Unraveling the Prognostic Role of t(1:19) in Pediatric Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Insights from a Saudi Nationwide Cohort.

Recurrent translocation t(1;19) (q23;p13) describes a unique cytogenetic group of childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Historically, t(1;19)(q23;p13.3) has been associated with poor outcomes.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Single-Center Experience in Saudi Arabia.

Background There is a lack of local studies on vitamin D deficiency in children with cancer. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the pediatric oncology population at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City (KAMC) in Jeddah, addressing knowledge gaps for improved clinical practice and future research. Methods This retrospective observational study was conducted from 2016 to 2021 at the pediatric oncology clinic in National Guard Hospital, Jeddah.

Renal outcomes in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease: a single center experience in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) is a significant complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) with an asymptomatic onset in childhood and potential progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The clinical findings of SCN include hyposthenuria, hematuria, proteinuria, hyperfiltration, and CKD. Data on renal manifestation among patients with SCD in Saudi Arabia is lacking.

The Characteristics and Follow-Up of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pediatric Oncology Patients.

Introduction Clinical data about the first and second most prominent waves of SARS-CoV-2 among pediatric cancer patients were inconsistent. This study aims to retrospectively report the clinical characteristics and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric oncology patients. Methods This is an observational, retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care oncology center from March 2020 to May 2022.

Clinical and pathological characteristics of extra-cranial germ cell tumors: A 30-year single-center experience in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of extracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) in children aged 0-168 months treated at the National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 1990 to 2020.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, the data for all cases of GCTs were collected from 1990 to 2020. Statistical analyses were carried out using JMP software.

Outcomes of blinatumomab based therapy in children with relapsed, persistent, or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a multicenter study focusing on predictors of response and post-treatment immunoglobulin production.

The management of Refractory/Relapsed B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (R/R ALL) remains challenging. Incorporating blinatumomab in R/R ALL treatment has shown encouraging results. We describe the outcome and predictors of response in children receiving blinatumomab as a bridge to definitive therapy.

Metastatic 4S neuroblastoma with excellent outcome in Saudi cancer center.

Objectives: To retrospectively review a small series of infant neuroblastoma (NBL) in a single Saudi medical institution over 10 years, including their presentation, management, and outcomes.

Methods: Fifty-three subjects aged 0 to 14 years with previously untreated NBL who were diagnosed and treated at Princess Nora Oncology Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2010 and 2019. Six infants (11.

A clinical approach to non-neutropenic fever in children with cancer.

Background: There are a limited number of studies that address non-neutropenic fever episodes in children with cancer, and no standard approach exists.

Method: We opt to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of the current clinical approach for management of non-neutropenic fever episodes and the associated risk factors among children with cancer at the Princess Noorah Oncology Center from May 2016 through December 2017.

Results: A total of 480 non-neutropenic fever episodes were identified in 131 children, of which 62 episodes were triaged as high-risk non-neutropenic fever and 418 as low-risk non-neutropenic fever.

Intrathecal dose intensification by CNS status at diagnosis in the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Objectives: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with CNS2 status predicts inferior outcome and a high rate of CNS relapse, similar to overt CNS leukemia (CNS3). The purpose of this study was to determine if intrathecal (IT) dose intensification during induction would improve outcomes and reduce CNS relapse for CNS2 disease.

Methods: From January 2001 to December 2014, children (1-14 years) with newly diagnosed ALL were treated at the Princess Noorah Oncology Centre (PNOC) following modifications of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) protocols.

FLAG/FLAG-IDA regimen for children with relapsed/refractory acute leukemia in the era of targeted novel therapies.

Background: Outcomes of relapsed/refractory childhood acute leukemia remain poor. We analyzed the safety/efficacy of fludarabine, cytarabine, and granulocyte colony stimulating factor, with/without idarubicin (FLAG ± IDA) as salvage therapy compared with recent published results of novel therapies.

Methods: This retrospective study included children aged 1 to 15 years with relapsed/refractory acute leukemia who received FLAG ± IDA salvage therapy from January 2000 to December 2014.

Early vs. late MRD response- and risk-based treatment intensification of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a prospective pilot study from Saudi Arabia.

Background: Refinement of risk-based treatment stratification by minimal residual disease (MRD) at different time points has improved outcomes of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In this prospective study we evaluated effects of such stratification, including intensification of therapy based on response assessment at day-15 and MRD at day-29 of induction to test if treatment intensification would improve outcomes.

Methods: 241 patients, 1-14 years old, newly diagnosed with ALL, were recruited and stratified by risk and MRD response into three treatment Arms (A, B, or C).

High-dose methotrexate vs. Capizzi methotrexate for the treatment of childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Sixty-three children (1-14 years of age) newly diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated from January 2001 to December 2014. Patient outcomes were evaluated based on the regimen received; Capizzi methotrexate (C-MTX) vs. high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX).

Challenges in the management of childhood low-grade glioma in a developing country.

Background: Treatment modality impacts outcome of childhood low-grade glioma (LGG). Optimizing management in developing countries can be challenging. This study evaluates the clinical characteristics, treatment, and factors influencing outcome of childhood LGG in Saudi Arabia.

The prognostic significance of hypertension at diagnosis in children with wilms tumor.

To determine the prognostic effect of hypertension at diagnosis on outcomes of children with Wilms tumor (WT).   Methods: A single center retrospective analysis was conducted on 85 consecutive children with WT diagnosed between January 2000 and August 2013. Patients were classified as hypertensive or normotensive at diagnosis.

Comparison of clinical trial versus non-clinical trial treatment outcomes of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia using comparable regimens.

Objectives: Treatment regimens tested in major clinical trials, conducted by cooperative groups, are often adapted as standard of care by cancer centers with the hope to replicate the treatment outcomes reported in these landmark studies. It is therefore postulated that applying clinical trial regimens in a non-clinical trial setting yield similar outcomes. The aim of the present study was to explore this hypothesis in the context of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in our institution.

Does the early intensification of intrathecal therapy improve outcomes in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with CNS2/TLP+ status at diagnosis?

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether the addition of two extra intrathecal methotrexate (ITM) doses during induction in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients eliminate the prognostic significance of CNS2/TLP+ status.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 224 patients according to the central nervous system (CNS) involvement at diagnosis: CNS1, CNS2, or CNS3. Patients with CNS2/TLP+ received two additional ITM doses during induction.

Identifying causes of variability in outcomes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated in a resource-rich developing country.

Background: The outcome of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in developing countries is less favorable than in developed countries, primarily due to resource constraints. However, it is unknown whether the therapeutic results differ. Thus, we hypothesized that outcomes in resource-rich developing countries would be similar to those in industrialized regions.