Can CD34+CD38− lymphoblasts, as likely leukemia stem cells, be a prognostic factor in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children?

BackgroundCD34+CD38− lymphoblasts as likely leukemia stem cells (LSCs) may be responsible for a worse response to treatment and may be a risk factor for recurrence in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL).ObjectiveThe study objective was to assess the prognostic role of CD34+CD38− lymphoblasts in bone marrow on the day of BCP-ALL diagnosis.Methods115 patients with BCP-ALL, the median age of 4.5 years (range 1.5–17.9 years), gender: female 63 (54.8%) with BCP-ALL were enrolled; Group I (n = 90)—patients with CD34+CD38+ antigens and Group II (n = 20)—patients with CD34+CD38− antigens on the lymphoblast surface.ResultsA worse response on Days 8, 15, and 33 of therapy and at the end of treatment in Group II (CD34+CD38−) was more often observed but these differences were not statistically significant. A significantly higher incidence of BCP-ALL recurrence was in Group II.Conclusions1.In BCP-ALL in children, the presence of CD34+CD38− lymphoblasts at the diagnosis does not affect the first remission.2.In BCP-ALL in children, the presence of CD34+CD38− lymphoblasts at the diagnosis may be considered an unfavorable prognostic factor for disease recurrence.3.It is necessary to further search for prognostic factors in BCP-ALL in children

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in children with malignancies – a single-center retrospective study

BackgroundPosterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) diagnosis relies on clinical and radiological characteristics. Clinical manifestations include focal neurologic deficits, hemiparesis, seizures with symptoms of intracranial hypertension, headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual field disturbances. The majority of patients have typical changes in magnetic resonance imaging. The epidemiology and outcomes of PRES in the pediatric cancer population have not been well described. Most of the available data are from retrospective analyses.ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological presentation as well as the outcome of PRES in children treated for cancers in a single center.MethodsWe analyzed data from 1,053 patients diagnosed with malignancies in a single center over 15 years to determine the incidence of PRES.Results19/1053 (1.8%) patients developed PRES. The diagnosis was accompanied by a range of clinical symptoms including hypertension, seizures, altered mental status, and headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all patients, and 14/19 (73.7%) exhibited typical findings consistent with PRES. Four patients (21.0%) required treatment in the Intensive Care Unit.ConclusionPosterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare but significant complication in children with cancer.There is a clear need to establish clinical criteria for PRES to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with PRES, particularly in the pediatric oncological population.Further studies are needed to identify the risk factors for recurrent PRES, particularly in pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment

Surowicze stężenia cytokin proangiogennych (VEGF i bFGF) w zależności od rodzajów histopatologicznych chłoniaka Hodgkina u dzieci – doniesienie wstępne

BackgroundThe different histological types of classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) differ from other percentage share of the Reed-Sternberg cells (R-SC) in the affected lymphoid tissue In the Lymphocyte Depletion cHL (LDcHL) type are present almost only R-SC. In turn, in the Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLP-HL) in the structure lymphocytes, histiocytes ora “popcorn” cells are present. Angiogenesis, which is necessary for development neoplasma tissue, is stimulated by proangiogenic cytokines including Vascular-Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF). In HL these cytokines are produced mainly by the R-SC. The aim of the study was to assess the concentrations of VEGF and bFGF in the serum (sVEGF, sbFGF) in different histopathological types childhood HL.Procedure37 children with HL were studied: group A – 34 children with CHL and group B – 3 children with NCHL. In the control group there were 20 children. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays we quantified VEGF and bFGF in the serum of the children with HL.ResultsThe median sVEGF in group A was 657.137 pg/ml (43.777–1210.52) and was significantly higher (pWstępTypy histopatologiczne w klasycznym chłoniaku Hodgkina (cHL) różnią się między innymi procentowym udziałem komórek Reed-Sternberga (R-SC) w utkaniu nowotworowym. W typie z deplecją limfocytów (LDcHL) w utkaniu nowotworu obecne są prawie wyłącznie R-SC. Z kolei w guzkowym typie chłoniaka Hodgkina z przewagą limfocytów (NLP-HL) w zajętej tkance węzłowej obecne są komórki limfocytowe i histiocytowe lub o typie „popcorn”. Angiogeneza, niezbędna do rozwoju tkanki nowotworowej stymulowana jest przez cytokiny proangiogenne: Vascular-Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) i basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF). Cytokiny te w HL produkowane są głównie przez R-SC. Celem pracy była ocena stężeń VEGF i bFGF w surowicy (sVEGF, sbFGF) w różnych typach histopatologicznych chłoniaków Hodgkina u dzieci.Materiał i metodyBadaniem objęto 37 dzieci z HL. Wyodrębniono dwie grupy: grupa A – 34 dzieci z cHL i grupa B – 3 dzieci z NLP-HL. Grupę kontrolną (grupa C) stanowiło 20 zdrowych dzieci. Za pomocą zestawów Human VEGF i Human FGF basic Quantikine Colorimetric Sandwich ELISA firmy R&D Systems oznaczono sVEGF i sbFGF u badanych dzieci i w grupie kontrolnej.WynikiMediana sVEGF w grupie A wynosiła 657,137 pg/ml (43,777–1210,52) i była znamiennie wyższa (

Ovarian adenocarcinoma in 14-year-old girl

Ovarian tumors have an uncommon occurrence in children and adolescent girls compared with adult women. The peak incidence of ovarian tumors is between 15–19 years of age. Malignant ovarian tumors in children and adolescent girls are extremely rare. A case of a 14-year-old girl with ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma that has probably not been described before in the literature is presented below

Ropne zapalenie mięśni szkieletowych w przebiegu ostrej białaczki limfoblastycznej

Pyomyositis is a term used to asses pyogenic infection of the skeletal muscle and develops as the result of bacteriemia and occurs most commonly in patients with various immunosuppressive diseases. Pyomyositis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients complaining of intensive muscle pain and fever. The usual causative organism is Staphylococcus aureus. We present a 3-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and pyomyositis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa diagnosed in the course of induction therapy. The diagnosis of pyomyositis in the crural muscles of both legs was given based on imaging examinations: ultrasonography and magnetic resonance