Imaging characterization of paediatric tumours with the neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase fusion transcript.

OBJECTIVES: The neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusion transcript (FT) is a major genetic landmark of infantile fibrosarcoma (IFS) and cellular congenital mesoblastic nephroma (cCMN) but is also described in other tumours. The recent availability of NTRK-targeted drugs enhances the need for better identification. We aimed to describe the anatomic locations and imaging features of tumours with NTRK-FT in children. CASE SERIES: Imaging characteristics of NTRK-FT tumours of 41 children (median age: 4 months; 63% <1 year old; range: 0-188) managed between 2001 and 2019 were retrospectively analysed. The tumours were located in the soft tissues (n = 24, including 19 IFS), kidneys (n = 9, including 8 cCMN), central nervous system (CNS) (n = 5), lung (n = 2), and bone (n = 1). The tumours were frequently deep-located (93%) and heterogeneous (71%) with necrotic (53%) or haemorrhagic components (29%). Although inconstant, enlarged intratumoural vessels were a recurrent finding (70%) with an irregular distribution (63%) in the most frequent anatomical locations. CONCLUSION: Paediatric NTRK-FT tumours mainly occur in infants with very variable histotypes and locations. Rich and irregular intra-tumoural vascularization are recurrent findings. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Apart from IFS of soft tissues and cCMN of the kidneys, others NTRK-FT tumours locations have to be known, as CNS tumours. Better knowledge of the imaging characteristics may help guide the pathological and biological identification.

Pubertal development of transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients in the era of oral chelation with deferasirox: results from the French registry.

Not available.

Hydroxyurea is associated with later onset of acute splenic sequestration crisis in sickle cell disease: Lessons from the European Sickle Cell Disease Cohort-Hydroxyurea (ESCORT-HU) study.

Acute splenic sequestration crisis (ASSC) is a potentially life-threatening complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), typically occurring in young patients under 5 years of age, with a median age at first episode of less than 2 years. Because a beneficial effect of hydroxyurea (HU) on spleen perfusion and splenic function has been suspected, we hypothesized that HU treatment might be associated with later onset of ASSC in patients with SCD. To investigate this hypothesis, we analyzed data from the ESCORT-HU study on a large cohort of patients with SCD receiving HU, enrolled between January 2009 and June 2017 with a follow-up of 7309 patient-years of observation. The median age at ASSC of the 14 patients who experienced a first episode of ASSC during the study period was 8.0 [IQR: 5.0-24.1] years. The median age at HU initiation was significantly lower in these 14 patients (4.8 [IQR: 3.3-18.7] years) compared to the 1664 patients without ASSC (19.9 [8.8-33.4] years, p = .0008). These findings suggest that ASSC may occur at an unusually late age in patients receiving HU, possibly reflecting longer preservation of spleen perfusion and function secondary to early initiation of HU. Further studies are needed to better characterize the effects of HU on spleen perfusion/function and on the occurrence of ASSC in patients with SCD (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02516579; European registry ENCEPP/SDPP/10565).

Prospective validation of an equation based on plasma cystatin C for monitoring the glomerular filtration rate in children treated with cisplatin or ifosfamide for cancer.

We recently proposed an equation to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in children with cancer based on plasma cystatin C and serum creatinine levels together with body weight (the "CysPed equation"). The current clinical study reports a prospective evaluation of this equation in 18 children treated by nephrotoxic chemotherapy. The CysPed equation resulted in less bias and greater precision compared to two equations previously proposed equations by Schwartz, with or without plasma cystatin C. Moreover, the decrease in GFR due to chemotherapy was clearly identified by the CysPed equation. This equation may be used to monitor the renal function in childhood cancer units.

Management and outcomes of adolescent and young adult sarcoma patients: results from the French nationwide database NETSARC.

BACKGROUND: The initial management of patients with sarcoma is a critical issue. We used the nationwide French National Cancer Institute-funded prospective sarcoma database NETSARC to report the management and oncologic outcomes in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) patients with sarcoma at the national level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: NETSARC database gathers regularly monitored and updated data from patients with sarcoma. NETSARC was queried for patients (15-30 years) with sarcoma diagnosed from 2010 to 2017 for whom tumor resection had been performed. We reported management, locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in AYA treated in French reference sarcoma centers (RSC) and outside RSC (non-RSC) and conducted multivariable survival analyses adjusted for classical prognostic factors. RESULTS: Among 3,227 patients aged 15-30 years with sarcoma diagnosed between 2010 and 2017, the study included 2,227 patients with surgery data available, among whom 1,290 AYAs had been operated in RSC, and 937 AYAs in non-RSC. Significant differences in compliance to guidelines were observed including pre-treatment biopsy (RSC: 85.9%; non-RSC 48.1%), pre-treatment imaging (RSC: 86.8%; non-RSC: 56.5%) and R0 margins (RSC 57.6%; non-RSC: 20.2%) (p < 0.001). 3y-OS rates were 81.1% (95%CI 78.3-83.6) in AYA in RSC and 82.7% (95%CI 79.4-85.5) in AYA in non-RSC, respectively. Whereas no significant differences in OS was observed in AYAs treated in RSC and in non-RSC, LRFS and PFS were improved in AYAs treated in RSC compared to AYAs treated in non-RSC (Hazard Ratios (HR): 0.58 and 0.83, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance for AYA patients with sarcoma to be managed in national sarcoma reference centers involving multidisciplinary medical teams with paediatric and adult oncologists.

Late toxicity comparison of alkylating-based maintenance regimen with cyclophosphamide (VAC) vs ifosfamide (VAI) in Ewing sarcoma survivors treated in the randomized clinical trial Euro-EWING99-R1 in France.

In Euro-EWING99-R1 randomized trial, cyclophosphamide was shown to be noninferior to ifosfamide in the consolidation of standard-risk Ewing sarcoma (SR-EWS) after a common induction with VIDE (vincristine-ifosfamide-doxorubicin-etoposide). We present the results of the late effects analysis of VAC (vincristine-dactinomycin-cyclophoshamide) vs VAI (vincristine-dactinomycin-ifosfamide) conducted in Euro-EWING99-R1 French cohort. Of 267 French randomized patients, 204 were alive and free-of-relapse at 5-years including 172 with available long-term follow-up data concerning cardiac, renal and/or gonadal functions (sex-ratio M/F = 1.3, median age at diagnosis = 14 years): 84 randomized in VAC (median cumulative doses: cyclophosphamide = 9.7 g/m2 , ifosfamide = 59.4 g/m2 ) and 88 in VAI (ifosfamide = 97.1 g/m2 ). With a median follow-up of 10 years (range = 5-17), five late relapses and five second malignancies were recorded. The 10-year event-free survival among 5-year free-of-relapse survivors was similar between VAC and VAI (93% vs 95%, P = .63). We estimated the 10-year cumulative probabilities of cardiac and kidney toxicities at 4.4% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.1%-7.6%) and 34.8% (95% CI = 26.8%-42.0%), respectively. Cardiac toxicity cumulative probability was similar in both arms, whereas kidney toxicity was higher in VAI (at 10 years, 43.0% vs 25.7%, P = .02), resulting from significant difference in glomerular toxicity (31.1% vs 13.1%, P < .01). At 10 years, gonadal toxicity was observed in 27% and 28% of pubertal men and women, respectively, without significant difference between VAC and VAI. Kidney and gonadal toxicities represent major issues in Euro-EWING99-R1, with significantly higher risk of kidney toxicities with VAI, without significant gonadal toxicity reduction. These results support the need to limit cumulative doses of both alkylating agents and to use mixed regimen as in VIDE-VAC or VDC/IE (vincristine-doxorubicin-cyclophoshamide/ifosfamide-etoposide).

Challenge and difficulty of diagnosing hemoglobinopathies in newborns: about a case / Enjeu et difficulté du diagnostic des hémoglobinopathies chez le nouveau-né : à propos d'un cas

The diagnosis of hemoglobinopathy is based on a range of arguments: clinic, results of a blood count, the haemoglobin study and possibly a genetic study of the globin chains. The interpretation of these profiles can be complicated, especially in newborns due to the ontogenesis of globin genes. The clinical impact can range from simple microcytosis without anemia to severe anemia requiring iterative transfusions and various clinical symptoms depending on the number and type of chains produced. Knowledge of a hemoglobin pathology remains essential because of the possible transmission and combination of these anomalies to offspring.

Le diagnostic d'une hémoglobinopathie repose sur un faisceau d'arguments : la clinique, les résultats d'une numération formule sanguine, l'étude de l'hémoglobine et éventuellement une étude génétique des chaînes de globines. L'interprétation de ces profils obtenus peut être compliquée, en particulier chez le nouveau-né du fait de l'ontogénèse des gènes de globines. Le retentissement clinique peut aller de la simple microcytose sans anémie à une anémie sévère nécessitant des transfusions itératives et divers symptômes cliniques selon le nombre et le type de chaînes produites. La connaissance d'une pathologie de l'hémoglobine reste néanmoins essentielle du fait de la transmission et de la combinaison possible des anomalies à la descendance.

Risk of vaso-occlusive episodes in patients with sickle cell disease exposed to systemic corticosteroids: a comprehensive review.

INTRODUCTION: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most frequent inherited disorder in the world. It is caused by a single amino acid mutation on the beta-globin chain, which lead to red blood cell deformation, haemolysis, and chronic inflammation. Clinical consequences are vaso-occlusives crisis, acute chest syndrome, thrombosis, infection, and chronic endothelial injury. AREAS COVERED: Corticosteroids are an old therapeutic class, that are inexpensive and widely available, which can be administered in different forms. Their adverse effects are numerous and well-known. This class could appear to be useful in SCD treatment due to its anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, corticosteroids remain an essential therapeutic class for many indications, besides SCD. Although specific adverse effects of corticosteroids have been suspected in SCD patients for decades, recent papers has reported strong evidence of specific and severe adverse effects in this population. Based on a literature review, we will discuss pathophysiological considerations, consequences, and practical use of corticosteroids in SCD. EXPERT OPINION: High corticosteroid doses, for any indication , induce vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, and re-hospitalization in patients with SCD. There is no evidence of any benefits of corticosteroid use in the SCD acute events. Prevention by hydroxyurea and/or red blood cell transfusion or exchange should be discussed when corticosteroid use is indispensable.

The French FRACTURE database: A way to improve knowledge on management of children with very rare tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Very rare pediatric tumors (VRTs), defined by an annual incidence ≤2 per million inhabitants, represent a heterogeneous group of cancers. Due to their extremely low incidence, knowledge on these tumors is scant. Since 2012, the French Very Rare Tumors Committee (FRACTURE) database has recorded clinical data about VRTs in France. This study aims: (a) to describe the tumors registered in the FRACTURE database; and (b) to compare these data with those registered in the French National Registry of Childhood Cancer (RNCE). METHODS: Data recorded in the FRACTURE database between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018 were analyzed. In addition, these data were compared with those of the RNCE database between 2012 and 2015 to evaluate the completeness of the documentation and understand any discrepancies. RESULTS: A total of 477 patients with VRTs were registered in the FRACTURE database, representing 97 histological types. Of the 14 most common tumors registered in the RNCE (772 patients), only 19% were also registered in the FRACTURE database. Total 39% of children and adolescent VRTs registered in the RNCE and/or FRACTURE database (323 of a total of 828 patients) were not treated in or linked to a specialized pediatric oncology unit. CONCLUSION: VRTs represent many different heterogenous entities, which nevertheless account for 10% of all pediatric cancers diagnosed each year. Sustainability in the collection of these rare tumor cases is therefore important, and a regular systematic collaboration between the FRACTURE database and the RNCE register helps to provide a more exhaustive picture of these VRTs and allow research completeness for some peculiar groups of patients.

High-dose chemotherapy followed by whole lung irradiation in pulmonary relapse Ewing's sarcomas: a retrospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Regarding the efficiency of Bu-Mel-based high-dose-chemotherapy (Bu-Mel-HDCT) and whole lung irradiation (WLI), the objective was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of this salvage sequence in Ewing sarcoma (ES) lung relapses. METHODS: All eligible pediatric ES patients (1991-2020) identified in SFCE departments were retrospectively reviewed. Seven patients were (1) diagnosed with a pulmonary relapse, isolated or not, (2) naïve from both HCDT and WLI (3) treated by the salvage sequence of conventional chemotherapy, Bu-Mel-HDCT and WLI. The main endpoint was OS evaluation. WLI toxicities were scored using CTC-V5. RESULTS: With a 13 years median follow-up (FU), 5/7 patients are alive and in complete remission. 10y-EFS is 71.4%. Three patients experienced transitory radio-induced pneumopathy (RIP). A patient developed RIP (gr.3) and finally progressive lung fibrosis leading to death. CONCLUSION: This study reports seven ES patients treated for lung metastatic relapses, using an aggressive strategy, with favorable survival long-term results which should be balanced with the risk of lung toxicity. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The approach of surgery, Bu-Mel HDCT followed by WLI can be discussed in selected ES patients with lung relapse, naive from HDCT or WLI, providing an optimal chemosensitivity. A special vigilance is necessary regarding the incidence rate of lung toxicity which can be mitigated by limiting the radiotherapy dose, and observing optimal timing of radiotherapy after HDCT.

PET metabolic tumor volume as a new prognostic factor in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma.

PURPOSE: Childhood RMS is a rare malignant disease in which evaluation of tumour spread at diagnosis is essential for therapeutic management. F-18 FDG-PET imaging is currently used for initial RMS disease staging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicentre retrospective study in six French university hospitals was designed to analyse the prognostic accuracy of MTV at diagnosis for patients with RMS between 1 January 2007 and 31 October 2017, for overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). MTV was defined as the sum of the primitive tumour and the largest metastasis, where relevant, with a 40% threshold of the primary tumour SUVmax. Additional aims were to define the prognostic value of SUVmax, SUVpeak, and bone lysis at diagnosis. RESULTS: Participants were 101 patients with a median age of 7.4 years (IQR [4.0-12.5], 62 boys), with localized disease (35 cases), regional nodal spread (43 cases), or distant metastases (23). 44 patients had alveolar subtypes. In a univariate analysis, a MTV greater than 200 cm3 was associated with OS (HR = 3.47 [1.79;6.74], p<0.001) and PFS (HR = 3.03 [1.51;6.07], p = 0.002). SUVmax, SUVpeak, and bone lysis also influenced OS (respectively p = 0.005, p = 0.004 and p = 0.007) and PFS (p = 0.029, p = 0.019 and p = 0.015). In a multivariate analysis, a MTV greater than 200 cm3 was associated with OS (HR = 2.642 [1.272;5.486], p = 0.009) and PFS (HR = 2.707 [1.322;5.547], p = 0.006) after adjustment for confounding factors, including SUVmax, SUVpeak, and bone lysis. CONCLUSION: A metabolic tumor volume greater than 200 cm3, SUVmax, SUVpeak, and bone lysis in the pre-treatment assessment were unfavourable for outcome.

SMARCA4-deficient rhabdoid tumours show intermediate molecular features between SMARCB1-deficient rhabdoid tumours and small cell carcinomas of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type.

Extracranial rhabdoid tumours (ECRTs) are an aggressive malignancy of infancy and early childhood. The vast majority of cases demonstrate inactivation of SMARCB1 (ECRTSMARCB1 ) on a background of a remarkably stable genome, a low mutational burden, and no other recurrent mutations. Rarely, ECRTs can harbour the alternative inactivation of SMARCA4 (ECRTSMARCA4 ) instead of SMARCB1. However, very few ECRTSMARCA4 cases have been published to date, and a systematic characterization of ECRTSMARCA4 is missing from the literature. In this study, we report the clinical, pathological, and genomic features of additional cases of ECRTSMARCA4 and show that they are comparable to those of ECRTSMARCB1. We also assess whether ECRTSMARCB1 , ECRTSMARCA4 , and small cell carcinomas of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type (SCCOHT) represent distinct or overlapping entities at a molecular level. Using DNA methylation and transcriptomics-based tumour classification approaches, we demonstrate that ECRTSMARCA4 display molecular features intermediate between SCCOHT and ECRTSMARCB1 ; however, ECRTSMARCA4 appear to be more closely related to SCCOHT by DNA methylation. Conversely, both transcriptomics and DNA methylation show a larger gap between SCCOHT and ECRTSMARCB1 , potentially supporting their continuous separate classification. Lastly, we show that ECRTSMARCA4 display concomitant lack of SMARCA4 (BRG1) and SMARCA2 (BRM) expression at the protein level, similar to what is seen in SCCOHT. Overall, these results expand our knowledge on this rare tumour type and explore the similarities and differences among entities from the 'rhabdoid tumour' spectrum. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Successive Osteosarcoma Relapses after the First Line O2006/Sarcome-09 Trial: What Can We Learn for Further Phase-II Trials?

The purpose was to describe first and subsequent relapses in patients from the OS2006/Sarcome-09 trial, to help future trial design. We prospectively collected and analysed relapse data of all French patients included in the OS2006/Sarcome-09 trial, who had achieved a first complete remission. 157 patients experienced a first relapse. The median interval from diagnosis to relapse was 1.7 year (range 0.5-7.6). The first relapse was metastatic in 83% of patients, and disease was not measurable according to RECIST 1.1 criteria in 23%. Treatment consisted in systemic therapy (74%) and surgical resection (68%). A quarter of the patients were accrued in a phase-II clinical trial. A second complete remission was obtained for 79 patients. Most of them had undergone surgery (76/79). The 3-year progression-free and overall survival rates were 21% and 37%, respectively. In patients who achieved CR2, the 3y-PFS and OS rates were 39% and 62% respectively. Individual correlation between subsequent PFS durations was poor. For osteosarcoma relapses, we recommend randomised phase-II trials, open to patients from all age categories (children, adolescents, adults), not limited to patients with measurable disease (but stratified according to disease status), with PFS as primary endpoint, response rate and surgical CR as secondary endpoints.

Pattern of relapse in pediatric localized extremity rhabdomyosarcomas correlated with locoregional therapies administered.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of extremity rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) includes chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Lymph node irradiation is recommended in the presence of regional node involvement at diagnosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between the pattern of relapse of non-metastatic extremity RMS and the initial therapies delivered. METHODS: All patients with localized extremity RMS prospectively treated in France in the MMT-95 and RMS-05 protocols were selected. Extent of disease and pattern of relapse were evaluated by clinical examination and imaging. RESULTS: We identified 59 patients with clinical characteristics corresponding to unfavorable prognostic factors. Twenty patients (34%) were considered to have lymph node involvement at diagnosis. Regional node biopsy was performed in 32 patients (54%) and modified the lymph node stage in 8 of the 59 patients (14%). Seventy-three percent of patients received radiotherapy. Fifty-two patients achieved first remission. Overall, 26 patients underwent complete tumor resection, 17 had R1 margins, and 5 were not operated due to early tumor progression. With a median follow-up of 82 months (range: 5-287), 18 relapses had occurred, at least locoregional in 12 cases. The 5­year local and nodal control rates were 73% (63-86%) and 86% (77-95%), respectively. Five-year progression-free and overall survival were 57% (95%CI [45-72%]) and 70% (95%CI [58-84%]), respectively. CONCLUSION: The main sites of extremity RMS relapse are locoregional. Nodal failures in non-irradiated fields are not uncommon. We recommend systematic biopsy of in-transit nodes, especially in alveolar RMS and/or RMS with regional positive nodes at diagnosis to ensure their negativity.

SRF-FOXO1 and SRF-NCOA1 Fusion Genes Delineate a Distinctive Subset of Well-differentiated Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) encompasses a heterogenous collection of tumors in which new groups have recently been identified that improved the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. While performing RNA-sequencing in our routine practice, we identified 3 cases of well-differentiated RMS harboring new fusion genes. We also analyzed these tumors through array-comparative genomic hybridization. Clinically, these tumors were deep paraspinal tumors, occurring in neo-nat and young children. The patients underwent resection and adjuvant therapy. At the time of last follow-up (ranging from 12 to 108 mo), they were alive without disease. Histologically, these tumors consisted of well-differentiated rhabdomyoblastic proliferations with nuclear atypia, infiltrative borders, and a specific growth pattern. These tumors harbored new fusion genes involving SRF and either FOXO1 or NCOA1. We compared the expression profiles of these 3 tumors to the expression data of a series of 33 skeletal muscle tumors including embryonal RMSs, alveolar rhandomyosarcomas, RMSs with VGLL2 fusions, RMSs with the myoD1 mutation, EWSR1/FUS-TFCP2 epithelioid and spindle cell RMSs of the bone, and rhabdomyomas with PTCH1 loss. According to clustering analyses, the 3 SRF-fused tumors formed a distinct group with a specific expression profile different from that of the other types of skeletal muscle tumors. Array-comparative genomic hybridization showed a recurrent gain of chromosome 11. These 3 tumors define a new group of RMS associated with a fusion of the SRF gene. FOXO1 rearrangements, usually used to confirm the diagnosis of alveolar RMS and identify poor-outcome RMSs, were identified in a nonalveolar RMS for the first time.

A subset of epithelioid and spindle cell rhabdomyosarcomas is associated with TFCP2 fusions and common ALK upregulation.

Rhabdomyosarcomas with TFCP2 fusions represent an emerging subtype of tumors, initially discovered by RNA-sequencing. We report herein the clinicopathological, transcriptional, and genomic features of a series of 14 cases. Cases were retrospectively and prospectively recruited and studied by immunohistochemistry (MYF4, MYOD1, S100, AE1/E3, ALK), fluorescence in situ hybridization with TFCP2 break-apart probe (n = 10/14), array-comparative genomic hybridization (Agilent), whole RNA-sequencing (Truseq Exome, Illumina), or anchored multiplex PCR-based targeted next-generation sequencing (Archer® FusionPlex® Sarcoma kit). Patient's age ranged between 11 and 86 years, including 5 pediatric cases. Tumors were located in the bone (n = 12/14) and soft tissue (n = 2/14). Most bone tumors invaded surrounding soft tissue. Craniofacial bones were over-represented (n = 8/12). Median survival was 8 months and five patients are currently alive with a median follow-up of 20 months. Most tumors displayed a mixed spindle cell and epithelioid pattern with frequent vesicular nuclei. All tumors expressed keratins and showed a rhabdomyogenic phenotype (defined as expression of MYF4 and/or MYOD1). ALK was overexpressed in all but three cases without underlying ALK fusion on break-apart FISH (n = 5) nor next-generation sequencing (n = 14). ALK upregulation was frequently associated with an internal deletion at genomic level. TFCP2 was fused in 5' either to EWSR1 (n = 6) or FUS (n = 8). EWSR1 was involved in both soft tissue cases. FISH with TFCP2 break-apart probe was positive in all tested cases (n = 8), including one case with unbalanced signal. On array-CGH, all tested tumors displayed complex genetic profiles with genomic indexes ranging from 13 to 107.55 and recurrent CDKN2A deletions. FET-TFCP2 rhabdomyosarcomas clustered together and distinctly from other rhabdomyosarcomas subgroups. Altogether, our data confirm and expand the spectrum of the new family of FET-TFCP2 rhabdomyosarcomas, which are associated with a predilection for the craniofacial bones, an aggressive course, and recurrent pathological features. Their association with ALK overexpression might represent a therapeutic vulnerability.

A multicentric randomized phase II clinical trial evaluating high-dose thiotepa as adjuvant treatment to standard chemotherapy in patients with resectable relapsed osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: The role of high-dose chemotherapy in relapsing osteosarcomas has not been established. We evaluated the efficacy and tolerance of high-dose thiotepa (HDTp) after standard chemotherapy (SCT) in patients with relapsed osteosarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomised open-label phase II study enrolled patients 1-50 years, with local or metastatic relapse of a high-grade osteosarcoma, not progressive after two cycles of SCT, for whom a complete surgery can be achievable following treatment. The trial assigned enrolled patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive two additional courses of SCT + HDTp and autologous transplantation (Arm A), or SCT alone (Arm B). Surgery for complete resection was scheduled as soon as feasible. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Secondary objectives included progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. RESULTS: From September 2009 to November 2016, 44 patients were randomised (A:22; B:22). In total, 54.5% were males, and the median age was 16 years (9-32years). The two-year OS rate was 66.7% (95% CI 42.5-82.5) (SCT + HDTp, Arm A) versus 50.0% (95% CI 28.2-68.4) for SCT alone (Arm B). Median OS was 27.4 and 24.8 months, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] 0.826, 95% CI 0.393-1.734; p = 0.6123). Median PFS was 15.6 (8.9-24.9) months in Arm A versus 7.2 (4.8-33.3) months in Arm B, p = 0.3845. Among the 22 patients treated with SCT + HDTp, 16 (72.7%) experienced at least one grade ≥3 adverse events versus 18/22 (81.8%) patients treated with SCT. No toxic death occurred. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant HDTp failed to significantly improve OS and PFS in resectable relapsed osteosarcomas. Despite a trend of prolonged survival and an acceptable toxicity, thiotepa cannot be recommended. KEY MESSAGE: HDTp and autologous transplantation added to SCT did not improve OS and PFS in patients with resectable relapsed osteosarcomas. Despite a trend of prolonged survival, thiotepa cannot be recommended.

Adapted strategy to tumor response in childhood nasopharyngeal carcinoma: the French experience.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively study survival and long-term morbidities of children with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated by induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation (CRT). The total dose of radiation was adapted to the response following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Children with non-metastatic NPC treated in France between 1999 and 2015 were retrospectively included in the study. The strategy combined neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy, followed by adapted CRT to tumor response. RESULTS: In total, 95 patients (median age 15 years [range, 7-23 years], male-to-female ratio 1.8) with undifferentiated NPC were included; 59% of patients had TNM stage IV. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) was delivered to 57 patients (60%), while the other patients were treated with conformal RT (3D-RT). After a median follow-up of 4.5 years [range, 3.6-5.5 years], 13 relapses and seven deaths had occurred. The 3­year overall and relapse-free survival (RFS) were 94% [95% CI, 85-97%] and 86% [77-92%], respectively. The locoregional failure rate was 6% [95% CI, 2-14]. Long-term treatment-related sequelae of grade 2+ were reported by 37 (50%) patients; odynophagia was significantly reduced treated by IMRT vs. conventional 3D-RT (7% vs. 55%, p = 0.015). Using a reduction dose of 59.4 Gy, 54 Gy, and 45 Gy, respectively, to the primary, involved, and uninvolved neck nodes, after a favorable tumor response, was not associated with an increased locoregional failure rate. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rates for NPC have been considerably improved by means of multimodal therapy, but long-term locoregional morbidity remains common. Use of IMRT may induce less residual odynophagia. Radiation dose reduction adapted to chemotherapy response does not have a negative impact on outcome. These findings support the use of an RT protocol adapted to the tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for a long-lasting improvement in the patient's quality of life.