Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in pediatrics patients: current approach

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a rare event in childhood, comprising of less than 5% of all leukemia cases in this age group. CML is characterized by the presence of a specific molecular marker, the Ph+ chromosome, which is responsible for almost all etiopathogenesis, hence, it has clinical and course characteristics that do not differ from the adult population. In pediatrics the therapeutic approach is based mainly on the experience obtained with adult protocols. With bone marrow transplantation (BMT) being the only cure option, this procedure is more effective in patients with compatible related donors and performed during the initial chronic phase of the disease. The great anti-leukemic efficacy seen with imatinib mesylate was responsible for the approval of this drug in pediatric use for intolerant or refractory -interferon treated patients or relapsed patients after BMT. Currently, its use in pediatric patients with recently diagnosed CML, who have a compatible donor, has become a great dilemma. There is no agreement yet on which is the best way to use this drug or even whether it will ever replace BMT. Further studies with longer follow-up periods are still needed.A Leucemia Mielóide Crônica (LMC) constitui evento raro na infância, representando menos de 5% das leucemias nesta faixa etária. Caracteriza-se pela presença de um marcador citogenético específico, cromossomo Ph+, que é responsável por grande parte da etiopatogenia da doença. Possui, portanto, características clínicas e evolutivas que não diferem dos pacientes adultos. Sua abordagem terapêutica em pediatria é baseada principalmente na experiência obtida com os estudos em adultos. Tem no TMO sua única opção de tratamento curativo, sendo este mais efetivo em pacientes com doador aparentado compatível, realizado durante a fase crônica inicial da doença. A grande eficácia antileucêmica observada com o mesilato de imatinibe fez com que a droga fosse aprovada para uso pediátrico em pacientes intolerantes ou refratários ao interferon a, ou recidivados pós-transplante de medula óssea. Seu uso em pacientes pediátricos com LMC de diagnóstico recente, com doador disponível, tornou-se um grande dilema, não existindo até o momento um consenso em relação à melhor forma de se utilizar a droga ou, mesmo, se esta irá em algum momento substituir o TMO. Estudos mais concretos com um seguimento maior ainda necessitam ser realizados.UNIFESP Instituto de Oncologia Pediátrica - GRAACCUNIFESP, Instituto de Oncologia Pediátrica - GRAACCSciEL

Musculoskeletal manifestations as the onset of acute leukemias in childhood

Objective: to study the frequency, the clinical features and laboratory exams of patients with musculoskeletal symptoms at the onset of acute leukemia. Methods: retrospective, descriptive study including patients diagnosed with acute leukemia, and treated at the Institute of Pediatric Oncology of UNIFESP, carried out from November 1999 to February 2000. The data on musculoskeletal complaints were obtained from a questionnaire. The medical records were revised in order to get data on the clinical examination and laboratory tests at the beginning of the illness. Results: sixty-one children were included in this trial, 93% with acute lymphoid leukemia, and 7% with acute myeloid leukemia. Thirty-eight patients (62%) had musculoskeletal pain at the onset. Arthritis was observed in 8 patients. The mean number of involved joints was 2.5 (1 - 6). The most frequently involved joints were the knees, ankles and elbows. Three patients (4.9%) had normal blood count. Low hemoglobin was reported in 54 patients (88%) (in six patients it was the only hematological abnormality), leukopenia in 14 (22%), leukocytosis in 26 (42%) and low platelet count in 46 (75%). Conclusions: the musculoskeletal symptoms are common at the onset of acute leukemia so, malignancy should always be ruled out in patients presenting chronic or acute arthritis or benign limb pain. The laboratory tests may be normal at the onset of the illness, making differential diagnosis more difficult.Objetivo: estudar a prevalência e as características clínicas e laboratoriais dos pacientes com manifestações músculo-esqueléticas na apresentação inicial das leucemias agudas. Métodos: estudo de casos prevalentes, retrospectivo, descritivo, no qual foram avaliados pacientes com diagnóstico de leucemia aguda, atendidos no Instituto de Oncologia Pediátrica da UNIFESP, de novembro de 1999 a fevereiro de 2000. As queixas músculo-esqueléticas foram investigadas através de um questionário. Os dados referentes ao exame físico e provas laboratoriais, no início da doença, foram obtidos através da revisão de prontuários. Resultados: sessenta e uma crianças foram incluídas neste estudo, sendo que 93% apresentavam leucemia linfóide aguda, e 7% leucemia mielóide aguda. Trinta e oito crianças (62%) apresentaram dor músculo-esquelética no início da doença. Artrite foi observada em 8 casos (13%). A média de articulações acometidas foi 2,5 (variando de 1 a 6), sendo as mais acometidas os joelhos, os tornozelos e os cotovelos. Três pacientes (4,9%) apresentavam hemograma normal, 54 (88%) hemoglobina baixa (em 6 pacientes foi a única alteração), leucopenia em 14 (22%), leucocitose em 26 (42%), e plaquetopenia em 46 (75%) pacientes. Oito pacientes (13%) mostravam blastos em sangue periférico. Conclusão: as queixas músculo-esqueléticas são manifestações iniciais freqüentes das leucemias agudas, e devem ser consideradas no diagnóstico diferencial da dor em membros e das artrites agudas ou crônicas da infância. Os exames laboratoriais podem ser inicialmente normais, tornando ainda mais difícil esta diferenciação.UNIFESP-EPM Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP-EPM GRAACCUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PediatriaUNIFESP, EPM GRAACCSciEL

Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia in São Paulo, Brazil

Background: Epidemiological studies have identified increased risks of leukemia in children living near power lines and exposed to relatively high levels of magnetic fields. Results have been remarkably consistent, but there is still no explanation for this increase. in this study we evaluated the effect of 60 Hz magnetic fields on acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: This case-control study included ALL cases (n = 162) recruited from eight hospitals between January 2003 and February 2009. Controls (n = 565) matched on gender, age, and city of birth were selected from the São Paulo Birth Registry. Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) was based on measurements inside home and distance to power lines. Results: for 24 h measurements in children rooms, levels of ELF MF equal to or greater than 0.3 microtesla (mu T), compared to children exposed to levels below 0.1 mu T showed no increased risk of ALL (odds ratio [OR] 1.09; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.33-3.61). When only nighttime measurements were considered, a risk (OR 1.52; 95% CI 0.46-5.01) was observed. Children living within 200 m of power lines presented an increased risk of ALL (OR 1.67; 95% CI 0.49-5.75), compared to children living at 600 m or more of power lines. for those living within 50 m of power lines the OR was 3.57 (95% CI 0.41-31.44). Conclusions: Even though our results are consistent with the small risks reported in other studies on ELF MF and leukemia in children, overall our results do not provide support for an association between magnetic fields and childhood leukemia, but small numbers and likely biases weaken the strength of this conclusion. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Univ São Paulo, Fac Saude Publ, Dept Epidemiol, BR-01255 São Paulo, BrazilAssoc Brasileira Compatibilidade Eletromagnet, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Amaral Carvalho, Jau, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Fac Med, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Oncol Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Infantil Darcy Vargas, São Paulo, BrazilSanta Casa Misericordia São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Santa Marcelina, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Calif Los Angeles, Sch Publ Hlth, Los Angeles, CA 90024 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Oncol Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

DMSO removal reduces stem-cell infusion-related toxicity and allows excellent engraftment of cryopreserved unrelated cord blood and autologous stem cells

UNIFESP, GRAACC, Pediat Oncol Inst, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, GRAACC, Pediat Oncol Inst, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

HIGH DOSE ORAL BUSULFAN and INTRAVENOUS MELPHALAN AS CONDITIONING THERAPY for AUTOLOGOUS HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT (HSCT) for the TREATMENT of PEDIATRIC SOLID TUMORS

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Oncol Pediat, GRAACC, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Oncol Pediat, GRAACC, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome and Neoplasms: A Case Study

Gorlin syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder exhibiting high penetrance and variable expressivity. It is characterized by facial dysmorphism, skeletal anomalies, multiple basal cell carcinomas, odontogenic keratocysts (OKC), palmar and plantar pits, bifid ribs, vertebral anomalies and a variety of other malformations. Various neoplasms', such as medulloblastomas, meningiomas, ovarian and cardiac fibromas are also found in this syndrome. Objective: To describe a twelve-year-old patient with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, with basal cell carcinomas and promyelocytic leukemia developed after receiving craniospinal radiation for a medulloblastoma. Mild ribs as well as mandibular and maxillar OKC were also diagnosed. Conclusion: The patient with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome should receive close follow-up for early detection of malformations and malignant neoplasias.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Med Sch Sao Paulo, Pediat Oncol Inst, GRAACC, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilSao Paulo State Univ, Hosp Clin, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Med Sch Sao Paulo, Pediat Oncol Inst, GRAACC, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

The influence of cell concentration at cryopreservation on neutrophil engraftment after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Background: Peripheral blood stem cell concentrations are traditionally adjusted to 20–40 × 106 leukocytes/mL prior to freezing. This low cell concentration at cryopreservation implies larger volumes with more dimethyl sulfoxide being used, and higher cost and toxicity at the time of transplant. Higher cell concentrations have been reported but this is not widely accepted. Moreover, the influence of cell concentration on engraftment has not been well documented. Therefore, this study retrospectively analyzed the influence of peripheral blood stem cell concentration at freezing on engraftment after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Method: Leukapheresis products were plasma-depleted and cryopreserved with 5% dimethyl sulfoxide, 6% hydroxyethylamide solution and 4% albumin in a −80 °C freezer. Individual patient data from hospital records were reviewed. Results: Fifty consecutive patients with oncological diseases underwent 88 leukaphereses. Median age was six years (range: 1–32 years) and median weight was 19 kg (range: 8–94 kg). Median leukocyte concentration was 109 × 106/mL at collection and 359 × 106 (range: 58–676 × 106) at freezing with 78% viability (range: 53–95%); leukocyte recovery after thawing was 95% (range: 70–100%). In multivariate analysis, cell concentration (p-value = 0.001) had a negative impact on engraftment. Patients infused with bags frozen with 600 × 106 leukocytes/mL, engraftment was after 14 days (range: 13–22 days). Conclusion: In patients with adequate CD34 cell collections, total leukocyte concentrations of 282 × 106/mL, freezing with 5% dimethyl sulfoxide and 6% hydroxyethylamide solution without a controlled-rate freezer, and storing cells at −80 °C yielded excellent engraftment. Further increases in cell concentration may delay engraftment, without affecting safety. Keywords: Cryopreservation, Stem cell transplantation, peripheral, Autografts, Pediatrics, Dimethyl sulfoxid