BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccines in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer—A 1-Year Follow-Up

International audience(1) Background: Children and young adults with cancer are poorly represented in COVID-19 vaccination studies, and long-term protection conferred by vaccination is not known. (2) Objectives: 1. To determine the adverse effects associated with BNT162B2 vaccination in children and young adults with cancer. 2. To assess its efficacy in stimulating immunological response and in preventing severe COVID-19 disease. (3) Methods: Retrospective single-center study evaluating patients aged 8 to 22 years, with cancer, who underwent vaccination from January 2021 to June 2022. ELISA serologies and serum neutralization were collected monthly from the first injection. Serologies below 26 were considered negative, while those above 264 BAU/mL were considered positive and indicative of protection. Antibodies titers were considered positive above 20. Data on adverse events and infections were collected. (4) Results: 38 patients were included (M/F = 1.7, median age 16 years), of whom 63% had a localized tumor and 76% were undergoing treatment at the time of the first vaccination. Two or three vaccine injections were administered in 90% of patients. Adverse events were mainly systemic and not severe, except for seven grade 3 toxicities. Four cancer-related deaths were reported. Median serology was negative the month following the first vaccination and became protective during the third month. At 3 and 12 months, median serology was 1778 and 6437 BAU/mL, respectively. Serum neutralization was positive in 97% of the patients. COVID-19 infection occurred despite vaccination in 18%; all were mild forms. (5) Conclusions: In children and young adults with cancer, vaccination was well tolerated and conferred effective serum neutralization. COVID-19 infections were mild, and vaccine seroconversion persisted after 12 months in most patients. The value of additional vaccination should be further established

Metronomic Maintenance With Weekly Vinblastine After Induction With Bevacizumab-Irinotecan in Children With Low-grade Glioma Prevents Early Relapse

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How we approach early phase clinical trial and off-label therapy consults in pediatric oncology: The New Agents and Innovative Therapy (NAIT) team experience

In the context of hard-to-cure disease, pediatric oncologists may have to explore novel therapy options and explain their rationale, risks and constraints to patients and caregivers. The New Agents and Innovative Therapy (NAIT) program at Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto facilitates patient enrollment in clinical trials as well as access to innovative therapies outside of clinical trials. Here, we summarize our experience with helping patients, caregivers, and their primary oncology team navigate information and access to new therapeutic options through enrollment in clinical trials but also off-label and compassionate use. We expose our approach to exploring clinical trial and other therapy options. We share lessons learned from clinical practice regarding the specific role of NAIT consultant, as opposed to the primary oncologist or the disease expert. We expand on ways to communicate regarding the objectives of early phase clinical trials, their methods and the important commitment asked from participants. We describe our views on equipoise, uncertainty and hope in this very specific practice. We support a model of shared decision making and empowerment of patients and caregivers. We also detail the use, benefits and challenges of virtual care applied to NAIT consults. Overall, we hope to contribute and facilitate the NAIT practice not only for trained trialists but also less-specialized teams

Metronomic Chemotherapy for Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Survey of Current Practices and Opinions of Pediatric Oncologists

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