Treatment completion, asparaginase completion, and oncologic outcomes among children, adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with DFCI Consortium Protocols.

Adolescents and young adult (AYA) patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) face worse outcomes than children. While pediatric-inspired protocols have improved outcomes, the ability of patients to complete these intensive regimens and the reasons for discontinuation are unknown. We analyzed a cohort of 332 AYA patients (aged 15-49 years) and 1159 children (aged 1-14 years) with Ph-negative ALL treated on DFCI consortium protocols. We found that AYA patients completed treatment at lower rates than children (60.8% vs. 89.7%, p < 0.001), primarily due to higher rates of early treatment failure (14.5% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001). Withdrawal from treatment for toxicity, social/personal, or unknown reasons was uncommon, but higher among AYA patients (9.3% vs 4.7%, p = 0.001). Patients who remained on assigned therapy for one year had favorable overall survival (AYA 5-year OS 88.9%; children 5-year OS 96.4%; p < 0.001). Among patients who continued treatment for 1 year, AYA patients completed asparaginase (defined as receiving 26+ weeks) at lower rates than children (79.1% vs. 89.6%, p < 0.001). Patients who received more weeks of consolidation asparaginase had higher overall and event-free survival. Efforts should focus on identifying patients at risk for early treatment failure and optimizing asparaginase delivery.

Measuring neurobehavioral side effects of corticosteroids in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A scoping review.

Corticosteroids are essential to curative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, yet have significant neuropsychiatric side effects that decrease quality of life for patients and families. We conducted a scoping review, following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, to describe the existing measurement tools used to evaluate neurobehavioral side effects of corticosteroids in pediatric ALL. From various databases and registers, 4047 studies were identified. Twenty-four articles met inclusion criteria. Clinical assessment was most used to evaluate these symptoms. Twelve validated measures were identified. Existing data about neuropsychiatric side effects of corticosteroids in pediatric ALL are extremely heterogeneous, creating challenges for standardized assessment and management.

Cancer survivorship programs at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

PURPOSE: We sought to present the current status of survivorship programs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute which include the David B. Perini, Jr. Quality of Life Clinic for survivors of childhood cancer, Stop and Shop Neuro-Oncology Outcomes Clinic for pediatric brain tumor survivors, and Adult Survivorship Program for adult cancer survivors including those diagnosed as adults (age 18 years and older) and adult survivors of childhood cancer, in an effort to share best practices as well as challenges. METHODS: Description of programs and discussion. RESULTS: Our institutional programs are detailed regarding their history and the multidisciplinary approach and both consultative and long-term care delivery models for pediatric and adult cancer survivors, with the goal of meeting the spectrum of survivorship care needs, from diagnosis and management of long-term effects of cancer-directed therapy and surveillance for subsequent cancer, to healthy lifestyle promotion and psychosocial support. Program investigators conduct research to understand the risks and unmet needs of cancer survivors, and to develop and test interventions to improve care delivery and medical and psychosocial outcomes. There are also educational initiatives detailed. CONCLUSIONS: Survivorship programs at Dana-Farber are designed to optimize care and outcomes for cancer survivors including conducting quality improvement initiatives and research to further understand and meet the clinical needs of the large, heterogenous, and growing population cancer survivors into the future. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Programs like ours as well as those ongoing and planned aim to improve the comprehensive care of diverse cancer survivors.

Effect of BMI on toxicities and survival among adolescents and young adults treated on DFCI Consortium ALL trials.

Adolescent and young adults (AYAs) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with asparaginase-containing pediatric regimens are commonly overweight or obese. We studied the association of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes of 388 AYAs aged 15 to 50 years treated on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) consortium regimens (2008-2021). BMI was normal in 207 (53.3%) and overweight/obese in 181 (46.7%). Patients who were overweight or obese experienced higher nonrelapse mortality (NRM; 4-year, 11.7% vs 2.8%, P = .006), worse event-free survival (4-year, 63% vs 77%, P = .003), and worse overall survival (OS; 4-year, 64% vs 83%, P = .0001). Because younger (aged 15-29 years) AYAs more frequently had a normal BMI (79% vs 20%, P < .0001), we conducted separate analyses in each BMI group. We found excellent OS among younger and older (30-50 years) AYAs with normal BMI (4-year OS, 83% vs 85%, P = .89). Conversely, in AYAs who were overweight/obese, worse outcomes were seen in older AYAs (4-year OS, 55% vs 73%, P = .023). Regarding toxicity, AYAs who were overweight/obese experienced higher rates of grade 3/4 hepatotoxicity and hyperglycemia (60.7% vs 42.2%, P = .0005, and 36.4% vs 24.4%, P = .014, respectively) but had comparable rates of hypertriglyceridemia (29.5% vs 24.4%, P = .29). In a multivariable analysis, higher BMI was associated with worse OS, hypertriglyceridemia was associated with improved OS, and age was not associated with OS. In conclusion, among AYAs treated on DFCI Consortium ALL regimens, elevated BMI was associated with increased toxicity, increased NRM, and decreased OS. The deleterious effect of elevated BMI was more pronounced in older AYAs.

Impairment of health-related quality of life for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia over the first year of therapy: A report from the DFCI ALL Consortium.

BACKGROUND: Children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receive prolonged treatment, resulting in toxicities that affect health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Longitudinal assessment of HR-QoL allows improved understanding of experiences with ALL. PROCEDURE: Parent-proxy and child self-report HR-QoL over the first year of chemotherapy were evaluated in the context of DFCI Protocol 05-001, a phase 3 therapeutic trial for childhood ALL. HR-QoL was assessed with the Pediatric Quality-of-Life inventory (PedsQL) domains for Pain and Hurt, Procedural Anxiety, Treatment Anxiety, Emotional Functioning, General Fatigue, and Sleep/Rest Fatigue. RESULTS: Total of 281 subjects participated, with 141 contributing at least one child report and 280 at least one parent report. Children with ALL experienced impairment in HR-QoL by both patient and parent report compared to the published PedsQL reference population at each time point on each subscale. Agreement between parent and child assessment of HR-QoL impairment was high, particularly among those for whom HR-QoL was not impaired. During the consolidation phase, which included intensive asparaginase administration, multivariable models demonstrated more impairment in Treatment Anxiety and Procedural Anxiety for children treated with intramuscular asparaginase than intravenous asparaginase, but randomized groups were otherwise similar in HR-QoL. Impairments in fatigue, both General and Sleep/Rest, were evident throughout and worse during intensive asparaginase therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This report examines HR-QoL for children with ALL during treatment longitudinally by parent and patient report across multiple domains. Children with ALL demonstrated substantial impairment in HR-QoL, particularly related to fatigue during intensive consolidation therapy including asparaginase.

Dexrazoxane and Long-Term Heart Function in Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

PURPOSE: For survivors of childhood cancer treated with doxorubicin, dexrazoxane is cardioprotective for at least 5 years. However, longer-term data are lacking. METHODS: Within the Children's Oncology Group and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Consortium, we evaluated four randomized trials of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or Hodgkin lymphoma, who received doxorubicin with or without dexrazoxane, and a nonrandomized trial of patients with osteosarcoma who all received doxorubicin with dexrazoxane. Cumulative doxorubicin doses ranged from 100 to 600 mg/m2 across these five trials, and dexrazoxane was administered uniformly (10:1 mg/m2 ratio) as an intravenous bolus before doxorubicin. Cardiac function was prospectively assessed in survivors from these trials, plus a matched group of survivors of osteosarcoma treated with doxorubicin without dexrazoxane. Two-dimensional echocardiograms and blood biomarkers were analyzed centrally in blinded fashion. Multivariate analyses adjusted for demographic characteristics, cumulative doxorubicin dose, and chest radiotherapy determined the differences and associations by dexrazoxane status. RESULTS: From 49 participating institutions, 195 participants were assessed at 18.1 ± 2.7 years since cancer diagnosis (51% dexrazoxane-exposed; cumulative doxorubicin dose 297 ± 91 mg/m2). Dexrazoxane administration was associated with superior left ventricular fractional shortening (absolute difference, +1.4% [95% CI, 0.3 to 2.5]) and ejection fraction (absolute difference, +1.6% [95% CI, 0.0 to 3.2]), and lower myocardial stress per B-type natriuretic peptide (-6.7 pg/mL [95% CI, -10.6 to -2.8]). Dexrazoxane was associated with a reduced risk of having lower left ventricular function (fractional shortening < 30% or ejection fraction < 50%; odds ratio, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.81]). This protective association was primarily seen in those treated with cumulative doxorubicin doses ≥ 250 mg/m2. CONCLUSION: Among young adult-aged survivors of childhood cancer, dexrazoxane was associated with a cardioprotective effect nearly 20 years after initial anthracycline exposure.

Nelarabine combination therapy for relapsed or refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia.

Nelarabine, an antimetabolite prodrug, is approved as monotherapy for children and adults with relapsed and refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma (R/R T-ALL/LBL), although it is often used in combination regimens. We sought to understand differences in efficacy and toxicity when nelarabine is administered alone or in combination. We retrospectively analyzed 44 consecutive patients with R/R T-ALL/LBL; 29 of whom were treated with combination therapy, most with cyclophosphamide and etoposide (23, 79%) and 15 with monotherapy. The median age was 19 years (range, 2-69), including 18 children (<18 years). After a median of 1 (range, 1-3) cycle of treatment, 24 patients (55%) achieved complete remission, 62% (18/29) with combination therapy and 40% (6/15) with monotherapy (P = .21). Most responders (21, 88%) pursued allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT). Overall survival (OS) was 12.8 months (95% confidence interval, 6.93-not reached) in the entire cohort and was higher in the combination therapy than in the monotherapy group (24-month OS, 53% vs 8%; P = .003). The rate of neurotoxicity was similar between groups (27% vs 17%; P = .46) and grade 3/4 anemia and thrombocytopenia were more frequent in the combination group (76% vs 20%; P < .001% and 66% vs 27%; P = .014, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, nelarabine combination therapy and alloSCT post nelarabine were associated with improved OS (hazard ratio, 0.41; P = .04 and hazard ratio, 0.25; P = .008, respectively). In conclusion, compared with monotherapy, nelarabine combination therapy was well tolerated and associated with improved survival in pediatric and adult patients with R/R T-ALL/LBL.

Orthopaedic adverse events among adolescents and adults treated with asparaginase for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Osteonecrosis (ON) is a complication of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treatment with patient- (age, female sex, genetic polymorphisms, presence of metabolic syndrome) and treatment-specific (glucocorticoid type and schedule) risk factors described. The potential role of asparaginase in increasing risk of ON via effects on coagulation, lipid metabolism, and steroid clearance is now also recognised. Paediatric studies consistently identify age as a key risk factor for ON, with adolescents at higher risk than young children. Fewer studies comprehensively report on risk of ON in adults, but available evidence suggests that adolescents and young adults (AYAs) treated with corticosteroid and asparaginase-containing paediatric-inspired regimens are more at risk than older adults treated with paediatric-inspired or traditional adult regimens. There are few proven strategies to prevent or mitigate the severity of ON and other orthopaedic complications of ALL therapy. Future clinical trials should carefully ascertain orthopaedic adverse events in adults. Evidence-based guidelines should be developed for management of orthopaedic adverse events in adults being treated for ALL, especially high-risk AYAs being treated with paediatric-inspired regimens.

Large Anterior Mediastinal Mass and Cardiac Infiltration at Diagnosis in a Child With T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

While anterior mediastinal masses are a common presenting feature of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, cardiac leukemic infiltration is an exceedingly rare extramedullary manifestation. We report a 4-year-old female with new-onset T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who was found to have a large interventricular septal mass upon initial presentation. This patient required a unique management approach with serial echocardiograms, continuous telemetry, and hemodynamic monitoring with close surveillance for ventricular ectopy. Given a good response to traditional leukemia therapy, the cardiac mass was presumed to have been a focal infiltrate of leukemic cells.

Orthopedic toxicities among adolescents and young adults treated in DFCI ALL Consortium Trials.

Adolescent and young adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have superior outcomes when treated on pediatric regimens. Pediatric ALL regimens rely heavily on corticosteroids and asparaginase and are known to increase the risk of osteonecrosis (ON) and fractures in children, particularly adolescents. Orthopedic toxicity among young adults treated on pediatric-inspired regimens is not well described. Here, we report the symptomatic orthopedic toxicities of patients aged 15 to 50 years treated on sequential Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium protocols. Among 367 patients with a median age of 23 years (range, 15-50 years; 68% aged <30 years), 60 patients were diagnosed with ON (5-year cumulative incidence, 17%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13-22), and 40 patients experienced fracture (5-year cumulative incidence, 12%; 95% CI, 8-15). Patients aged <30 years were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with ON (5-year cumulative incidence, 21% vs 8%; P = .004). Patients treated more recently on pegaspargase-based protocols were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with ON compared with those treated on earlier trials with native Escherichia coli asparaginase (5-year cumulative incidence, 24% vs 5%; P < .001). Of the 54 ON events for which adequate information was available, surgery was performed in 25 (46%). Patients with ON had superior overall survival (OS) compared with those without (multivariable OS hazard ratio, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.46; P = .001; ON included as a time-varying exposure). Increased rates of orthopedic toxicity in late-generation protocols may be driven by the pharmacokinetic drug interaction between pegaspargase and dexamethasone, leading to higher dexamethasone exposure.

Late health outcomes after dexrazoxane treatment: A report from the Children's Oncology Group.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine long-term outcomes among children newly diagnosed with cancer who were treated in dexrazoxane-containing clinical trials. METHODS: P9404 (acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma [ALL]), P9425 and P9426 (Hodgkin lymphoma), P9754 (osteosarcoma), and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 95-01 (ALL) enrolled 1308 patients between 1996 and 2001: 1066 were randomized (1:1) to doxorubicin with or without dexrazoxane, and 242 (from P9754) were nonrandomly assigned to receive dexrazoxane. Trial data were linked with the National Death Index, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS), and Medicaid. Osteosarcoma survivors from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS; n = 495; no dexrazoxane) served as comparators in subanalyses. Follow-up events were assessed with cumulative incidence, Cox regression, and Fine-Gray methods. RESULTS: In randomized trials (cumulative prescribed doxorubicin dose, 100-360 mg/m2 ; median follow-up, 18.6 years), dexrazoxane was not associated with relapse (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-1.13), second cancers (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.62-2.30), all-cause mortality (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.78-1.47), or cardiovascular mortality (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 0.41-5.16). Among P9754 patients (all exposed to dexrazoxane; cumulative doxorubicin, 450-600 mg/m2 ; median follow-up, 16.6-18.4 years), no cardiovascular deaths or heart transplantation occurred. The 20-year heart transplantation rate among CCSS osteosarcoma survivors (mean doxorubicin, 377 ± 145 mg/m2 ) was 1.6% (vs 0% in P9754; P = .13). Among randomized patients, serious cardiovascular outcomes (cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, and stroke) ascertained by PHIS/Medicaid occurred less commonly with dexrazoxane (5.6%) than without it (17.6%; P = .02), although cardiomyopathy rates alone did not differ (4.4% vs 8.1%; P = .35). CONCLUSIONS: Dexrazoxane did not appear to adversely affect long-term mortality, event-free survival, or second cancer risk.

Cardiometabolic Risk in Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group.

BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for cardiovascular disease. We assessed the burden of potentially modifiable cardiometabolic risk factors (CRF) among survivors compared with population-matched controls. METHODS: Survivors previously enrolled on Pediatric Oncology Group protocols 9404, 9425, 9426, 9754, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 95-01 from 1996 to 2001 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, or osteosarcoma were prospectively assessed for the prevalence of CRFs and compared with an age, sex, and race/ethnicity-matched 2013 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) population. We estimated future predicted cardiovascular risk based on general population (e.g., Framingham) and Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) models. RESULTS: Compared with NHANES (n = 584), survivors [n = 164; 44.5% female, median age 28 years (range, 16-38 years); median 17.4 years (range, 13-22 years) since cancer diagnosis; median doxorubicin dose 300 mg/m2; 30.5% chest radiation] had similar rates of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, but more prehypertension/hypertension (38.4% vs. 30.1%, P = 0.044). Survivors had fewer metabolic syndrome features compared with NHANES (≥2 features: 26.7% vs. 55.9%; P < 0.001). Survivors were more physically active and smoked tobacco less (both P < 0.0001). Therefore, general population cardiovascular risk scores were lower for survivors versus NHANES. However, with CCSS models, 30.5% of survivors were at moderate risk of ischemic heart disease, and >95% at moderate/high risk for heart failure, with a 9% to 12% predicted incidence of these conditions by age 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood cancer survivors exhibited similar or better cardiometabolic and lifestyle profiles compared with NHANES, but nonetheless are at risk for future clinically significant cardiovascular disease. IMPACT: Further strategies supporting optimal CRF control are warranted in survivors. See related commentary by Mulrooney, p. 515.

Hyperglycemia during induction therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia is temporally linked to pegaspargase administration.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy regimens containing glucocorticoids and pegaspargase are associated with hyperglycemia; however, the pattern and underlying risk factors are not well characterized. We determined the pattern of hyperglycemia and associated factors in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving glucocorticoids and pegaspargase during induction. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients treated between 2010 and 2020 at a single institution. Pretreatment data, glucose values, and insulin regimens were abstracted from the record. Hyperglycemia was defined as two or more random glucose measurements ≥200 mg/dl. Analyses of demographic and clinical factors were conducted with logistic regression. RESULTS: Two hundred thirteen patients, median age 6 years (range 1.0-18.9 years), 47% female, were included. The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 23% (n = 48). Mean glucose levels peaked 3 days following administration of pegaspargase. In multivariable analysis, age ≥10 years (odds ratio [OR] 6.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9-13.4), female sex (OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2-6.2), and family history of diabetes (OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.4-7.3) were predictive of hyperglycemia. Age ≥10 years (OR 19.4, 95% CI: 5.5-68.4), family history of diabetes (OR 8.2, 95% CI: 2.7-25.3), and higher body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-2.9) were associated with insulin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Onset of hyperglycemia in children receiving induction chemotherapy for ALL is temporally linked to administration of pegaspargase. Older age, female sex, and family history of diabetes are predictive of hyperglycemia during induction; older age, family history of diabetes, and higher BMI are associated with insulin treatment. Frequent glucose monitoring is indicated during induction therapy for ALL.

Bone mineral density surveillance for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: evidence-based recommendations from the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group.

Childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors are at increased risk of reduced bone mineral density. Clinical practice surveillance guidelines are important for timely diagnosis and treatment of these survivors, which could improve bone mineral density parameters and prevent fragility fractures. Discordances across current late effects guidelines necessitated international harmonisation of recommendations for bone mineral density surveillance. The International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group therefore established a panel of 36 experts from ten countries, representing a range of relevant medical specialties. The evidence of risk factors for very low and low bone mineral density and fractures, surveillance modality, timing of bone mineral density surveillance, and treatment of very low and low bone mineral density were evaluated and critically appraised, and harmonised recommendations for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors were formulated. We graded the recommendations based on the quality of evidence and balance between potential benefits and harms. Bone mineral density surveillance is recommended for survivors treated with cranial or craniospinal radiotherapy and is reasonable for survivors treated with total body irradiation. Due to insufficient evidence, no recommendation can be formulated for or against bone mineral density surveillance for survivors treated with corticosteroids. This surveillance decision should be made by the survivor and health-care provider together, after careful consideration of the potential harms and benefits and additional risk factors. We recommend to carry out bone mineral density surveillance using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at entry into long-term follow-up, and if normal (Z-score > -1), repeat when the survivor is aged 25 years. Between these measurements and thereafter, surveillance should be done as clinically indicated. These recommendations facilitate evidence-based care for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors internationally.

Efficacy and Toxicity of Pegaspargase and Calaspargase Pegol in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Results of DFCI 11-001.

PURPOSE: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Consortium Protocol 11-001 assessed efficacy and toxicity of calaspargase pegol (calaspargase), a novel pegylated asparaginase formulation with longer half-life, compared with the standard formulation pegaspargase. METHODS: Patients age 1 to ≤ 21 years with newly diagnosed ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma were randomly assigned to intravenous pegaspargase or calaspargase, 2,500 IU/m2/dose. Patients received one induction dose. Beginning week 7, pegaspargase was administered every 2 week for 15 doses and calaspargase every 3 week for 10 doses (30 weeks). Serum asparaginase activity (SAA) (≥ 0.1 IU/mL considered therapeutic) was assessed 4, 11, 18, and 25 days after the induction dose and before each postinduction dose. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2015, 239 eligible patients enrolled (230 ALL, nine lymphoblastic lymphoma); 120 were assigned to pegaspargase and 119 to calaspargase. After the induction dose, SAA was ≥ 0.1 IU/mL in ≥ 95% of patients on both arms 18 days after dosing. At day 25, more patients had SAA ≥ 0.1 IU/mL with calaspargase (88% v 17%; P ˂ .001). Postinduction, median nadir SAAs were similar (≥ 1.0 IU/mL) for both arms. Of 230 evaluable patients, 99% of pegaspargase and 95% of calaspargase patients achieved complete remission (P = .12), with no difference in frequency of high end-induction minimal residual disease among evaluable patients with B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). There were no differences in frequencies of asparaginase allergy, pancreatitis, thrombosis, or hyperbilirubinemia. With 5.3 years median follow-up, 5-year event-free survival for pegaspargase was 84.9% (SE ± 3.4%) and 88.1% (± SE 3.0%) for calaspargase (P = .65). CONCLUSION: Every 3-week calaspargase had similar nadir SAA, toxicity, and survival outcomes compared with every 2-week pegaspargase. The high nadir SAA observed for both preparations suggest dosing strategies can be further optimized.

Severe toxicity free survival: physician-derived definitions of unacceptable long-term toxicities following acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

5-year overall survival rates have surpassed 90% for childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia, but survivors are at risk for permanent health sequelae. Although event-free survival appropriately represents the outcome for cancers with poor overall survival, this metric is inadequate when cure rates are high but challenged by serious, persistent complications. Accordingly, a group of experts in paediatric haematology-oncology, representative of 17 international acute lymphocytic leukaemia study groups, launched an initiative to construct a measure, designated severe toxicity-free survival (STFS), to quantify the occurrence of physician-prioritised toxicities to be integrated with standard cancer outcome reporting. Five generic inclusion criteria (not present before cancer diagnosis, symptomatic, objectifiable, of unacceptable severity, permanent, or requiring unacceptable treatments) were used to assess 855 health conditions, which resulted in inclusion of 21 severe toxicities. Consensus definitions were reached through a modified Delphi process supplemented by two additional plenary meetings. The 21 severe toxicities include severe adverse health conditions that substantially affect activities of daily living and are refractory to therapy (eg, refractory seizures), are without therapeutic options (eg, blindness), or require substantially invasive treatment (eg, cardiac transplantation). Incorporation of STFS assessment into clinical trials has the potential to improve and diversify treatment strategies, focusing not only on traditional outcome events and overall survival but also the frequencies of the most severe toxicities. The two major aims of this Review were to: prioritise and define unacceptable long-term toxicity for patients with childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia, and define how these toxicities should be combined into a composite quantity to be integrated with other reported outcomes. Although STFS quantifies the clinically unacceptable health tradeoff for cure using childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia as a model disease, the prioritised severe toxicities are based on generic considerations of relevance to any other cancer diagnosis and age group.

Pediatric primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma treated with brachytherapy.

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PC-ALCL) is a CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder that rarely occurs in children. Although there are currently no consensus guidelines for the treatment of cutaneous lymphoma in the pediatric population, the isolated form of PC-ALCL is typically managed by surgical excision or external beam radiation therapy. We report the case of a 6-year-old girl with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma that was treated with brachytherapy with no recurrence after 21 months of follow-up, suggesting that brachytherapy may be considered as a treatment for pediatric cutaneous large cell anaplastic lymphoma.

Virtual visits as long-term follow-up care for childhood cancer survivors: Patient and provider satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Telemedicine can potentially meet objectives of long-term follow-up care (LTFU) for childhood cancer survivors (CCS) while reducing barriers. We surveyed providers at our institution about their satisfaction with video-conference virtual visits (VV) with 81 CCS during COVID-19 restrictions. The same 81 CCS (or parent proxies) were surveyed about their experience, of which 47% responded. Providers and CCS were highly satisfied with VV (86% and 95% "completely/very satisfied," respectively). CCS rated VV "as/nearly as" helpful as in-person visits (66%) and 82% prefer VV remain an option postpandemic. High levels of survivor and provider satisfaction with VV support ongoing investigation into implementation for LTFU.