The Kinetics of Inflammation-Related Proteins and Cytokines in Children Undergoing CAR-T Cell Therapy-Are They Biomarkers of Therapy-Related Toxicities?

CD19-targeted CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of relapsed/refractory (r/r) pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, it can be associated with acute toxicities related to immune activation, particularly cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Cytokines released from activated immune cells play a key role in their pathophysiology.

Blinatumomab Prior to CAR-T Cell Therapy-A Treatment Option Worth Consideration for High Disease Burden.

The optimal bridging therapy before CAR-T cell infusion in pediatric relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r BCP-ALL) still remains an open question. The administration of blinatumomab prior to CAR-T therapy is controversial since a potential loss of CD19+ target cells may negatively impact the activation, persistence, and, as a consequence, the efficacy of subsequently used CAR-T cells. Here, we report a single-center experience in seven children with chemorefractory BCP-ALL treated with blinatumomab before CAR-T cell therapy either to reduce disease burden before apheresis (six patients) or as a bridging therapy (two patients).

Fludarabine-Cyclophosphamide-Based Conditioning with Antithymocyte Globulin Serotherapy Is Associated with Durable Engraftment and Manageable Infections in Children with Severe Aplastic Anemia.

Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) is a bone marrow failure syndrome that can be treated with hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) or immunosuppressive (IS) therapy. A retrospective cohort of 56 children with SAA undergoing transplantation with fludarabine-cyclophosphamide-ATG-based conditioning (FluCyATG) was analyzed. The endpoints were overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), cumulative incidence (CI) of graft versus host disease (GVHD) and CI of viral replication.

SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance during bone marrow aplasia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-A case report.

Respiratory viral infections are known causes of mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here, we report a unique case of a child with viral pneumonia caused by coinfection with human metapneumovirus (MPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 after HSCT. A 9-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia underwent allogeneic HSCT from a matched, unrelated donor.

Introduction of new pediatric EBMT criteria for VOD diagnosis: is it time-saving or money-wasting? : Prospective evaluation of pediatric EBMT criteria for VOD.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a potentially fatal complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We evaluated in prospective analysis the usefulness of the pediatric EBMT criteria for VOD diagnosis and their presumable impact on cost effectiveness and patients' outcome. Study included all 282 HSCT procedures performed in Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and BMT in Wrocław between January 2016 and March 2019.

Non-nutritional "paramedical" usage of human milk - knowledge and opinion of breastfeeding mothers in Poland.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to understand knowledge, attitudes and practices of non-nutritional breast milk use among lactating women in respect of skin diseases and other frequent ailments.

Material And Methods: The study, in the form of a questionnaire, spread on social media, was targeted at breastfeeding women. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the knowledge of non-nutritional usage of human milk, its use in practice, subjective opinion on the observed results and inclination towards future use.

Successful Bone Marrow Recovery After an Immunoablative Regimen With Autologous Cord Blood Transplant in a Child With Idiopathic Severe Aplastic Anemia: A Case Report.

Background: Aplastic anemia is a rare disease that manifests as bone marrow failure. The current treatment options include immunoablative therapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We report a successful immunoablative regimen with autologous umbilical cord blood (auto-UCB) transplant in a 3-year-old boy with severe aplastic anemia.

Non-Nutritional Use of Human Milk Part 1: A Survey of the Use of Breast Milk as a Therapy for Mucosal Infections of Various Types in Poland.

The use of home remedies for the treatment of moderately severe ailments is a common practice in the Polish population. Currently, the topic of the potential non-nutritional properties of human milk is attracting the attention of breastfeeding mothers. This study was aimed at understanding lactating women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices of non-nutritional breast milk on mucous membranes.

Individualized tumor response testing profile has a prognostic value in childhood acute leukemias: multicenter non-interventional long-term follow-up study.

A total number of 817 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 181 with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) were assessed for individualized tumor response testing (ITRT) profile as a prognostic factor in long-term follow-up. For each patient, ITRT, initial response to therapy and long-term outcome were assessed. In initial ALL, an impact on long-term response was shown in ITRT for 13 drugs, while in initial AML only for cytarabine.

Late-preterm cesarean delivery and chemokines concentration in the umbilical cord blood of neonates.

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate whether concentrations of chemokines in the umbilical cord blood of neonates are affected by delivery via cesarean section.

Study Design: Umbilical cord blood was obtained from 116 singleton late-preterm and full-term neonates without infections, born to healthy pregnant women. Concentrations of chemokines - MIP-1α (CCL3), MIP-1β 1 (CCL4), RANTES (CCL5), GRO-α (CXCL1) and ENA-78 (CXCL5) - were measured by ELISA.

Differential ex vivo activity of bortezomib in newly diagnosed paediatric acute lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukaemia.

The proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, is known to be effective in the therapy of various neoplasms. The objective of this study was the analysis of the ex vivo activity of bortezomib in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), in comparison to paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). A total of 159 patients entered the study, including 106 ALL (including 86 precursor-B-cell ALL, and 20 T-cell ALL) and 53 AML children.

Prognostic impact of combined fludarabine, treosulfan and mitoxantrone resistance profile in childhood acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: The role of cellular drug resistance in childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has not yet been established. The aim of the study was the analysis of the clinical value of ex vivo drug resistance in pediatric AML.

Patients And Methods: A cohort of 90 children with de novo AML were assayed for drug resistance profile by the 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-difenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and prognostic model of in vitro drug sensitivity was analyzed.

Predictive value of multidrug resistance proteins and cellular drug resistance in childhood relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Purpose: Cellular resistance in childhood acute leukemias might be related to profile and function of multidrug resistance proteins and apoptosis regulating proteins. The aims of the study were: (1) analysis of expression of MRP1, PGP1, LRP, BCL-2 and p53 proteins; (2) correlation with ex vivo drug resistance, and (3) analysis of their prognostic impact on clinical outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic (ALL) and acute myeloid (AML) leukemia.

Methods: Total number of 787 children diagnosed for initial ALL (n = 527), relapsed ALL (n = 104), initial AML (n = 133) and relapsed AML (n = 23) were included into the study.

CD40L and IL-4 stimulation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells results in upregulation of mRNA level of FLICE--an important component of apoptosis.

The use of cancer vaccines based on dendritic cells (DC) presenting tumor antigens can be a promising tool in the treatment of leukemia. The functional characteristics of leukemia derived DC is still to be elucidated. CD40 promotes survival, proliferation and differentiation of normal B cells.

[Developmental anomaly of superior vena cava as a reason hampering vein-port catheter implantation].

Occasionally unexpected technical difficulties occur during Port-A-Cath implantation and the central venous catheterization. We described a case of superior vena cava developmental anomaly diagnosed during Port-A-Cath implantation.

Umbilical serum concentrations of chemokines (RANTES and MGSA/GRO-alpha) in preterm and term neonates.

Background: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between labor (preterm and term) and umbilical blood serum regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and melanoma growth stimulatory activity/growth-related oncogene-a (MSGA/GRO-alpha) concentration, and to determine whether early sepsis and pneumonia are associated with changes in concentrations of the chemokines (RANTES and MSGA/GRO-alpha) in umbilical blood serum.

Methods: Umbilical blood was obtained from 67 neonates in the following groups: (i) preterm neonates with early sepsis; (ii) preterm neonates with pneumonia; (iii) non-infected preterm neonates; and (iv) full-term healthy neonates. RANTES and MGSA/GRO-alpha concentrations were determined by use of a commercially available immunoassay kit.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells express CCR7 but not higher amounts of IL-10 after CD40 ligation.

Objective: Production of cytokines that support T-cell activation and proliferation and migration to lymph nodes is one of the most important terms of cancer vaccine development. In previous studies we and others used CD40 ligation to obtain higher expression of co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules on leukaemic cells from children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). This time we assess the cytokine and chemokine gene expression profile in CD40-stimulated ALL cells.

[Amniotic fluid analysis. Part I: Rapid markers in the prediction of intra-amniotic infection].

Intraamniotic infection has been recognized as a major etiologic factor for preterm delivery. Several groups have proposed that amniocentesis be used to identify the patient at risk for infectious morbidity. The number of techniques have been studied for rapid identification of bacterial colonization of amniotic cavity.

In vitro sensitivity of leukemic cells to nucleoside derivatives in childhood acute leukemias: good activity in leukemic relapses.

Nucleoside analogues such as fludarabine and cladribine are used in therapy of indolent lymphomas and leukemias in adults, while cytarabine is used mainly in protocols for acute leukemias. Mechanisms of their activity is based on inhibition of enzymes involved in DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. The objective of the study was the analysis of in vitro cellular drug sensitivity in childhood acute lymphoblastic (ALL) and myeloid (AML) leukemia.

Assessment of chosen parameters of the immune system in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The immunosuppressive effect of cytostatics, basic therapeutic agents in the treatment of proliferative diseases of the hematopoietic system, and the rising number of children cured from acute leukaemias form together a need to monitor the status of the immune system following cessation of therapy. Surface antigens in lymphocytes from peripheral blood were assessed in 16 children directly after intensive chemotherapy (i.e.

[Deafness, as a complication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia in a 9-year old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

We described natural history of Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia in 9 year old boy, who was treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After 14 day treatment of ALL the following signs and symptoms occurred: fever, earache with otorhoea, deafness, bilateral peripheral paralysis of n. VII, erythema, pneumonia, paralytic ileus.

[The problem of blood transfusion ++ in Jehova's Witnesses' children with oncological disease].

We present 2 cases of Jehovah's Witnesses' children suffering from oncological diseases (non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia). During their treatment we used erythropoietin and no blood products were transfused.

[The evaluation of peripheral blood lymphoid cells in children in remission a year after the cessation of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma type non-B].

Immunophenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes was studied in 10 children after the cessation of treatment acute lymphoblastic leukemia and in 3 after non Hodgkin's lymphoma non-B. They all were in complete remission. Peripheral blood lymphocytes cells were analysed by flow cytometric analysis.

[Results of the treatment for infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated in the program Dana-Faber Cancer Institute. Report of Polish Pediatric Study Group for Leukemia and Lymphoma].

We present courses and treatment's results in 8 infants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated according Dana-Faber Cancer Institute protocol between 1994-1998 year. Complete remission (RC) was achieved in 8 children. Relapses were diagnosed between 6 to 20 month, only one achieved II RC.