Importance of adjusting dual-energy X-ray output for body size: an example from survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We compared DXA whole body and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) using manufacturers software with a body size correction which derived bone mineral content (BMC) for bone area in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Saudi Arabia (n = 51, mean age 13.5 y). With no corrections, 29 patients (57%) had lumbar spine BMD Z score < -1.

Improved outcome for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after risk-adjusted intensive therapy: a single-institution experience.

Background And Objective: Because of the need for more comprehensive information on the least toxic and most effective forms of therapy for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we reviewed our experience in the treatment of children with ALL at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) and King Fahad National Center for Children's Cancer and Research (KFNCCC&R) over a period of 18 years with a focus on patient characteristics and outcome.

Methods: During the period of 1981 to 1998, records of children with ALL were retrospectively reviewed with respect to clinical presentation, laboratory findings, risk factors, stratification, therapy and outcome. The protocols used in treatment included 4 local protocols (KFSH 81, 84, 87 and 90), and subsequently, Children's Cancer Group (CCG) protocols, and these were grouped as Era 1 (1981-1992) and Era 2 (1993-1998).

Preclinical validation of a monochrome real-time multiplex assay for translocations in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Purpose: The purpose is to develop a real-time multiplex reverse transcription-PCR assay for detection and quantification of leukemia-specific chimeric transcripts that identify the genetic subgroups of acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs) proposed by the WHO classification.

Experimental Design: Real-time multiplex assay for t(12;21), t(4;11), and t(1;19) with hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase as internal standard used in tandem with a new real time quantitative-RT-PCR assay for the t(9;22). This new strategy was designed to yield an amplicon from each translocation with a distinct melting peak allowing dependable identification using only Sybr green I, without any need for expensive hybridization probes.