translation complex sensitizes B-ALL cells to tyrosine kinase inhibition.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a kinase whose activation is associated with poor prognosis in pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). These and other findings have prompted diverse strategies for targeting mTOR signaling in B-ALL and other B-cell malignancies. In cellular models of Philadelphia Chromosome-positive (Ph+) B-ALL, mTOR kinase inhibitors (TOR-KIs) that inhibit both mTOR-complex-1 (mTORC1) and mTOR-complex-2 (mTORC2) enhance the cytotoxicity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as dasatinib. However, TOR-KIs have not shown substantial efficacy at tolerated doses in blood cancer clinical trials. Selective inhibition of mTORC1 or downstream effectors provides alternative strategies that may improve selectivity towards leukemia cells. Of particular interest is the eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) complex that mediates cap-dependent translation. Here we use novel chemical and genetic approaches to show that selective targeting of either mTORC1 kinase activity or components of the eIF4F complex sensitizes murine BCR-ABL-dependent pre-B leukemia cells to dasatinib. SBI-756, a small molecule inhibitor of eIF4F assembly, sensitizes human Ph+ and Ph-like B-ALL cells to dasatinib cytotoxicity without affecting survival of T lymphocytes or natural killer cells. These findings support the further evaluation of eIF4F-targeted molecules in combination therapies with TKIs in B-ALL and other blood cancers.

Microenvironmental IL-6 inhibits anti-cancer immune responses generated by cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Cytotoxic chemotherapeutics primarily function through DNA damage-induced tumor cell apoptosis, although the inflammation provoked by these agents can stimulate anti-cancer immune responses. The mechanisms that control these distinct effects and limit immunogenic responses to DNA-damage mediated cell death in vivo are currently unclear. Using a mouse model of BCR-ABL+ B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, we show that chemotherapy-induced anti-cancer immunity is suppressed by the tumor microenvironment through production of the cytokine IL-6. The chemotherapeutic doxorubicin is curative in IL-6-deficient mice through the induction of CD8+ T-cell-mediated anti-cancer responses, while moderately extending lifespan in wild type tumor-bearing mice. We also show that IL-6 suppresses the effectiveness of immune-checkpoint inhibition with anti-PD-L1 blockade. Our results suggest that IL-6 is a key regulator of anti-cancer immune responses induced by genotoxic stress and that its inhibition can switch cancer cell clearance from primarily apoptotic to immunogenic, promoting and maintaining durable anti-tumor immune responses.

Targeting Telomere Biology in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Increased cell proliferation is a hallmark of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and genetic alterations driving clonal proliferation have been identified as prognostic factors. To evaluate replicative history and its potential prognostic value, we determined telomere length (TL) in lymphoblasts, B-, and T-lymphocytes, and measured telomerase activity (TA) in leukocytes of patients with ALL. In addition, we evaluated the potential to suppress the in vitro growth of B-ALL cells by the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat. We found a significantly lower TL in lymphoblasts (4.3 kb in pediatric and 2.3 kb in adult patients with ALL) compared to B- and T-lymphocytes (8.0 kb and 8.2 kb in pediatric, and 6.4 kb and 5.5 kb in adult patients with ALL). TA in leukocytes was 3.2 TA/C for pediatric and 0.7 TA/C for adult patients. Notably, patients with high-risk pediatric ALL had a significantly higher TA of 6.6 TA/C compared to non-high-risk patients with 2.2 TA/C. The inhibition of telomerase with imetelstat ex vivo led to significant dose-dependent apoptosis of B-ALL cells. These results suggest that TL reflects clonal expansion and indicate that elevated TA correlates with high-risk pediatric ALL. In addition, telomerase inhibition induces apoptosis of B-ALL cells cultured in vitro. TL and TA might complement established markers for the identification of patients with high-risk ALL. Moreover, TA seems to be an effective therapeutic target; hence, telomerase inhibitors, such as imetelstat, may augment standard ALL treatment.

Role of Autophagy and Apoptosis in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disease characterized by an excessive number of immature lymphocytes, including immature precursors of both B- and T cells. ALL affects children more often than adults. Immature lymphocytes lead to arrested differentiation and proliferation of cells. Its conventional treatments involve medication with dexamethasone, vincristine, and other anticancer drugs. Although the current first-line drugs can achieve effective treatment, they still cannot prevent the recurrence of some patients with ALL. Treatments have high risk of recurrence especially after the first remission. Currently, novel therapies to treat ALL are in need. Autophagy and apoptosis play important roles in regulating cancer development. Autophagy involves degradation of proteins and organelles, and apoptosis leads to cell death. These phenomena are crucial in cancer progression. Past studies reported that many potential anticancer agents regulate intracellular signaling pathways. METHODS: The authors discuss the recent research findings on the role of autophagy and apoptosis in ALL. RESULTS: The autophagy and apoptosis are widely used in the treatment of ALL. Most studies showed that many agents regulate autophagy and apoptosis in ALL cell models, clinical trials, and ALL animal models. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, activating autophagy and apoptosis pathways are the main strategies for ALL treatments. For ALL, combining new drugs with traditional chemotherapy and glucocorticoids treatments can achieve the greatest therapeutic effect by activating autophagy and apoptosis.

Philadelphia chromosome-positive B-lymphoblastic lymphoma successfully treated with chemotherapy regimen containing imatinib: A rare case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: B-lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-LBL) with BCR/ABL mutation (Ph+ B-LBL) is a rare type of cancer in both childhood and adults. Its clinical manifestations are similar to those of other types lymphoma. However, the targeted therapy can substantially improve the outcome of Ph+ B-LBL. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 19-year-old male with blood type O, Rh+ was admitted into our hospital on August 14, 2018, due to a recurrent fever and hypocytosis for 6 months. DIAGNOSES: Routine blood exam showed pancytopenia. Bone marrow sample flow cytometry (FCM) exam showed abnormal cells were 2.27% of the nucleated cells, and was classified as the abnormal early B-lineage lymphoblastic cells. FISH testing showed the BCR/ABL positive cells were 13.6%. Karyotype analysis showed the 46, XY, t(9;22)(q34;q11). Molecular analysis of BCR/ABL mutation on ABL kinase showed that BCR/ABL T315I mutation. Patient was diagnosed with B-LBL with BCR/ABL mutation (Ph+ B-LBL). INTERVENTIONS: The patient was given chemotherapy with VDPI regimen (Vinorelbine, daunorubicin, prednisone, imatinib). OUTCOMES: The patient achieved complete remission after 2 courses' treatment, followed by one course of clarithromycin regimen and another two courses of VDPI regimen. Patient remains in complete remission as of March 10, 2021. LESSONS: In B-LBL, a BCR/ABL mutation can happen in some of these patients. It is important to guide the pathologist to perform appropriate gene mutation detection, in addition to routine Immunohistochemistry test, to ensure an accurate diagnosis and use the targeted agent for treatment. According to the literature and our results, it seems that intensive chemotherapy plus TKI regimen is effective in inducing complete remission, and allo-SCT should be used as a long-term strategy.

Acute leukemia in pregnancy: a single institutional experience with 21 cases at 10 years and a review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Acute leukemia (AL) occurring in pregnancy is extremely rare, and its treatment is a clinical dilemma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of our hospital from 2010 to 2019. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were diagnosed with AL during pregnancy. Of whom, eighteen had acute myeloid leukemia, and 3 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Six, eight and seven patients were diagnosed during the first, second, and third trimester, respectively. Six of the 21 patients experienced therapeutic abortion and 1 had spontaneous abortion, whereas 9 gave birth to healthy babies (4 through vaginal deliveries and 5 with Caesarean sections). Four babies had been exposed to chemotherapeutic agents, but no congenital malformations were observed. Sixteen patients received chemotherapy, while 4 patients died before chemotherapy and one was discharged after refusing chemotherapy. The complete remission rate of the 10 patients who began chemotherapy immediately after diagnosis was 80%, compared with 66.7% in the 6 patients who started chemotherapy after abortion or delivery. Three remain alive. CONCLUSIONS: In general, initiation of chemotherapy as early as possible may increase the CR rate. Combined with literature data, we proposed that, for patients diagnosed in early and late stages of pregnancy (>30 weeks), elective termination or induced delivery before chemotherapy may be a good choice for better maternal (and fetal) outcome.KEY MESSAGESAcute leukaemia diagnosed in pregnancy is extremely rare, and its treatment is a clinical dilemma.In general, initiation of chemotherapy as early as possible may increase the CR rate.For patients who are diagnosed in the first trimester or late stage of pregnancy (>30 weeks), elective termination or induced delivery before starting chemotherapy may be a good choice for better maternal (and fetal) outcome.

Heart rate response and chronotropic incompetence during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors.

Cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) focusing on analyses of heart rate (HR) responses and chronotropic incompetence (CI) could provide early information about treatment's negative cardiac effects. We examined childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors' HR response during maximal CPET and identified survivors with CI. A total of 250 childhood ALL survivors underwent a CPET on ergocycle to assess their HR response. We used a multiparametric structure of three methods to assess survivors' CI, as follows: 1) age-predicted HRmax (APMHR): failure to achieve 85% of the APMHR at the peak of CPET; 2) HR reserve (HRR): failure to achieve 80% of the HRR at the peak of CPET; and 3) metabolic chronotropic relationship (MCR): failure to reach an MCR slope ratio >0.8 at each stage of the CPET. Among 250 childhood ALL survivors, 216 survivors performed a maximum CPET. We observed that 73 males and 74 females did not achieve their predicted HRmax. We found that 6 survivors did not achieve 85% of their APMHR (80.9 ± 3.9%) and had an MCR below 80% (53.9 ± 13.8%). In addition, 16 survivors did not achieve 80% of their HRR (71.0 ± 7.4%) and among them, 15 survivors had an MCR below 80% (61.0 ± 12.1%). Survivors with CI had a significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness than those without CI. This study shows that survivors are at risk of developing altered HR responses and CI many years after the end of their cancer treatments. These findings highlight the importance of early detection of cardiac damage due to cancer treatments.

Clinical utility of complex assessment with evoked potentials in acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors: comparison of various treatment protocols.

BACKGROUND: One of the greatest success of pediatric hematology is a prominent improvement of survival in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Therefore, special attention needs to be paid to long-term side effects of the treatment such as neurotoxicity. One of the few diagnostic methods that allow an objective assessment of sensory systems are evoked potentials (EP). METHODS: The analyzed group consisted of 167 ALL long-term survivors, aged 4.9-28.4 years, without auditory, visual and sensory deviations. Patients were treated with New York (NY, n = 35), previous modified Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (pBFM, n = 47) and BFM95 (n = 85) protocols. In order to assess the impact of radiotherapy on recorded EP, a joint analysis of NY and pBFM groups was performed. The control group consisted of 35 patients, aged 6-17 years. The analyzed patients underwent a complex assessment with visual EP (VEP), somatosensory EP (SEP) and brainstem auditory EP (BAEP) in accordance with current standards. RESULTS: ALL treatment contributed to the shortening of wave I latency (1.59 vs 1.90, P = 0.003) and prolongation of I-III (2.23 vs 2.04, P = 0.004) and I-V (4.57 vs 4.24, P = 0.002) interwave latencies of BAEP. A significant effect was also noticed in P100 (106.32 vs 101.57, P < 0.001) and N135 (151.42 vs 138.22, P < 0.001) latencies of VEP and N18 amplitude (3.24 vs 4.70, P = 0.007) and P25 latency (21.32 vs 23.39, P < 0.001) of SEP. The distribution of abnormalities between protocols was similar in BAEP (NY - 68.6%, pBFM - 61.7%, BFM95-69.4%, P = 0.650), VEP (NY - 68.6%, pBFM - 42.5%, BFM95-58.3%, P = 0.053) and significantly different for SEP (NY - 62.9%, pBFM - 36.2%, BFM95-53.0%, P = 0.045). The harmful effect of radiotherapy was most clearly marked in numerous disturbances of SEP parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The presented analysis indicates a high frequency of subclinical abnormalities in EP regardless of the analyzed protocol. To our knowledge current study is the largest and one of the most complex research examining the role of EP in ALL patients. The obtained results indicate the possibility of using a single, objective and non-invasive measurement of EP in ALL survivors in order to stratify the risk of developing sensory abnormalities in adulthood.

Biophysical Characterization of the Leukemic Bone Marrow Vasculature Reveals Benefits of Neoadjuvant Low-Dose Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE: Although vascular alterations in solid tumor malignancies are known to decrease therapeutic delivery, the effects of leukemia-induced bone marrow vasculature (BMV) alterations on therapeutic delivery are not well known. Additionally, functional quantitative measurements of the leukemic BMV during chemotherapy and radiation therapy are limited, largely due to a lack of high-resolution imaging techniques available preclinically. This study develops a murine model using compartmental modeling for quantitative multiphoton microscopy (QMPM) to characterize the malignant BMV before and during treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using QMPM, live time-lapsed images of dextran leakage from the local BMV to the surrounding bone marrow of mice bearing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were taken and fit to a 2-compartment model to measure the transfer rate (Ktrans), fractional extracellular extravascular space (νec), and vascular permeability parameters, as well as functional single-vessel characteristics. In response to leukemia-induced BMV alterations, the effects of 2 to 4 Gy low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) on the BMV, drug delivery, and mouse survival were assessed post-treatment to determine whether neoadjuvant LDRT before chemotherapy improves treatment outcome. RESULTS: Mice bearing ALL had significantly altered Ktrans, increased νec, and increased permeability compared with healthy mice. Angiogenesis, decreased single-vessel perfusion, and decreased vessel diameter were observed. BMV alterations resulted in disease-dependent reductions in cellular uptake of Hoechst dye. LDRT to mice bearing ALL dilated BMV, increased single-vessel perfusion, and increased daunorubicin uptake by ALL cells. Consequently, LDRT administered to mice before receiving nilotinib significantly increased survival compared with mice receiving LDRT after nilotinib, demonstrating the importance of LDRT conditioning before therapeutic administration. CONCLUSION: The developed QMPM enables single-platform assessments of the pharmacokinetics of fluorescent agents and characterization of the BMV. Initial results suggest BMV alterations after neoadjuvant LDRT may contribute to enhanced drug delivery and increased treatment efficacy for ALL. The developed QMPM enables observations of the BMV for use in ALL treatment optimization.

EBF1 and Pax5 safeguard leukemic transformation by limiting IL-7 signaling, Myc expression, and folate metabolism.

EBF1 and PAX5 mutations are associated with the development of B progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in humans. To understand the molecular networks driving leukemia in the Ebf1+/-Pax5+/- (dHet) mouse model for B-ALL, we interrogated the transcriptional profiles and chromatin status of leukemic cells, preleukemic dHet pro-B, and wild-type pro-B cells with the corresponding EBF1 and Pax5 cistromes. In dHet B-ALL cells, many EBF1 and Pax5 target genes encoding pre-BCR signaling components and transcription factors were down-regulated, whereas Myc and genes downstream from IL-7 signaling or associated with the folate pathway were up-regulated. We show that blockade of IL-7 signaling in vivo and methotrexate treatment of leukemic cells in vitro attenuate the expansion of leukemic cells. Single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed heterogeneity of leukemic cells and identified a subset of wild-type pro-B cells with reduced Ebf1 and enhanced Myc expression that show hallmarks of dHet B-ALL cells. Thus, EBF1 and Pax5 may safeguard early stage B cells from transformation to B-ALL by limiting IL-7 signaling, folate metabolism and Myc expression.

Quality of life in parents of childhood leukemia survivors. A French Childhood Cancer Survivor Study for Leukemia study.

INTRODUCTION: Our objectives were to assess the quality of life (QoL) of parents of childhood leukemia survivors compared with population norms and to identify the determinants of parents' long-term QoL. METHODS: Parents of minors who had survived childhood leukemia participating in the French LEA cohort (Leucémie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent-French Childhood Cancer Survivor Study for Leukemia) were asked to complete the French version of the WHOQOL-BREF. Results were compared with age- and sex-matched values from a French reference population. Parents' and survivors' characteristics likely to be associated with QoL, long after the child's leukemia diagnosis, were explored using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: We included 487 parents (mean age 42.9 ± 6.0 years, mean follow-up time from diagnosis 7.3 ± 3.3 years). Compared with the reference population, scores for physical health and social relationships for parents of childhood leukemia survivors were significantly lower (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.24 and P < 0.001, effect size = 0.29, respectively) contrary to scores for psychological health which were significantly higher (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.29). Even if health- and cancer-related characteristics were associated with parents' QoL in some dimensions, the only factor associated with each of the three dimensions (social relationships, physical health, and psychological) in the multivariate analysis was the parent's financial situation. CONCLUSIONS: Long after leukemia diagnosis, the parents reported lower scores in the physical health and social relationship domains. Despite the difficulties of actually influencing socioeconomic characteristics, it is important to consider the social situation of each family in the long-term care of survivors and their families.

Anesthesia Exposure during Therapy Predicts Neurocognitive Outcomes in Survivors of Childhood Medulloblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the contribution of anesthesia exposure during treatment for childhood medulloblastoma to neurocognitive outcomes 3 years after tumor diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective study, anesthesia data were abstracted from medical records for 111 patients treated with risk-adapted protocol therapy at St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Neurocognitive testing data were obtained for 90.9% of patients. RESULTS: For the 101 patients (62.4% male) who completed testing, mean age at diagnosis was 10.1 years, and 74.3% were staged to have average-risk disease. Anesthesia exposure during treatment ranged from 1 to 52 events (mean = 19.9); mean cumulative duration per patient was 21.1 hours (range 0.7-59.7). Compared with normative expectations (16%), the group had a significantly greater frequency of at-risk scores (<1 SD) on measures of intelligence (28.7%), attention (35.2%), working memory (26.6%), processing speed (46.7%), and reading (25.8%). Including anesthesia exposure duration to linear regression models accounting for age at diagnosis, treatment intensity, and baseline IQ significantly increased the predicted variance for intelligence (r2 = 0.59), attention (r2 = 0.29), working memory (r2 = 0.31), processing speed (r2 = 0.44), and reading (r2 = 0.25; all P values <.001). CONCLUSIONS: In survivors of childhood medulloblastoma, a neurodevelopmentally vulnerable population, greater exposure to anesthesia significantly and independently predicts deficits in neurocognitive and academic functioning. When feasible, anesthesia exposure during treatment should be reduced.

The effect of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels on cognitive functions in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Introduction. Most childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors develop chronic treatment-related adverse effects several years after the end of the treatment. Regular physical activity and a good cardiorespiratory fitness can decrease the risks of neurological disturbances and increase cognitive function scores. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of good cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels on cognitive functions.Methods. We enrolled 219 survivors of childhood ALL. The participants underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test, neuropsychological tests of executive functions (i.e. verbal fluency, cognitive flexibility, working memory, processing speed) and completed a physical activity questionnaire. We calculated the odds ratio to obtain the preventive fraction of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness levels on cognitive functions.Results. The cohort is 52% male and 48% female. A total of 182 survivors (83%) have a cardiorespiratory fitness below their predicted (<100%). Our analyses show that there is an association between good cardiorespiratory fitness and processing speed (preventive fraction of 70% for dominant hand (p < 0.01) and 65% for non-dominant hand (p < 0.01)) and with cognitive flexibility identified as the category switching measure of the D-KEFS verbal fluency (preventive fraction of 61%; p < 0.05).Conclusion. Good cardiorespiratory fitness and good levels of physical activity were associated to a preventive fraction for most cognitive function parameters measured. Good cardiorespiratory fitness levels were significantly associated with a lower prevalence of deficits in processing speed (i.e., dominant hand and non-dominant hand) and in cognitive flexibility (i.e., category switching) in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors.

Metabolic reprogramming in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The first observations of altered metabolism in malignant cells were made nearly 100 years ago and therapeutic strategies targeting cell metabolism have been in clinical use for several decades.  In this review, we summarize our current understanding of cell metabolism dysregulation in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL). Reprogramming of cellular bioenergetic processes can be expected in the three distinct stages of cALL: at diagnosis, during standard chemotherapy, and in cases of relapse. Upregulation of glycolysis, dependency on anaplerotic energy sources, and activation of the electron transport chain have all been observed in cALL. While the current treatment strategies are tackling some of these aberrations, cALL cells are likely to be able to rewire their metabolism in order to escape therapy, which may contribute to a refractory disease and relapse. Finally, here we focus on novel therapeutic approaches emerging from our evolving understanding of the alterations of different metabolic networks in lymphoblasts.

High prevalence of parent-reported sleep problems in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after induction therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess sleep problems (prevalence and predictors) in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after the most intensive phase of therapy (induction). METHODS: Patients (≥2 years) treated according to the Dutch ALL-11 protocol were included. Sleep was measured using parent-reports and self-reports (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire; CSHQ) and actigraphy. Parental sleep (Medical Outcome Study Sleep Scale) and distress and parenting problems (Distress Thermometer for Parents) were assessed with questionnaires. Z-scores were calculated for total CSHQ scores using age-appropriate scores of healthy Dutch children. The prevalence of sleep problems (defined as a Z-score > 1) in patients with ALL was compared to healthy children (chi-square tests). Actigraphic sleep estimates were collected in healthy Dutch children (n = 86, 2-18 years) for comparison with patients (linear regression). Determinants of parent-reported child sleep (total CSHQ Z-score) were identified with regression models. RESULTS: Responses were collected for 124 patients (response rate 67%), comprising 123 parent-reports, 34 self-reports, and 69 actigraphy assessments. Parents reported sleep problems in 38.0% of the patients compared to 15.2% in healthy children (P < .001). Patients reported fewer sleep problems themselves: 12.1% compared to 15.8% in healthy children (P = .33). Total time in bed (B (95% CI): 22.89 (9.55-36.22)) and total sleep time (B (95% CI):16.30 (1.40-31.19)), as derived from actigraphy, were significantly longer in patients. More parent-reported child sleep problems were predicted by parenting problems, more parental sleep problems, bedroom sharing, and child's sleep medication use (explained variance: 27.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Systematic monitoring of child and parental sleep and implementation of effective interventions may be a gateway to improve quality of survival in pediatric ALL.

Severity of reduced bone mineral density and risk of fractures in long-term survivors of childhood leukemia and lymphoma undergoing guideline-recommended surveillance for bone health.

BACKGROUND: Survivors of childhood leukemia/lymphoma are at increased risk for reduced bone mineral density (BMD). The authors sought to determine the frequency of reduced BMD detected by off-therapy surveillance, factors associated with reduced BMD, and the association of reduced BMD with fractures. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included childhood leukemia/lymphoma survivors attending 2 survivorship clinics who received guideline-recommended BMD surveillance ≥2 years post-therapy with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (from January 1, 2004 to August 31, 2016). Lumbar spine BMD z-scores were height-for-age-adjusted. Low and very low BMD were >1 SD and >2 SDs below norms, respectively. Treatment, chronic conditions, and fractures were abstracted from medical records. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of low BMD with patient/treatment factors and fractures. RESULTS: In total, 542 patients (51.5% female) with a mean age of 15.5 years (range, 4.4-52.2 years) who were 6 years post-therapy (range, 2.0-35.1 years) were evaluated, including 116 who reported post-therapy fractures. Lumbar spine low BMD was identified in 17.2% of survivors, and very low BMD was identified in 3.5% of survivors, but frequencies varied considerably between subgroups; 10.8% of survivors aged 15 to 19 years at diagnosis had very low BMD. In multivariable analyses, older age at diagnosis, white race, and being underweight were significantly associated with low BMD. Survivors with low BMD had greater odds of nondigit fractures (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.7) and specifically long-bone fractures (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.5-4.7). CONCLUSIONS: In this study of childhood leukemia/lymphoma survivors undergoing guideline-recommended dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry surveillance, patients who were older at diagnosis, white, and underweight were at the highest risk for lumbar spine low BMD. Low BMD was associated with a greater risk of fractures, emphasizing the clinical importance of surveillance.