Desensitization to pegaspargase in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma.

Hypersensitivity to pegaspargase is associated with inferior survival in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma. In the past year, drug-supply shortages have led to the lack of an available alternative to pegaspargase. Rather than omit asparaginase from the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma patients with hypersensitivity to pegaspargase, we continued pegaspargase treatments for nine pediatric patients, utilizing a rapid desensitization protocol. There were no adverse events related to the pegaspargase during desensitization, and all patients who were checked had asparaginase serum levels above the threshold of 0.1 IU/mL at 7 to 14 days after pegaspargase therapy.

Caphosol for prevention of oral mucositis in pediatric myeloablative haematopoietic cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective was to determine whether topically administered Caphosol, rinsed orally four times daily at the initiation of conditioning, reduces the duration of severe oral mucositis (OM) compared with placebo among children and adolescents undergoing haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). METHODS: This was a Children's Oncology Group multicentre randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients between the ages of 4 and 21 years who were scheduled to undergo myeloablative HCT for any indication were randomised to Caphosol or placebo saline rinses four times daily from initiation of conditioning through day +20. Subjects were assessed daily for OM using the World Health Organisation (WHO) Oral Toxicity Scale, Mouth Pain Categorical Scale (0-10) and the Oral Mucositis Daily Questionnaire (OMDQ). The primary end point was duration of severe OM (WHO ⩾3). RESULTS: The study enrolled 220 participants with a median age of 13.7 years (range 4.0-21.9); 163 (74%) received allogeneic HCT. The mean (±s.d.) duration of severe OM was not reduced among Caphosol (4.5±5.0 days) vs placebo (4.5±4.8; P=0.99) recipients. The incidence of severe OM in the Caphosol and placebo arms was 63% (57 out of 91) and 68% (62 out of 91), respectively (P=0.44). There were no significant differences in any of the secondary end points between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Caphosol did not reduce severe OM when compared with placebo among children and adolescents undergoing myeloablative HCT. Studies to identify effective interventions for OM are needed in this population.

Olanzapine for treatment and prevention of acute chemotherapy-induced vomiting in children: a retrospective, multi-center review.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective review provides preliminary data regarding the safety and efficacy of olanzapine for chemotherapy-induced vomiting (CIV) control in children. PROCEDURE: Children <18 years old who received olanzapine for acute chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) control from December 2010 to August 2013 at four institutions were identified. Patient characteristics, chemotherapy, antiemetic prophylaxis, olanzapine dosing, CIV control, liver function test results and adverse events were abstracted from the health record. Toxicity was graded using CTCAEv4.03. RESULTS: Sixty children (median age 13.2 years; range: 3.10-17.96) received olanzapine during 158 chemotherapy blocks. Olanzapine was most often (59%) initiated due to a history of poorly controlled CINV. The mean initial olanzapine dose was 0.1 mg/kg/dose (range: 0.026-0.256). Most children who received olanzapine beginning on the first day of the chemotherapy block experienced complete CIV control throughout the acute phase (83/128; 65%). There was no association between the olanzapine dose/kg and complete CIV control (OR 1.01; 95% CI: 0.999-1.020; P = 0.091). Sedation was reported in 7% of chemotherapy blocks and was significantly associated with increasing olanzapine dose (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08-1.27; P = 0.0001). Of the 25 chemotherapy blocks where ALT and/or AST were reported more than once, grade 1-3 elevations were observed in five. The mean weight change in 31 children who received olanzapine during more than one chemotherapy block was 0% (range: -22 to +18). CONCLUSION: Olanzapine may be an important option to improve CIV control in children. Prospective controlled evaluation of olanzapine for CINV prophylaxis in children is warranted.

A Vision for Community, Connection and Reinvestment.

Jefferson Street Center (JSC) implements community-driven priorities that support quality of life, improved community health and neighborhood vitality in Northwest Wilmington. JSC serves as a Connector and Capacity Builder in the Washington Heights Blueprint Community® and its surrounding neighborhoods and responds to the needs of residents and stakeholders. The organization focuses on two implementation strategies: opening of a shared-use community hub, in partnership with Hanover Presbyterian Church, and channeling resources to implement place-based revitalization projects and initiatives. These strategies focus on long-term efforts to cultivate place-based asset growth, aiming to alleviate poverty, promote housing stabilization and grow civic muscle. These strategies are also specific tactical responses to the public health concerns of the residents and stakeholders in Northwest Wilmington.