Medulloblastoma is associated with rare hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes; however, consensus medulloblastoma predisposition genes have not been defined and screening guidelines for genetic ...counselling and testing for paediatric patients are not available. We aimed to assess and define these genes to provide evidence for future screening guidelines.
In this international, multicentre study, we analysed patients with medulloblastoma from retrospective cohorts (International Cancer Genome Consortium ICGC PedBrain, Medulloblastoma Advanced Genomics International Consortium MAGIC, and the CEFALO series) and from prospective cohorts from four clinical studies (SJMB03, SJMB12, SJYC07, and I-HIT-MED). Whole-genome sequences and exome sequences from blood and tumour samples were analysed for rare damaging germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes. DNA methylation profiling was done to determine consensus molecular subgroups: WNT (MBWNT), SHH (MBSHH), group 3 (MBGroup3), and group 4 (MBGroup4). Medulloblastoma predisposition genes were predicted on the basis of rare variant burden tests against controls without a cancer diagnosis from the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC). Previously defined somatic mutational signatures were used to further classify medulloblastoma genomes into two groups, a clock-like group (signatures 1 and 5) and a homologous recombination repair deficiency-like group (signatures 3 and 8), and chromothripsis was investigated using previously established criteria. Progression-free survival and overall survival were modelled for patients with a genetic predisposition to medulloblastoma.
We included a total of 1022 patients with medulloblastoma from the retrospective cohorts (n=673) and the four prospective studies (n=349), from whom blood samples (n=1022) and tumour samples (n=800) were analysed for germline mutations in 110 cancer predisposition genes. In our rare variant burden analysis, we compared these against 53 105 sequenced controls from ExAC and identified APC, BRCA2, PALB2, PTCH1, SUFU, and TP53 as consensus medulloblastoma predisposition genes according to our rare variant burden analysis and estimated that germline mutations accounted for 6% of medulloblastoma diagnoses in the retrospective cohort. The prevalence of genetic predispositions differed between molecular subgroups in the retrospective cohort and was highest for patients in the MBSHH subgroup (20% in the retrospective cohort). These estimates were replicated in the prospective clinical cohort (germline mutations accounted for 5% of medulloblastoma diagnoses, with the highest prevalence 14% in the MBSHH subgroup). Patients with germline APC mutations developed MBWNT and accounted for most (five 71% of seven) cases of MBWNT that had no somatic CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations. Patients with germline mutations in SUFU and PTCH1 mostly developed infant MBSHH. Germline TP53 mutations presented only in childhood patients in the MBSHH subgroup and explained more than half (eight 57% of 14) of all chromothripsis events in this subgroup. Germline mutations in PALB2 and BRCA2 were observed across the MBSHH, MBGroup3, and MBGroup4 molecular subgroups and were associated with mutational signatures typical of homologous recombination repair deficiency. In patients with a genetic predisposition to medulloblastoma, 5-year progression-free survival was 52% (95% CI 40–69) and 5-year overall survival was 65% (95% CI 52–81); these survival estimates differed significantly across patients with germline mutations in different medulloblastoma predisposition genes.
Genetic counselling and testing should be used as a standard-of-care procedure in patients with MBWNT and MBSHH because these patients have the highest prevalence of damaging germline mutations in known cancer predisposition genes. We propose criteria for routine genetic screening for patients with medulloblastoma based on clinical and molecular tumour characteristics.
German Cancer Aid; German Federal Ministry of Education and Research; German Childhood Cancer Foundation (Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung); European Research Council; National Institutes of Health; Canadian Institutes for Health Research; German Cancer Research Center; St Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center; American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities; Swiss National Science Foundation; European Molecular Biology Organization; Cancer Research UK; Hertie Foundation; Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust; V Foundation for Cancer Research; Sontag Foundation; Musicians Against Childhood Cancer; BC Cancer Foundation; Swedish Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare; Swedish Research Council; Swedish Cancer Society; the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority; Danish Strategic Research Council; Swiss Federal Office of Public Health; Swiss Research Foundation on Mobile Communication; Masaryk University; Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic; Research Council of Norway; Genome Canada; Genome BC; Terry Fox Research Institute; Ontario Institute for Cancer Research; Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario; The Family of Kathleen Lorette and the Clark H Smith Brain Tumour Centre; Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation; The Hospital for Sick Children: Sonia and Arthur Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Chief of Research Fund, Cancer Genetics Program, Garron Family Cancer Centre, MDT's Garron Family Endowment; BC Childhood Cancer Parents Association; Cure Search Foundation; Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation; Brainchild; and the Government of Ontario.
The X-linked BCL-6 co-repressor (BCOR) gene encodes a key constituent of a variant polycomb repressive complex (PRC) that is mutated or translocated in human cancers. Here we report on the ...identification of somatic internal tandem duplications (ITDs) clustering in the C terminus of BCOR in 23 of 27 (85%) pediatric clear cell sarcomas of the kidney (CCSK) from two independent cohorts. We profile CCSK tumours using a combination of whole-exome, transcriptome and targeted sequencing. Identical ITD mutations are found in primary and relapsed tumour pairs but not in adjacent normal kidney or blood. Mutant BCOR transcripts and proteins are markedly upregulated in ITD-positive tumours. Transcriptome analysis of ITD-positive CCSKs reveals enrichment for PRC2-regulated genes and similarity to undifferentiated sarcomas harbouring BCOR-CCNB3 fusions. The discovery of recurrent BCOR ITDs defines a major oncogenic event in this childhood sarcoma with significant implications for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to this tumour.
More than 60% of supratentorial ependymomas harbor a
(ZR
) gene fusion (formerly
). To study the biology of ZR
, we developed an autochthonous mouse tumor model using
electroporation (IUE) of the ...embryonic mouse brain. Integrative epigenomic and transcriptomic mapping was performed on IUE-driven ZR
tumors by CUT&RUN, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing, and RNA sequencing and compared with human ZR
-driven ependymoma. In addition to direct canonical NFκB pathway activation, ZR
dictates a neoplastic transcriptional program and binds to thousands of unique sites across the genome that are enriched with PLAGL family transcription factor (TF) motifs. ZR
activates gene expression programs through recruitment of transcriptional coactivators (Brd4, Ep300, Cbp, Pol2) that are amenable to pharmacologic inhibition. Downstream ZR
target genes converge on developmental programs marked by PLAGL TF proteins, and activate neoplastic programs enriched in Mapk, focal adhesion, and gene imprinting networks. SIGNIFICANCE: Ependymomas are aggressive brain tumors. Although drivers of supratentorial ependymoma (
- and
-associated gene fusions) have been discovered, their functions remain unclear. Our study investigates the biology of
-driven ependymoma, specifically mechanisms of transcriptional deregulation and direct downstream gene networks that may be leveraged for potential therapeutic testing.
.
Global Disparities in Wilms Tumor Cunningham, Megan E.; Klug, Theodore D.; Nuchtern, Jed G. ...
The Journal of surgical research,
March 2020, 2020-Mar, 2020-03-00, 20200301, Letnik:
247
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Wilms tumor accounts for more than 90% of all malignant kidney neoplasms in children. Survival after diagnosis and treatment is excellent in most high-income countries. Low- and middle-income ...countries (LMICs) continue to struggle with Wilms tumor detection and treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the global incidence and outcomes of Wilms tumor.
Wilms tumor incidence data from the World Health Organization (WHO), International Incidence of Childhood Cancer, Volume III, was analyzed according to world region and country socioeconomic status using descriptive statistics and independent-sample Kruskal–Wallis Test. A literature review was also performed to assess outcomes and identify common themes.
Wilms tumor was most common in children aged 0-4 y (median incidence 15.1 IQR 11.8-18.7 ASR/million). High-income countries reported significantly higher median incidence than middle-income countries (8.6 7.4–9.3 versus 6.1 4.9–8.7 ASR/million; P < 0.01), although low-income countries reported the highest median incidence overall (9.8 6.2–16.4 ASR/million). Low-income countries had the fewest countries with registries (n = 6). Overall survival ranged from 70% to 97% in high-income countries, 61%–94% in upper-middle-income countries, 0%–85% in lower-middle-income countries, and 25%–53% in low-income countries. Delay in diagnosis, lack of available treatment, and inadequate follow up contributed to the large variations in outcomes.
Reported Wilms tumor incidence is highest in low-income countries, and these are also the countries that have the lowest survival. Lack of significance may reflect incomplete and absent data reporting from lower income countries. Accurate and comprehensive registries are the first steps to appropriate resource allocation in order to improve outcomes for this highly curable childhood malignancy.
Global health disparities in childhood cancers Lubega, Joseph; Kimutai, Robert L; Chintagumpala, Murali M
Current opinion in pediatrics,
2021-Feb-01, 2021-02-00, 20210201, Letnik:
33, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The high cure rates of children with cancer in high-income countries (HICs) are due to the impact of biomedical innovations on children with highly fatal diseases. We discuss why these innovations ...have not benefitted most children with cancer globally and propose broad strategies to reduce these disparities.
Over 85% of children with cancer in HIC are cured while less than 20% in many low-income countries survive the disease. Hence, childhood cancer survival is poor globally since over 80% of children with cancer live in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Inadequate skilled workforce and health infrastructure across all disciplines of pediatrics in LMIC are the main reasons for these disparities. Although biological differences may contribute to these disparities as well, many are unconfirmed because they are confounded by differences in referral patterns and clinical capacity. HIC partnerships with LMIC that focus on locally based pediatrics training and clinical infrastructure building are beginning to close the gap.
Pediatric oncology is symbolic of the significant disparities in childhood survival arising from poverty, inadequate pediatric infrastructure, and skilled workforce in LMIC. Partnerships with HIC that build multidisciplinary pediatrics capacity and clinical infrastructure are beginning to make transformative improvements.
The Children's Oncology Group study AREN0534 aimed to improve event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) while preserving renal tissue by intensifying preoperative chemotherapy, completing ...definitive surgery by 12 weeks from diagnosis, and modifying postoperative chemotherapy based on histologic response.
No prospective therapeutic clinic trials in children with bilateral Wilms tumors (BWT) exist. Historical outcomes for this group were poor and often involved prolonged chemotherapy; on NWTS-5, 4-year EFS for all children with BWT was 56%.
Patients were enrolled and imaging studies were centrally reviewed to assess for bilateral renal lesions. They were treated with 3-drug induction chemotherapy (vincristine, dactinomycin, and doxorubicin) for 6 or 12 weeks based on radiographic response followed by surgery and further chemotherapy determined by histology. Radiation therapy was provided for postchemotherapy stage III and IV disease.
One hundred eighty-nine of 208 patients were evaluable. Four-year EFS and OS were 82.1% (95% CI: 73.5%-90.8%) and 94.9% (95% CI: 90.1%-99.7%. Twenty-three patients relapsed and 7 had disease progression. After induction chemotherapy 163 of 189 (84.0%) underwent definitive surgical treatment in at least 1 kidney by 12 weeks and 39% retained parts of both kidneys. Surgical approaches included: unilateral total nephrectomy with contralateral partial nephrectomy (48%), bilateral partial nephrectomy (35%), unilateral total nephrectomy (10.5%), unilateral partial nephrectomy (4%), and bilateral total nephrectomies (2.5%).
This treatment approach including standardized 3-drug preoperative chemotherapy, surgical resection within 12 weeks of diagnosis and response and histology-based postoperative therapy improved EFS and OS and preservation of renal parenchyma compared with historical outcomes for children with BWT.
Purpose
WHO grade 4 gliomas are rare in the pediatric and adolescent and young adult (AYA) population. We evaluated prognostic factors and outcomes in the pediatric versus AYA population.
Methods
...This retrospective pooled study included patients less than 30 years old (yo) with grade 4 gliomas treated with modern surgery and radiotherapy. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were characterized using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis.
Results
Ninety-seven patients met criteria with median age 23.9 yo at diagnosis. Seventy-seven patients were ≥ 15 yo (79%) and 20 patients were < 15 yo (21%). Most had biopsy-proven glioblastoma (91%); the remainder had H3 K27M-altered diffuse midline glioma (DMG; 9%). All patients received surgery and radiotherapy. Median PFS and OS were 20.9 months and 79.4 months, respectively. Gross total resection (GTR) was associated with better PFS in multivariate analysis HR 2.00 (1.01–3.62), p = 0.023. Age ≥ 15 yo was associated with improved OS HR 0.36 (0.16–0.81), p = 0.014 while female gender HR 2.12 (1.08–4.16), p = 0.03 and DMG histology HR 2.79 (1.11–7.02), p = 0.029 were associated with worse OS. Only 7% of patients experienced grade 2 toxicity. 62% of patients experienced tumor progression (28% local, 34% distant). Analysis of salvage treatment found that second surgery and systemic therapy significantly improved survival.
Conclusion
Age is a significant prognostic factor in WHO grade 4 glioma, which may reflect age-related molecular alterations in the tumor. DMG was associated with worse OS than glioblastoma. Reoperation and systemic therapy significantly increased survival after disease progression. Prospective studies in this population are warranted.
BACKGROUND
Both intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (RT) and passively scattered proton therapy have a risk of secondary malignant neoplasm (SMN) in children. To determine the influence of RT modality ...on the incidence of SMN after craniospinal irradiation (CSI), the authors compared the incidence of SMN in children who had medulloblastoma treated with either photon CSI plus an intensity‐modulated RT boost (group I) or passively scattered proton CSI plus a boost (group II).
METHODS
From 1996 to 2014, 115 children with medulloblastoma (group I, n = 63; group II, n = 52) received CSI followed by a boost to the tumor bed. Most patients had standard‐risk disease (63.5%). The median follow‐up was 12.8 years for group I and 8.7 years for group II.
RESULTS
The 5‐year and 10‐year overall survival (OS) rates were 88.8% and 85.1%, respectively, for standard‐risk patients and 63.1% and 57.3%, respectively, for high‐risk patients, with no OS difference by RT modality (P = .81). Six SMNs were identified (4 in group I, 2 in group II). The 5‐year and 10‐year SMN incidence rates were 1.0% and 6.9%, respectively (0.0% and 8.0%, respectively, in group I; 2.2% and 4.9%, respectively, in group II; P = .74). Two SMNs occurred in the clinical target volume in the brain, 2 occurred in the exit dose region from the photon spinal field, 1 occurred in the entrance path of a proton beam, and 1 occurred outside the radiation field. There were no reported cases of secondary leukemia.
CONCLUSIONS
This analysis demonstrates no difference in OS or SMN incidence between patients in groups I and II 10 years after RT.
LAY SUMMARY
One hundred fifteen children with medulloblastoma received radiotherapy (RT) with either photon craniospinal irradiation (CSI) and an intensity‐modulated RT boost (group I; n = 63) or passively scattered proton CSI and a boost (group II;, n = 52).
The majority of children had standard‐risk disease (63.5%).
The 5‐year and 10‐year overall survival rates were 88.8% and 85.1% for standard‐risk patients, respectively, and 63.1% and 57.3% for high‐risk patients, respectively, with no difference in overall survival by RT group (P = .81).
The 5‐year and 10‐year second malignant neoplasm incidence rates were 1.0% and 6.9%, respectively, with no difference in second malignant neoplasm incidence according to RT group (P = .74).
In total, 115 children with medulloblastoma who received surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy (RT) with either 3‐dimensional RT followed by an intensity‐modulated boost (n = 63) or passively scattered proton therapy (n = 52) are assessed. At 10 years after RT, there are no differences in overall survival or secondary malignant neoplasms according to RT modality.
•Proton beam therapy (PBT) provides excellent local control for pediatric patients with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS).•Tumor size greater than 5 cm predicted increased risk of local failure, ...supporting ongoing dose escalation trial efforts.•Tumors with intracranial extension (ICE) had high rates of local and leptomeningeal relapse.•Delayed delivery of local therapy may drive higher rates of relapse seen among patients with ICE tumors.•The late toxicity profile of patients treated with PBT compares favorably to that of prior series using IMRT.
Pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the head and neck (H&N) are treated with multimodal therapy, often with radiotherapy (RT) as definitive local therapy. We report on the patterns of failure following proton beam therapy (PBT) for H&N RMS.
Forty-six H&N RMS patients were enrolled on a prospective registry protocol between 2006 and 2015. All were treated with a combination of chemotherapy (ChT) and PBT. Most patients (25 patients, 54%) had parameningeal tumors, of which 11 (24%) had intracranial extension (ICE). Thirteen patients (28%) had primary tumors greater than 5 cm. Median total cyclophosphamide (CPM) equivalent dose was 13.2 g/m2 (range 0–16.8 g/m2). Median RT dose was 50.4 Gy(RBE) (range 36 GyRBE–50.8 GyRBE).
With median follow-up of 3.9 years, five-year overall survival was 76%, and five-year progression-free survival was 57%. Seventeen patients (37%) experienced relapse, including 7 with local failure (LF). Five-year local control (LC) was 84%. Tumor size greater than 5 cm predicted increased risk of LF (hazard ratio HR 6.49, p = 0.03), as did the presence of ICE at diagnosis (HR 5.21, p = 0.03). Six relapses occurred in patients with ICE; all included a component of central nervous system relapse, with leptomeningeal disease and/or LF with an intracranial component. Delayed RT delivery after week 4 of ChT predicted increased risk of relapse for ICE patients (HR 10.49, p = 0.006).
PBT confers excellent LC, and a favorable late toxicity profile as compared with prior photon RT data. Our observations support ongoing trial efforts to dose-escalate RT for patients with larger tumors. However, these data raise concerns regarding excess failures among patients with ICE.
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