Prediction of Bloodstream Infection in Pediatric Acute Leukemia by Microbiota and Volatile Organic Compounds Analysis.

Introduction: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) cause treatment-related mortality in pediatric acute leukemia. We explored the potential of intestinal microbiota and fecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analyses to predict BSI.

Methods: In this case-control study, fecal samples of pediatric acute leukemia patients were collected.

Catecholamines profiles at diagnosis: Increased diagnostic sensitivity and correlation with biological and clinical features in neuroblastoma patients.

Introduction: Neuroblastoma (NBL) accounts for 10% of the paediatric malignancies and is responsible for 15% of the paediatric cancer-related deaths. Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) are most commonly analysed in urine of NBL patients. However, their diagnostic sensitivity is suboptimal (82%).

Molecular Drug Imaging: Zr-Bevacizumab PET in Children with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.

Predictive tools for guiding therapy in children with brain tumors are urgently needed. In this first molecular drug imaging study in children, we investigated whether bevacizumab can reach tumors in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) by measuring the tumor uptake of Zr-labeled bevacizumab by PET. In addition, we evaluated the safety of the procedure in children and determined the optimal time for imaging.

Kaposiform (spindle cell) hemangioendotelioma in a child with an unusual presentation.

We describe a male child with multifocal kaposiform hemangioendothelioma in the right and left cervical region with development of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome. Treatment with interferon-alpha resulted in a good but only temporary clinical response.He relapsed 3 times with regrowth of the right cervical tumor.

Effect of dexamethasone on quality of life in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a prospective observational study.

Background: Glucocorticoids are important in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, cyclic administration of high dose glucocorticoids may cause rapid and substantial changes in quality of life (QoL). The maintenance phase of the Dutch ALL-9 protocol consisted of alternating two weeks on and five weeks off dexamethasone (6 mg/m(2)/day).

Is aggressive local treatment necessary for diffuse liver involvement in patients with progression of stage 4s neuroblastoma to stage 4?

Three patients with stage 4S neuroblastoma without MYC-N amplification who progressed to stage 4 with persistent liver involvement, were treated with iodine 131-meta-iodobenzylguanidine therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Successive histologic examination of the liver showed differentiation of the tumor in 2 patients and fibrosis in the third. One patient died of brain metastases at the age of 30 months.

A comparison of the in vitro cytotoxicity of daunorubicin and liposomal daunorubicin in pediatric acute leukemia.

Anthracyclines are effective in the treatment of leukemia, but their use is limited because of cardiotoxicity. Liposomal daunorubicin (L-DNR) is potentially less cardiotoxic than daunorubicin (DNR). We compared in vitro cytotoxicity in pediatric acute leukemia samples and found no significant differences between cytotoxicity of DNR and L-DNR.

Reduced folate carrier mutations are not the mechanism underlying methotrexate resistance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: Although the majority of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are cured with combination chemotherapy containing methotrexate (MTX), drug resistance contributes to treatment failure for a substantial fraction of patients. The primary transporter for folates and MTX is the reduced folate carrier (RFC). Impaired drug transport is a documented mechanism of MTX resistance in patients with ALL; however, to the authors' knowledge it is not known whether inactivating RFC mutations are a contributing factor.