The Clinical Impact of Methotrexate-Induced Stroke-Like Neurotoxicity in Paediatric Departments: An Italian Multi-Centre Case-Series

IntroductionStroke-like syndrome (SLS) is a rare subacute neurological complication of intrathecal or high-dose (>= 500 mg) Methotrexate (MTX) administration. Its clinical features, evoking acute cerebral ischaemia with fluctuating course symptoms and a possible spontaneous resolution, have elicited interest among the scientific community. However, many issues are still open on the underlying pathogenesis, clinical, and therapeutic management and long-term outcome. Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical, radiological and laboratory records of all patients diagnosed with SLS between 2011 and 2021 at 4 National referral centers for Pediatric Onco-Hematology. Patients with a latency period that was longer than 3 weeks between the last MTX administration of MTX and SLS onset were excluded from the analysis, as were those with unclear etiologies. We assessed symptom severity using a dedicated arbitrary scoring system. Eleven patients were included in the study. ResultsThe underlying disease was acute lymphoblastic leukemia type B in 10/11 patients, while fibroblastic osteosarcoma was present in a single subject. The median age at diagnosis was 11 years (range 4-34), and 64% of the patients were women. Symptoms occurred after a mean of 9.45 days (+/- 0.75) since the last MTX administration and lasted between 1 and 96 h. Clinical features included hemiplegia and/or cranial nerves palsy, paraesthesia, movement or speech disorders, and seizure. All patients underwent neuroimaging studies (CT and/or MRI) and EEG. The scoring system revealed an average of 4.9 points (+/- 2.3), with a median of 5 points (maximum 20 points). We detected a linear correlation between the severity of the disease and age in male patients. ConclusionsSLS is a rare, well-characterized complication of MTX administration. Despite the small sample, we have been able to confirm some of the previous findings in literature. We also identified a linear correlation between age and severity of the disease, which could improve the future clinical management

Multicenter randomized, double-blind controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of laser therapy for the treatment of severe oral mucositis induced by chemotherapy in children: LaMPO RCT

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the efficacy of laser photobiomodulation (PBM) compared to that of placebo on severe oral mucositis (OM) in pediatric oncology patients. The primary objective was the reduction of OM grade (World Health Organization [WHO] scale) 7 days after starting PBM. Secondary objectives were reduction of pain, analgesic consumption, and incidence of side effects. METHODS: One hundred and one children with WHO grade > 2 chemotherapy-induced OM were enrolled in eight Italian hospitals. Patients were randomized to either PBM or sham treatment for four consecutive days (days +1 to +4). On days +4, +7, and +11, OM grade, pain (following a 0-10 numeric pain rating scale, NRS) and need for analgesics were evaluated by an operator blinded to treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were allocated to the PBM group, and 50 were allocated to the sham group. In total, 93.7% of PBM patients and 72% of sham patients had OM grade < 3 WHO on day +7 (P = 0.01). A significant reduction of pain was registered on day +7 in the PBM versus sham group (NRS 1 [0-3] vs. 2.5 [1-5], P < 0.006). Reduced use of analgesics was reported in the PBM group, although it was not statistically significant. No significant adverse events attributable to treatment were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: PBM is a safe, feasible, and effective treatment for children affected by chemotherapy-induced OM, as it accelerates mucosal recovery and reduces pain

Oral Lactoferrin Supplementation during Induction Chemotherapy Promotes Gut Microbiome Eubiosis in Pediatric Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

Induction chemotherapy is the first-line treatment for pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies. However, several complications may arise, mainly infections and febrile neutropenia, with a strong impact on patient morbidity and mortality. Such complications have been shown to be closely related to alterations of the gut microbiome (GM), making the design of strategies to foster its eubiosis of utmost clinical importance. Here, we evaluated the impact of oral supplementation of lactoferrin (LF), a glycoprotein endowed with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities, on GM dynamics in pediatric oncohematologic patients during induction chemotherapy. Specifically, we conducted a double blind, placebo-controlled trial in which GM was profiled through 16S rRNA gene sequencing before and after two weeks of oral supplementation with LF or placebo. LF was safely administered with no adverse effects and promoted GM homeostasis by favoring the maintenance of diversity and preventing the bloom of pathobionts (e.g., Enterococcus). LF could, therefore, be a promising adjunct to current therapeutic strategies in these fragile individuals to reduce the risk of GM-related complications

Intermittent Imatinib mesylate in children with chronic myeloid leukemia: results and outcome

Imatinib mesylate (IM) has demonstrated to be highly effective in children with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The main issues remain the long-term side effects in pre-pubertal children and the poor compliance in adolescents. The aims of this study were: a) to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of IM given intermittently to molecular responder (MR) CML children in chronic phase (CP), b) to reduce the long-term side effects of MR patients (pts) who started IM in pre-pubertal age, c) to improve compliance of poorly compliant adolescents in major MR (MMR). Among CP-CML pts aged &lt;18 years at diagnosis treated with IM at a dose of 340 mg/m2/day and with a follow-up ≥36 months, those with a persistent MR4.5-MR5 or in MR with long-term side effects, and those in MMR who were poorly compliant to continuous IM, were considered eligible for an intermittent IM (int-IM) administration. The intermittent schedule consisted of IM administered at the same dose for 3 weeks monthly (3 weeks on, 1 week off). Quantitative molecular analysis of the BCR-ABL1 transcript levels was carried out monthly on peripheral blood and every 3 months on bone marrow, along with cytogenetics. Long-term side effects (bone and mineral metabolism, growth rate and pubertal development) were regularly monitored. Re-treatment with IM given continuously or with other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) was planned if there was a loss of MMR in two consecutive samples or a cytogenetic relapse. IM discontinuation was considered for patients with a persistent MR4.5-MR5. Fifteen of 58 CP-CML pts diagnosed between March 2001 and June 2015 received IM given intermittently for a median of 40 months(range: 14-86). Before starting int-IM, 5 pts had been in persistent MR4.5-MR5 for a median of 39 months (Group I), 4 pts had been in MR for a median of 28.5 months and had been suffering from long-term side effects (Group II), and 6 pts had been in MMR and were poorly compliant to treatment (Group III). Features and outcome of the 15 pts are shown in Table 1. Group I: 3/5 pts in MR4.5-MR5 discontinued int-IM after 16, 34 and 36 months and remain in continuous MR after 89, 90 and 107 months; 2 pts are still receiving int-IM for 14 and 36 months, respectively. Group II: 2/4 pts achieved a deeper MR (1 from MR4 to MR4.5 and 1 from MR4.5 to MR5) while on int-IM. However, 3 pts lost the response after 24 (cytogenetic relapse), 40 and 77 (molecular) months from the beginning of int-IM; all of them were successfully treated with IM given continuously. One pt is still receiving int-IM. Group III: 2/6 pts achieved a deeper MR (1 from MR3 to MR4.5 and 1 from MR3 to MR4) while on int-IM. However, 5/6 patients lost their response after a median time of 69 months (57-74). Four of them were treated with IM given continuously and 1 received dasatinib; all obtained a response. One, who achieved a deeper MR (MR3 to MR4), is still on int-IM after 86 months. Overall, 4/15 (26.7%) pts improved their molecular response while on int-IM and 3/15 pts (20%) successfully discontinued treatment. On the other hand, 8/15 pts (53.3%) failed int-IM after a median of 63 months (range 24-77) from the beginning (6 pts lost MMR and 2 pts had a cytogenetic relapse). No pt underwent a stem cell transplantation. Long-term side effects (bone metabolism, growth rate and pubertal development) progressively improved during IM given intermittently. At the last follow-up, 6 pts (4 MR5, 1 MR4.5, 1 MR3) are still receiving int-IM, 5 (3 MR4, 2 MR2) are receiving continuous IM, 3 (MR4.5-MR5) are treatment-free and 1 (MR3) is being treated with dasatinib. All patients are alive at a median time from diagnosis of 151 months (range 52-266). Our experience suggests that an intermittent schedule of IM given 3 weeks a month could be an effective strategy before stopping IM in CP-CML children in persistent deep MR. Moreover, this approach is capable of improving the molecular response in poor compliant pts and is useful to reduce IM-related long-term side effects. The relatively high number of relapses in group III (5/6, 83%) is indicative of its poor efficacy in pts not compliant to IM given continuously. Based on these data, a prospective cooperative study has been planne

Perceived well-being and mental health in haemophilia

The investigation of mental health among persons with haemophilia is mostly focused on negative and disease-related&nbsp;indicators. Literature however shows that psychosocial resources and optimal daily functioning can co-exist&nbsp;with chronic disease. The Dual Continua Model operationalizes positive mental health as \u2018flourishing\u2019, a condition comprising emotional, psychological, and social well-being&nbsp;dimensions. In the present study physical and mental health were comparatively assessed through positive and negative indicators in adults with haemophilia and a&nbsp;control group. Participants included 84 Italian&nbsp;persons with severe haemophilia&nbsp;(Mage&nbsp;= 43.44;&nbsp;SDage&nbsp;= 13.04) and 164 adults without history of chronic illness&nbsp;(Mage&nbsp;= 40.98;&nbsp;SDage&nbsp;= 12.26), who completed the Short Form Health Survey, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the Mental Health Continuum Short Form. MANOVA and post-hoc t-tests provided evidence of worse general health, lower negative affect and higher psychological well-being among participants with haemophilia compared with the control group. Moreover, the percentage of flourishing individuals was higher among participants with haemophilia. Results support previous evidence suggesting that a&nbsp;chronic disease does not prevent mental well-being attainment. The identification of assets and strengths allowing people with haemophilia to flourish can be fruitfully used to design resource-centered&nbsp;interventions

Consensus statements on vaccination in patients with haemophilia-Results from the Italian haemophilia and vaccinations (HEVA) project

Vaccination against communicable diseases is crucial for disease prevention, but this practice poses challenges to healthcare professionals in patients with haemophilia. Poor knowledge of the vaccination requirements for these patients and safety concerns often result in vaccination delay or avoidance. In order to address this issue, a panel of 11 Italian haemophilia and immunization experts conducted a Delphi consensus process to identify the main concerns regarding the safe use of vaccines in patients with haemophilia. The consensus was based on a literature search of the available evidence, which was used by the experts to design 27 consensus statements. A group of clinicians then rated these statements using the 5-point Likert-type scale (1\ua0=\ua0strongly disagree; 5\ua0=\ua0strongly agree). The main issues identified by the expert panel included vaccination schedule for haemophilic patients; protocol and optimal route of vaccine administration; vaccination of haemophilic patients with antibodies inhibiting coagulation factor VIII (inhibitors); and vaccination and risk of inhibitor development. This manuscript discusses these controversial areas in detail supported by the available literature evidence and provides evidence- and consensus-based recommendations. Overall, participants agreed on most statements, except those addressing the potential role of vaccination in inhibitor formation. Participants agreed that patients with haemophilia should receive vaccinations according to the institutional schedule for individuals without bleeding disorders; however, vaccination of patients with haemophilia requires comprehensive planning, taking into account disease severity, type and route of vaccination, and bleeding risk. Data also suggest vaccination timing does not need to take into consideration when the patient received factor VIII replacement

Early response does not predict outcome in children and adolescents with chronic myeloid leukaemia treated with high-dose imatinib

We investigated the predictive value of the 3-month BCR-ABL1 transcript levels in terms of responses and outcome of 44 children and adolescents (<18 years at diagnosis) with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with high-dose imatinib (IM) (340 mg/m2/day). The transcript cutoff levels of 1% and 10% BCR-ABL1 IS were not predictive of either complete cytogenetic response at any time, overall molecular response (MR) and complete MR (CMR), and progression-free survival probabilities at 5 years. The 3-month transcript levels in children and adolescents with CML treated with high-dose IM do not appear to be informative for the prediction of outcomes

Multicenter randomized, double-blind controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of laser therapy for the treatment of severe oral mucositis induced by chemotherapy in children: LaMPO RCT

Abstract 1 Objectives To demonstrate the efficacy of laser photobiomodulation (PBM) compared to that of placebo on severe oral mucositis (OM) in pediatric oncology patients. The primary objective was the reduction of OM grade (World Health Organization [WHO] scale) 7 days after starting PBM. Secondary objectives were reduction of pain, analgesic consumption, and incidence of side effects. 2 Methods One hundred and one children with WHO grade > 2 chemotherapy‐induced OM were enrolled in eight Italian hospitals. Patients were randomized to either PBM or sham treatment for four consecutive days (days +1 to +4). On days +4, +7, and +11, OM grade, pain (following a 0–10 numeric pain rating scale, NRS) and need for analgesics were evaluated by an operator blinded to treatment. 3 Results Fifty‐one patients were allocated to the PBM group, and 50 were allocated to the sham group. In total, 93.7% of PBM patients and 72% of sham patients had OM grade < 3 WHO on day +7 (P = 0.01). A significant reduction of pain was registered on day +7 in the PBM versus sham group (NRS 1 [0–3] vs. 2.5 [1–5], P < 0.006). Reduced use of analgesics was reported in the PBM group, although it was not statistically significant. No significant adverse events attributable to treatment were recorded. 4 Conclusions PBM is a safe, feasible, and effective treatment for children affected by chemotherapy‐induced OM, as it accelerates mucosal recovery and reduces pain