Successful Treatment of Refractory or Relapsed Hepatoblastoma With Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children.

Background: The standard-risk hepatoblastoma has a good prognosis in children; however, refractory or relapsed (R/R) hepatoblastoma has a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. This study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) rescue in pediatric patients with R/R hepatoblastoma.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 6 pediatric patients with R/R hepatoblastoma who underwent autologous HSCT.

A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness and Safety of Prephase Steroid Treatment before Remission Induction Chemotherapy in Patients with Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using Common Data Model-Based Real-World Data: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: Rapid reduction of leukemic cells in the bone marrow during remission induction chemotherapy (RIC) can lead to significant complications such as tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). We investigated whether prephase steroid treatment before RIC could decrease TLS incidence and improve overall survival in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Methods: Data were extracted from the Common Data Model databases in two tertiary-care hospitals in Seoul, South Korea.

Comparable outcomes of allogeneic peripheral blood versus bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a sibling donor for pediatric patients.

Traditionally, bone marrow (BM) has been preferred as a source of stem cells (SCs) in pediatric hematopoietic SC transplantation (HSCT); however, the use of peripheral blood SCs (PBSC) has recently increased. With advancing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, whether the BM is still a better SC source than PB in sibling donor HSCT remains controversial. Here, we compared the results of BM transplantation (BMT) and PBSC transplantation (PBSCT) in pediatric patients with malignant or non-malignant diseases receiving sibling HSCT using a total of 7.

Serious Safety Signals and Prediction Features Following COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Using the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

We aimed to analyze the characteristics of serious adverse events following immunizations (AEFIs) to identify potential safety information and prediction features. We screened the individual case safety reports (ICSRs) in adults who received mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines using the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System until December 2021. We identified the demographic and clinical characteristics of ICSRs and performed signal detection.

Stimulus-dependent synaptic plasticity underlies neuronal circuitry refinement in the mouse primary visual cortex.

Perceptual learning improves our ability to interpret sensory stimuli present in our environment through experience. Despite its importance, the underlying mechanisms that enable perceptual learning in our sensory cortices are still not fully understood. In this study, we used in vivo two-photon imaging to investigate the functional and structural changes induced by visual stimulation in the mouse primary visual cortex (V1).

Topical minoxidil and dietary supplement for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced alopecia in childhood: a retrospective cohort study.

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a common and debilitating condition in children, with limited research on its characteristics and treatment. Therefore, this study aims to describe the characteristics of pediatric patients with CIA and the treatment outcomes of topical minoxidil and L-cystine, medicinal yeast, and pantothenic acid complex-based dietary supplements (CYP). This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from patients who underwent high-dose conditioning chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and were treated with either topical minoxidil or CYP for CIA between January 2011 and January 2022.

Effects of Korean red ginseng on T-cell repopulation after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in childhood cancer patients.

Background: Although the survival outcomes of childhood cancer patients have improved, childhood cancer survivors suffer from various degrees of immune dysfunction or delayed immune reconstitution. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on T cell recovery in childhood cancer patients who underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) from the perspective of inflammatory and senescent phenotypes.

Methods: This was a single-arm exploratory trial.

The Impact of I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine as a Conditioning Regimen of Tandem High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for High-Risk Neuroblastoma.

Background: The optimal conditioning regimen of tandem high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NBL) has not been established. The efficacy of I-MIBG therapy is under exploration in newly diagnosed HR-NBL patients. Here, we compared the outcomes of tandem HDC/ASCT between the I-MIBG combination and non-MIBG groups.

Risk Factors for Treatment-Related Amenorrhea in Female Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer: 10-Year Experiences at Oncofertility Clinic in Korean Tertiary Center.

This study investigates the impact of gonadotoxic cancer treatment on treatment-related amenorrhea (TRA) and hormonal status in pediatric and adolescent females who underwent fertility preservation (FP) consultation. A retrospective review was conducted on 143 females under 21 with cancer referred to the FP clinic at Seoul National University Hospital between 2011 and 2022. We analyzed variables, including age, menarche status, cancer type, and treatment.

Clinical effectiveness and safety of sirolimus in pediatric patients with complex vascular anomalies: necessitating personalized and comprehensive approaches.

Background: Managing complex vascular anomalies in pediatric care requires comprehensive approaches. Sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor with immunosuppressive and anti-angiogenic properties, offers promise. We evaluated sirolimus's effectiveness and safety in pediatric patients with complex vascular anomalies at a tertiary children's hospital.

Translation of Machine Learning-Based Prediction Algorithms to Personalised Empiric Antibiotic Selection: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Prediction of antibiotic non-susceptibility based on patient characteristics and clinical status may support selection of empiric antibiotics for suspected hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (HA-UTIs).

Methods: Prediction models were developed to predict non-susceptible results of eight antibiotic susceptibility tests ordered for suspected HA-UTI. Eligible patients were those with urine culture and susceptibility test results after 48 hours of admission between 2010-2021.

Introduction of Supervisor-Type Pediatric Hospitalists in a Tertiary Children's Hospital: Experiences in a Hematology/Oncology Ward.

(1) Background: Hospitalists are healthcare providers who focus on hospitalized patients, but research on the roles of pediatric hospitalists is lacking. This study investigates the role of a supervisor-type hospitalist in a pediatric hematology/oncology ward at a tertiary children's hospital, assessing the impact on satisfaction levels among patient caregivers, resident physicians, and nurses. (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis and online surveys were conducted to assess satisfaction levels before and after the introduction of hospitalists in the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Seoul National University Children's Hospital in the Republic of Korea.

Medulloblastoma: Current Perspectives and Recent Advances.

Medulloblastoma is the most common embryonal tumor of the central nervous system in childhood. Combined multimodality approaches, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, have improved the outcome of medulloblastoma. Advances in genomic research have shown that medulloblastoma is not a biologically or clinically discrete entity.

Comparison of the clinical features and treatment outcomes of pilocytic astrocytoma in pediatric and adult patients.

Purpose: Pilocytic astrocytoma is a slow-growing tumor that predominantly develops in children, but has a broad age spectrum. A notable characteristic of pilocytic astrocytoma is that the tumor arises in diverse locations and the clinical course is not always benign. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the clinical spectrum of the disease and analyze the relevant prognostic factors.

Twenty-Year Retrospective Study of Post-Enucleation Chemotherapy in High-Risk Patients with Unilateral Retinoblastoma.

Primary enucleation is a life-saving treatment for advanced intraocular retinoblastoma, particularly in patients with poor visual potential and functional contralateral eyes. This single-center study presents the treatment outcomes of patients with unilateral retinoblastoma who received primary enucleation and adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and intrathecal methotrexate (CVDM) between 2000 and 2020. Twenty patients were enrolled in the study.

Perception and safety analysis of COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients: A multicenter, real-world study.

Background: Although various coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have been delivered to the public worldwide, data on cancer populations are limited. Vaccine hesitancy related to safety concerns is observed among cancer patients. We report the perception of COVID-19 vaccines and their safety profile after vaccination among cancer patients.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of the Modified Probable Pneumonia in Korean Children, 2001-2021.

There are few data about pneumonia (PCP) in children, particularly in developed countries. This study investigated the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the clinical PCP in non-HIV-infected Korean children. Children with positive results for the staining and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for between 2001 and 2021 were identified.

Favorable outcome of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma and low-degree necrosis.

Background: A low-degree tumor necrosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a poor prognostic factor for osteosarcoma (OSA). However, the role of high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in OSA remains controversial. We analyzed the treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of nonmetastatic OSA and compared the HDC and conventional chemotherapy (CC) outcomes of patients with <90% necrosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Outcomes of intracranial non-germinomatous germ cell tumors: a retrospective Asian multinational study on treatment strategies and prognostic factors.

Purpose: Non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs) are rare pediatric conditions. This multicenter study using Asian multinational patient data investigated treatment outcomes and prognostic factors for NGGCTs.

Methods: Medical records of 251 patients with NGGCTs treated from 1995 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed from participating centers in Asian countries (Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Japan).

Transient Platelet Dysfunction in Congenital Factor XIII Deficiency with Enhanced Thrombin Generation Potential.

Background: Congenital factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency is an extremely rare bleeding disorder with defects in the F13A1 or F13B genes. Here, we report a case of congenital FXIII deficiency patient who presented with trauma-induced intramuscular hemorrhage accompanied with transient platelet dysfunction with increased endogenous thrombin potential (ETP).

Methods: FXIII antigen and activity, F13A1 gene sequencing, and thrombin generation assay were measured.