Introduction
Our objectives were to assess the quality of life (QoL) of parents of childhood leukemia survivors compared with population norms and to identify the determinants of parents’ long‐term ...QoL.
Methods
Parents of minors who had survived childhood leukemia participating in the French LEA cohort (Leucémie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent—French Childhood Cancer Survivor Study for Leukemia) were asked to complete the French version of the WHOQOL‐BREF. Results were compared with age‐ and sex‐matched values from a French reference population. Parents’ and survivors’ characteristics likely to be associated with QoL, long after the child's leukemia diagnosis, were explored using multivariate analysis.
Results
We included 487 parents (mean age 42.9 ± 6.0 years, mean follow‐up time from diagnosis 7.3 ± 3.3 years). Compared with the reference population, scores for physical health and social relationships for parents of childhood leukemia survivors were significantly lower (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.24 and P < 0.001, effect size = 0.29, respectively) contrary to scores for psychological health which were significantly higher (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.29). Even if health‐ and cancer‐related characteristics were associated with parents’ QoL in some dimensions, the only factor associated with each of the three dimensions (social relationships, physical health, and psychological) in the multivariate analysis was the parent's financial situation.
Conclusions
Long after leukemia diagnosis, the parents reported lower scores in the physical health and social relationship domains. Despite the difficulties of actually influencing socioeconomic characteristics, it is important to consider the social situation of each family in the long‐term care of survivors and their families.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Late cardiomyopathy in childhood acute myeloid leukemia survivors: a study from the L.E.A. program Prognosis of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has improved significantly over the past two ...decades with survival rates now approaching 70%. 1 Therapy consists of a limited number of intensive chemotherapy courses mainly based on cytarabine and anthracycline. 2,3 Many pediatric late anthracycline cardiotoxicity studies have concerned heterogeneous diagnostic groups. Moreover, single childhood cancer studies were mainly conducted in acute lym-phoblastic leukemia, whereas the highest doses of anthra-cycline are given in children with AML. 4-6 We report here a prospective multi-centric study of late cardiotoxicity in 185 patients surviving childhood AML. All were treated after 1989 in French clinical trials using intensive chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). L.E.A. (Leucémie Enfant & Adolescent) is a French prospective long-term follow-up program involving all childhood acute leukemia survivors treated in the participating centers since 1980. Details of the programm are provided elsewhere. 7 As of 31 December 2011, 282 childhood AML survivors fulfilled the L.E.A. inclusion criteria and 218 (77.3%) of them agreed to participate. Among these 218, 185 were treated according to one of the 6 multicenter trial protocols ongoing in France after January 1989. All 185 had serial echocardiographic examination as part of their L.E.A. program, and all were included in the present study. All provided written informed consent. Cardiotoxicity was defined by either clinical symptoms of congestive heart failure or by an abnormal echocardiographic left ventricular function. Left ventricular function was considered abnormal when the shortening fraction (SF) was less than 28% or when the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was less than 55% on 2D echocardiography. 8-10 Cardiotoxicity was classified as late when it started or persisted beyond one year after the completion of first-line treatment. 9 Cumulative anthracycline doses used in each trial are described in the Online Supplementary Table S1, as well as the doxorubicin-equivalent doses using conversion factors of 0.83, 4.0 and 5.0 for daunorubicin, mitoxantrone and idarubicin, respectively. 10,11 Assessment of health status, long-term late effects on health-related quality of life (QoL), and statistical analysis are described in the Online Supplementary Appendix. Characteristics of the study cohort are summarized in Table 1. Median age at the time of AML diagnosis and median follow-up duration to last cardiac evaluation were 6.53 and 9.5 years, respectively. Thirty-seven patients had a history of relapse. Median cumulative anthracycline dose was 372 mg/m² (Online Supplementary Figure S1). Ninety-nine patients were treated by chemotherapy alone, whereas the other 86 patients also received HSCT (57 in first remission, 25 in second remission, and 4 in more advanced disease). Thirty children received total body irradiation (TBI), but only 10 among the 57 transplanted in first remission did so. Median number of echographic evaluations was 3 per patient. Subclinical cardiotoxicity (SCC) was observed in 23 of 185 patients (12.4%) at least once during their follow-up program. Median time from AML diagnosis to SCC detection was 4.40 years. In these 23 patients, the median value of the worst SF was 27% and the median value of the worst LVEF was 52. Only 3 of 23 patients had a worse SF value of less than 25% (2 had 20%; 1 had 24%). Six of 23 received anti-congestive therapy and none had cardiac transplantation. Five of those receiving anti-congestive therapy were still being treated at time of last evaluation, and 4 had more than 28% SF and more than 55% LVEF. Seventeen patients never received treatment: 11 had spontaneous improvement with more than 28% SF and more than 55% LVEF at last evaluation. Finally, at last cardiac evaluation, only 8 patients had an abnormal left ventricular function. Cumulative incidence (CI) of cardiotoxicity, estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method was 16% and 27% at 10 and 15 years, respectively (Figure 1A). CI of anti-conges-tive treatment at the same follow-up times was 5% and 7%. The risk of developing cardiotoxicity depended on a previous history of relapse and on the cumulative anthracy-cline dose. At ten years from diagnosis, CI was 35% versus 11% in patients with or without history of relapse (P=0.02) (Figure 1B). Among 148 patients without any history of relapse, 10-year CI of cardiotoxicity was 14% in 97 patients treated with chemotherapy alone versus 8% in 51 patients who underwent HSCT in first remission (NS, Figure 1C). In transplanted children, the risk was not modified by either a grade 2-4 acute or an extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease. The CI of anti-congestive treatment in these 148 patients who never experienced relapse was 3% at ten and
Les nausées et vomissements chimio-induits sont des effets indésirables fréquents et redoutés des traitements anticancéreux. L’impact majeur des nausées et vomissements chimio-induits sur l’état ...général du patient et sur sa qualité de vie nécessite une prophylaxie adaptée au niveau émétisant de sa chimiothérapie et au profil du patient. L’objectif du présent travail est de proposer une mise à jour des recommandations de prise en charge des nausées et vomissements chimio-induits en oncohématologie pédiatrique grâce à une adaptation des recommandations de bonne pratique clinique du Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) pour une utilisation en France. L’adaptation des recommandations de bonne pratique clinique est une méthode reconnue permettant d’ajuster des recommandations de bonne pratique clinique déjà existantes au contexte local. Un groupe de travail pluridisciplinaire francophone a été constitué afin de se concerter sur chacune des recommandations du POGO concernant les nausées et vomissements chimio-induits en phases aiguë et retardée, non-maîtrisés, réfractaires et anticipés ainsi que sur le niveau de preuve qui les appuient. Il a été demandé aux membres du groupe s’ils souhaitaient adopter, modifier ou rejeter chacune des recommandations du POGO en vue d’en proposer une version française. La validation d’une recommandation nécessitait un minimum de 80 % des votes en sa faveur. Les arbres décisionnels et tableaux créés par le groupe de travail recensent toutes les recommandations et permettent d’avoir une meilleure vue d’ensemble pour une prise de décision adaptée au profil du patient. Dès lors que ces recommandations seront diffusées et implémentées dans les établissements de soins prenant en charge les enfants atteints de cancer en France, une évaluation de l’adhésion aux recommandations et du contrôle des nausées et vomissements chimio-induits devrait être entreprise.
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are frequent and dreaded side effects in cancer treatments. CINV has a major impact on patient's condition and quality of life. Prophylaxis is tailored to patient's profile and the emetogenic level of their chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to update the recommendations for CINV prevention and management in pediatric onco-hematology for use in France, by adapting the guidelines of the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO). Clinical practice guideline adaptation is a recognized method for tailoring existing clinical practice guidelines to local context. A multidisciplinary French-speaking panel was formed to discuss about POGO guideline recommendations for the acute and delayed phases, breakthrough, refractory and anticipatory CINV and the evidence supporting them. Panel members were asked whether they wanted to adopt, modify or reject each of the POGO guideline recommendations. Panel members translated each recommendation and adapted recommendations for an implementation in France. Their acceptance required agreement at least 80 % of panel members. Algorithms and tables were created, listing all the recommendations and providing a better overview for decision-making process adapted to the patient's profile. These recommendations should be reviewed for implementation at French institutions caring for pediatric cancer patients and once implemented, the rates of adherence to recommendations and CINV control should be reported.
To obtain a national overview of the epidemiology and management of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in France for severely immunocompromised children who were treated for acute leukemia or had ...undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (a-HSCT).
We performed a national multicenter retrospective study to collect epidemiologic data for proven and probable IFIs in children with acute leukemia under first- line or relapse treatment or who had undergone a-HSCT. We also conducted a prospective practice survey to provide a national overview of IFI management in pediatric hematology units.
From January 2014 to December 2017, 144 cases of IFI were diagnosed (5.3%) in 2721 patients, including 61 cases of candidiasis, 60 cases of aspergillosis, and 23 cases of infection with “emergent” fungi, including 10 cases of mucormycosis and 6 cases of fusariosis. The IFI rate was higher in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (12.9%) (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 2.15-4.81; P < .0001) compared with the rest of the cohort. Patients undergoing a-HSCT had an IFI rate of only 4.3%. In these patients, the use of primary antifungal prophylaxis (principally fluconazole) was associated with a lower IFI rate (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.14-0.60; P = 4.90 ×10−4) compared with a-HSCT recipients who did not receive antifungal prophylaxis. The main cause of IFI in children receiving prophylaxis was emergent pathogens (41%), such as mucormycosis and fusariosis, which were resistant to the prophylactic agents.
The emerging fungi and new antifungal resistance profiles uncovered in this study should be considered in IFI management in immunocompromised children.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Although survival from childhood cancer has increased, little is known on the long-term impact of treatment late effects on occupational attainment or work ability.
A total of 3512 five-year ...survivors treated before the age of 19 years in 10 French cancer centres between 1948 and 2000 were identified. Educational level, employment status and occupational class of survivors were assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. These outcome measures were compared with sex-age rates recorded in the French population, using indirect standardisation. Paternal occupational class was also considered to control for the role of survivors' socioeconomic background on their achievement. Multivariable analyses were conducted to explore clinical characteristics associated with the outcomes.
A total of 2406 survivors responded to the questionnaire and survivors aged below 25 years were included in the current analysis. Compared with national statistics adjusted on age and sex, male survivors were more likely to be college graduates (39.2% vs 30.9% expected; P<0.001). This higher achievement was not observed either for leukaemia or central nervous system (CNS) tumour survivors. Health-related unemployment was higher for survivors of CNS tumour (28.1% vs 4.3%; P<0.001) but not for survivors of other diagnoses. Survivors of non-CNS childhood cancer had a similar or a higher occupational class than expected.
Survivors treated for CNS tumour or leukaemia, especially when treatment included cranial irradiation, might need support throughout their lifespan.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Purpose
This study describes chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) control rates in pediatric and adult patients who did or did not receive guideline-consistent CINV prophylaxis.
Methods
We ...conducted a systematic literature review of studies published in 2000 or later that evaluated CINV control in patients receiving guideline-consistent vs. guideline-inconsistent CINV prophylaxis and reported at least one CINV-related patient outcome. Studies were excluded if the guideline evaluated was not publicly available or not developed by a professional organization. Over-prophylaxis was defined as antiemetic use recommended for a higher level of chemotherapy emetogenicity than a patient was receiving.
Results
We identified 7060 citations and retrieved 141 publications for full-text evaluation. Of these, 21 publications (14 prospective and seven retrospective studies) evaluating guidelines developed by six organizations were included. The terms used to describe CINV endpoints and definition of guideline-consistent CINV prophylaxis varied among studies. Included studies either did not address over-prophylaxis in their definition of guideline-consistent CINV prophylaxis (48%; 10/21) or defined it as guideline-inconsistent (38%; 8/21) or guideline-consistent (3/21; 14%). Eleven included studies (52%; 11/21) reported a clinically meaningful improvement in at least one CINV endpoint in patients receiving guideline-consistent CINV prophylaxis. Ten reported a statistically significant improvement.
Conclusions
This evidence supports the use of guideline-consistent prophylaxis to optimize CINV control. Institutions caring for patients with cancer should systematically adapt CINV CPGs for local implementation and routinely evaluate CINV outcomes.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Summary
The French national cohort of children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) has included 1478 patients since it was established in 1983. LCH therapeutic strategies substantially changed ...in 1998, so we have divided the cohort into two 15‐year periods. Starting in 1998, therapy duration increased from 6 to 12 months, repeated induction therapy was performed in cases showing a poor response to the first induction with vinblastine and steroids, and refractory disease in a risk organ (RO+) was treated with cladribine and cytarabine. A total of 483 (33%) patients were enrolled before 1998, and 995 (67%) after 1998. Five‐year survival was 96·6% (95% confidence interval: 95·4–97·5%) overall, improving from 92% pre‐1998 to 99% post‐1998 (P < 0·001 adjusted to disease extent). This change was supported by an increase in 5‐year survival from 60% to 92% in the RO+ group. Survival was particularly associated with cladribine and cytarabine among refractory RO+ patients. Disease reactivation was slightly less frequent after 1998, due to better enrolment of single‐system patients, extended therapy duration, and more efficient second‐line therapy. The crude rates of endocrine and neurological sequelae (the most frequent sequelae) appeared to improve over time, but this difference was not observed when the analysis was stratified by disease extent.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The main aim of the Leucémies de l'Enfant et l'Adolescent (LEA) project (Childhood and Adolescent Leukaemia) is to study the determinants (medical, socioeconomic, behavioural and environmental) of ...medium- and long-term outcomes of patients treated for childhood acute leukaemia (AL). The LEA study began in 2004 and is based on a French multicentric prospective cohort. Included are children treated for AL since January 1980 (incident and prevalent cases), surviving at month 24 for myeloblastic AL and lymphoblastic AL grafted in first complete remission or at month 48 for lymphoblastic AL not grafted in first complete remission. Information is collected during specific medical visits and notably includes the following data: socioeconomic data, AL history, physical late effects (such as fertility, cardiac function and metabolic syndrome) and quality of life. Data are collected every 2 years until the patient is 20 years old and has had a 10-year follow-up duration from diagnosis or last relapse. Thereafter, assessments are planned every 4 years. In active centres in 2013, eligible patients number more than 3000. The cohort has already included 2385 survivors, with rate of exhaustiveness of almost 80%. Data access can be requested from principal coordinators and must be approved by the steering committee.
Background
The HIT-SKK protocol is used for low/standard-risk medulloblastomas in young children with the aim to eliminate cranial irradiation and its neuropsychological (NP) sequelae. This therapy ...includes IV and intraventricular (ITV) methotrexate (MTX) potentially responsible for leukoencephalopathy (LE) and neurocognitive disorders. This study describes the risk factors and course of LE, and investigates its correlation with neurocognitive impact.
Methods
A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted in 35 children under 5 years old, with a median follow-up of 72 months (range 14 to 130). The main analysis was performed in 30 patients who received cumulative doses of MTX as per-protocol (group 1). Five patients who received higher cumulative doses of MTX were analyzed separately. All follow-up MRIs and NP assessments were centrally reviewed by experts.
Results
Twenty patients in group 1 developed LE, grade 2 and 3 abnormalities did not correlate with higher cumulative doses of ITV-MTX (p = 0.698). Considering the most recent NP evaluation, the Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) and Wechsler indices were in the average to lower average range. The FSIQ was deficient in 6/17 evaluable patients. Cumulative dose of ITV-MTX was almost associated with decreased processing speed competence (p = 0.055) which was the most frequently impaired neurocognitive domain. Neuropsychological assessment scores were not statistically lower in patients with persistent grade 2 LE at the end of follow-up.
Conclusion
This study described that the use of cumulative dose of MTX (IV and ITV) according to the HIT-SKK protocol resulted in LE that tented to decrease over time, without significant correlation with a decline in neuro-intellectual skills.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Abstract
BACKGROUND: HIT-SKK protocol is used for the treatment of low risk medulloblastomas in young children with the aim of eliminating cranial irradiation and its long-term side effects, in ...particular neuropsychological (NP) sequelae. This therapy includes IV and intraventricular (ITV) methotrexate (MTX) potentially responsible for leukoencephalopathy (LE) and neurocognitive disorders.The objectives are to describe the risk factors and the course of LE, and to investigate its impact on long-term neurocognitive and behavioural outcome. METHODS: A French retrospective, multicenter study including 35 children under 5 years of age, treated between 2009 and 2017, with a median follow up of 72 months. All follow-up MRIs including assessment of the severity of the LE (Fazekas and CTCAE grading) and all NP evaluations were centrally rewieved. RESULTS: 25/34 evaluable patients presented a LE during follow up, in a median delay of 2 months (1 - 17 months) after the start of chemotherapy. Grade 2 and 3 abnormalities were correlated with higher cumulative dose of ITV -MTX (p=0,01). Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and Wechsler indexes were in the average or low average of the reference population. FSIQ was deficient in 7/20 evaluable patients. Processing speed (PSI) was the most frequently impaired neurocognitive domain: 9/20 patients with borderline or very low score, all having received a significantly higher cumulative dose of ITV-MTX (p=0,04). A decrease in overall NP scores was observed in patients for whom grade 2 or 3 LE persisted at the end of follow-up with an average FSIQ estimated at 82.1 (SD 16.9) versus 94.2 (SD 20.6). This decrease was significant for PSI (p=0,049). LE and neurocognitive impairments were not correlated with a younger age at diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the responsibility of MTX, and in particular ITV-MTX therapy in the onset and, most often, persistence of LE and its association with neurocognitive disorders.