[Clinico-immunological characteristics of lymphoid tumors in children].

The clinical and immunological characteristics of lymphoid tumors were compared in 591 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Comprehensive investigation of a tumor cell by using cytological, morphological, and immunological studies revealed the most significant criteria for differential diagnosis of ALL and NHL in children and showed the specific features of the site of a tumor and the extent of its growth in ALL and NHL in relation to the immunological affiliation of a tumor cell. The predominance of immature forms, such as stem-cell CD34+, pre-pre-B, pre-B and less commonly T-cell forms with almost none peripheral B- and T-cell markers could be immunophenotypically detected in ALL.

[Specific features of stem cell (CD34+) subvariant of acute lymphoblast cell leukemia in children].

The authors have examined 134 children with acute lymphoblast cell leukemia (ALCL) who were treated at the Research Institute of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Russian Cancer Research Center, in January 1990 to November 1999, and followed up till March 1, 1999. The mean duration of follow-ups was 57.46 +/- 2.

[Cardioxane in pediatric oncohematology].

The tolerance of cardioxan (JCRF-187, dexrazoxan), an ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid analog and a Chiron Company product, administered to pediatric oncohematological patients, is discussed. The drug was used in 37 cases of acute lymphoblastic and non-lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease treated by polychemotherapy including anthracycline antibiotics administration. No untoward side-effects or inhibition of the therapeutic effect were observed.

[Therapeutic results in children with acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia treated with modified BFM-87 protocol].

The effectiveness of modification of the BFM-87 schedule of treatment received by 32 children with different forms of acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia since April, 1991, has been studied. Complete remission was recorded in 90% and 5-year recurrence-free survival--in 47%. Although the complication rate was higher as compared with the "7 + 3" schedule, mortality rates were relatively lower due to application of adjuvant therapy.

[A comparative clinico-morphological analysis of acute myelo- and myelomonoblastic leukemias in children and adults].

Previous morphocytochemical, immunological and cytogenetic analyses of blast cells in 174 children and 188 adults admitted to Cancer Research Center have shown that compared to adults in children leukemic precursors belong to earlier stage of differentiation similar to polypotent cell. The analysis covered 2 FAB-variants of ANLL comparable by the number of patients and intensity of the given chemotherapy (M2 and M4 ANLL FAB variants). The study included 65 children (50 with M2 and 15 with M4 FAB variants) and 43 adults (26 with M2 and 17 with M4 FAB variants) given therapy of standard intensity in the regimen 3+7 and 2+5.

[Use of long-acting L-asparaginase (PEG-asparaginase) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Twenty-five patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [15 adults and 10 children] received standard treatment in which regular L-asparaginase was replaced for L-asparaginase of prolonged action [PEG-asparaginase]. The drug was administered once in two weeks in a dose 2500 IU/m2 for remission induction and consolidation or as a component of maintenance therapy. It was found that the response to primary PEG-asparaginase treatment or its use in the disease relapses produced the same response as regular L-asparaginase, being superior in convenience and feasibility of outpatient use.

[Expression of glucocorticoid receptors and blast cell clearance in children with different variants of acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels were estimated in blast cells of 24 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in different immunocytologic subvariants of the disease. No relationship was revealed between immunophenotype and GR number in blasts. It was found that the response to prednisolone therapy did not depend on the number of sites specifically bound to glucocorticoids.

[The role of the day hospital in providing diagnostic and therapeutic care for children with malignant tumors].

The day hospital proved effective for diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer. It is more cost-effective and less emotionally traumatic for patients than the usual hospital.

[Use of alpha interferon preparations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children during remission].

The Soviet alpha-interferon drugs (human leukocytic interferon, reaferon) were used in the program of the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (during remission). The treatment was found to be more effective with an increase of its duration, relapse-free course of the disease (69.4-82.

[Bioelectric activity of the brain of children with long-term remission of acute lymphoblastic leukemia receiving chemoradiation prevention of neuroleukemia].

Investigation of the bioelectrical activity of the brain (EEG, echoEG) in 60 patients aged 8 to 20 years with a long relapse-free course of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (6-10 years) made it possible to distinguish 3 groups of patients in accordance with the changes seen on the EEG. A reverse relationship was noted between the characteristics of the leukemic process during disease diagnosis and neurophysiological disorders after intensive therapy including chemoradiation prophylaxis of neuroleukemia. It is recommended that the dose of radiation of the brain of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia may be reduced, if there are no risk factors of the development of disease relapses.

[Results of neuroleukemia prevention in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

The follow-up of 318 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia given program therapy that included different treatments including chemo- and radioprevention of neuroleukemia demonstrated the high efficacy of the measures carried out, which reduced the incidence of neuroleukemia to 5.6%. No gross changes on the part of the neuropsychic status were revealed in the course of the follow-up of children who received the combined prophylaxis of neuroleukemia.

[Clinico-cytological parallels in acute myeloid leukemia in children].

Based on a comprehensive study of the morphofunctional parameters of blast cells by means of morphological, cytochemical, immunological and cytogenetic research methods, 8 types of blast cells and leukemic variants were identified in 200 children suffering from acute myeloid leukemia. In these children, the clinico-hematological parameters differed depending on the leukemic variant. Verification of the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia variants in children will favour further perfection of the individualized treatment programs.

[Effects of immunologic markers on prognosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in young children].

Altogether 77 children aged up to 3 years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were examined for the immunological phenotype of blast cells. L1, L1/L2, L2/L1, L2 variants of ALL and the undifferentiated one were established in accordance with criteria of the FAB classification. T1, zero and Ia immunosubvariants were recorded most frequently.

[Immunologic correction using thymus gland preparation (T-activin) in the programmed treatment of patients with non-lymphoid leukemia].

Data have been presented on the observation of 80 children with acute myeloid leukemia, among them 26 patients who, in addition to chemotherapy, were given tactivin treatment. The authors have proved the necessity of long-term tactivin administration in acute myeloid leukemia (no less than 2-3 years). that permits not only reducing the incidence of intercurrent diseases, but also increasing the duration of the remission period.

[Clinical course and prognosis in T-cell lymphoblastic tumors in children typed with Soviet-produced monoclonal antibodies].

Correlation analysis of the clinical course and prognosis was made in 56 children with T-cell lymphoblastic tumors (acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphosarcoma) typed with the use of monoclonal antibodies obtained in this country. The frequency of T-cell marker detection among all immunological subvariants in acute lymphoid leukemia and lymphosarcoma proved to be similar (36.6 and 37%, respectively).

[High methotrexate doses in the treatment program for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphosarcoma in children].

Tolerability and efficacy of high-dose methotrexate was studied in 70 pediatric patients with lymphoblastic tumors (acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma). Methotrexate was given by 24-hour infusion of 500-1000 mg/m2 (total dose-700-3000 mg) after remission had been achieved. An antidote--calcium folinate--was administered 24 hours postinfusion.

[Immunologic prognosis in hemoblastoses in children].

The diagnostic value of monoclonal antibodies is discussed. The expression of ICO-GM1 and ICO-G2 myeloid antigens in pediatric patients with nonlymphoblastic leukemia was associated with poor prognosis whereas patients with the expression of T-cell markers fared better. The prognostic value of the antigens was not altered by brief cytotoxic treatment.

[Late (after 5-year remission) recurrences of acute leukemia in children (a cooperative study)].

Cooperative investigations were conducted in seven Pediatric Hematologic Clinics (in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Minsk and Tbilisi) to study the nature of late (after five years of remission) relapses of acute leukemia that were diagnosed in 21.6% of cases (in 80 out of 371 children) with long-term remissions. Late relapses in most patients occurred on the 6-7th year of remission.

[Results of the use of human leukocytic interferon in the treatment program in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children].

Soviet preparation of human leucocytic interferon (HLI) was injected to 112 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at different stages of the treatment program. The results obtained have evidenced that HLI produces a direct antitumor effect, intensifies the effectiveness of inductive chemotherapy and the treatment program leading to the prolongation of the remission period and survival of the patients, as well as induces activation of natural and antitumor resistance of the body.

[Immunodiagnosis of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia in children].

Seventy-two children with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) have been studied for expression of different antigens on blast cells with the use of monoclonal antibodies. Myeloid antigens (C3bi; X-hapten) were identified on blast cells most frequently, 58.3%, Ia-like antigen was found in 55% and LFA-1 in 34% of cases.