Prognostic value of patient-derived xenograft engraftment in pediatric sarcomas.

The goals of this work were to identify factors favoring patient-derived xenograft (PDX) engraftment and study the association between PDX engraftment and prognosis in pediatric patients with Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. We used immunodeficient mice to establish 30 subcutaneous PDX from patient tumor biopsies, with a successful engraftment rate of 44%. Age greater than 12 years and relapsed disease were patient factors associated with higher engraftment rate.

Tissue Compatibility of SN-38-Loaded Anticancer Nanofiber Matrices.

Delivery of chemotherapy in the surgical bed has shown preclinical activity to control cancer progression upon subtotal resection of pediatric solid tumors, but whether this new treatment is safe for tumor-adjacent healthy tissues remains unknown. Here, Wistar rats are used to study the anatomic and functional impact of electrospun nanofiber matrices eluting SN-38-a potent chemotherapeutic agent-on several body sites where pediatric tumors such as neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma arise. Blank and SN-38-loaded matrices embracing the femoral neurovascular bundle or in direct contact with abdominal viscera (liver, kidney, urinary bladder, intestine, and uterus) are placed.

SN-38-loaded nanofiber matrices for local control of pediatric solid tumors after subtotal resection surgery.

In addition to surgery, local tumor control in pediatric oncology requires new treatments as an alternative to radiotherapy. SN-38 is an anticancer drug with proved activity against several pediatric solid tumors including neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. Taking advantage of the extremely low aqueous solubility of SN-38, we have developed a novel drug delivery system (DDS) consisting of matrices made of poly(lactic acid) electrospun polymer nanofibers loaded with SN-38 microcrystals for local release in difficult-to-treat pediatric solid tumors.

Anderson-hynes pyeloplasty in patients less than 12 months old. Is the laparoscopic approach safe and feasible?

Purpose: The aim of our study is to compare the outcomes of open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children less than 12 months of age.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed all medical charts of patients less than 12 months old who underwent pyeloplasty from January 2007 to February 2013. We divided them in two groups: Open pyeloplasty (OP) and laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP).