Long-term renal prognosis and risk for hypertension after myeloablative therapies in survivors of childhood high-risk neuroblastoma: A nationwide study.

Background: Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (HR NBL) treated with myeloablative regimens are reported to be at risk for cardiovascular morbidity, and this risk may be increased by impaired renal function.

Procedure: Long-term renal function was assessed in a national cohort of 18 (age 22.4 ± 4.

Viral infections and immune reconstitution interaction after pediatric allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Viral infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Although immune suppression plays a central role, the literature shows conflicting results on interplay between post-transplant immune reconstitution (IR) and viral infections. We prospectively studied viral infections and IR in 30 pediatric patients undergoing allogenic HSCT, with a follow-up time of 24 months.

Skeletal outcome in long-term survivors of childhood high-risk neuroblastoma treated with high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell rescue.

High-dose therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have been shown to improve survival rates in high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NBL), but may cause adverse effects on the growing skeleton. We studied skeletal health in a national cohort of long-term survivors of HR-NBL (n=21; age 16-30 years, median 22 years) and in 20 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. In addition to clinical evaluation and measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, we performed spinal magnetic resonance imaging.

Clinical and biological markers of premature aging after autologous SCT in childhood cancer.

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of frailty and physical health limitations among long-term survivors of high-risk neuroblastoma (HR NBL) and to investigate whether frail health is associated with variables of cardiovascular function, markers of inflammation and telomere length. A national study cohort of 19 (median age 22, range 16-30 years) long-term (>10 years) HR NBL survivors was studied and the findings were compared with 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Frailty was defined as ⩾3 of the following conditions: low muscle mass, low energy expenditure, slow running and weakness.

Viremic co-infections in children with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation are predominated by human polyomaviruses.

Background: Viral infections remain the cause of key complications following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The impact of multiple, concurrent viral reactivations/infections remains to be delineated.

Methods: The clinical correlates of single or multiple viremic infections following HSCT and especially the occurrence of respiratory viruses in the bloodstream were investigated.

Polyomaviruses BK, JC, KI, WU, MC, and TS in children with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Timely and reliable detection of viruses is of key importance in early diagnosis of infection(s) following allogeneic HSCT. Among the immunocompetent, infections with BKPyV and JCPyV are mostly subclinical, while post-HSCT, the former may cause HC and the latter PML. The epidemiology and clinical impact of the newly identified KIPyV, WUPyV, MCPyV, and TSPyV in this context remain to be defined.

Metronomic therapy can increase quality of life during paediatric palliative cancer care, but careful patient selection is essential.

Aim: Children with refractory or high-risk malignancies frequently suffer from poor quality of life during palliative care. This study explored the effect of metronomic drug administration on survival and quality of life in paediatric patients with various refractory or high-risk tumours.

Methods: We treated 17 patients with a maintenance therapy that consisted of metronomic thalidomide, etoposide and celecoxib.

Relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the Nordic countries: prognostic factors, treatment and outcome.

Relapse is the main reason for treatment failure in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Despite improvements in the up-front therapy, survival after relapse is still relatively poor, especially for high-risk relapses. The aims of this study were to assess outcomes following acute lymphoblastic leukemia relapse after common initial Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology protocol treatment; to validate currently used risk stratifications, and identify additional prognostic factors for overall survival.

High-dose Thiotepa as Consolidation Therapy With Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for High-risk Ewing Family Tumors: Single-institution Experience.

High-dose therapy (HDTx) with autologous stem cell rescue has been widely applied in very-poor-risk pediatric solid tumors. Promising data have become available with the use of high-dose busulfan, whereas high-dose (HD) thiotepa is less commonly used. We report retrospectively our single-institution experience from 1986 to 2012 of single and tandem HDTx with special emphasis on HD-thiotepa as the backbone of HD regimen in Ewing family tumors, including all 24 patients in the Helsinki University Hospital referral area in population-based fashion (Ewing sarcoma 9, Askin tumor 9, peripheral neuroectodermal tumor 6).

Radiotherapy-related arterial intima thickening and plaque formation in childhood cancer survivors detected with very-high resolution ultrasound during young adulthood.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate arterial morphology and function in a national cohort of long-term survivors of high-risk neuroblastoma (NBL) treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with or without total body irradiation (TBI).

Methods And Results: Common carotid, femoral, brachial, and radial artery morphology were assessed with very-high-resolution vascular ultrasound (25-55 MHz), and carotid artery stiffness and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation measured with conventional vascular ultrasound in 19 adult or pubertal (age 22.7 ± 4.

Adverse health events and late mortality after pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic SCT-two decades of longitudinal follow-up.

Treatment-related late toxicities after pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (allo-HSCT) are increasingly important as long-term survival has become an expected outcome for many transplanted children and adolescents. In a retrospective cohort study, we assessed long-term health outcomes in 204 allo-HSCT survivors transplanted in childhood or adolescence (<20 years) between 1978 through 2000 after a median follow-up time of 12 (range 4-28) years. Data on conditioning regimen, adverse health events (AE) and growth and hormonal substitutions (hormone replacement therapies (HRTs)) were obtained from medical records.

Impact of very early CD4(+) /CD8(+) T cell counts on the occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease and NK cell counts on outcome after pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that early and rapid lymphocyte recovery following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with better survival.

Procedure: We retrospectively analyzed very early lymphocyte subset counts following transplantation from our 5-year pediatric allogeneic HSCT material to find clinically relevant associations with post transplant outcome, and the major complication of HSCT, acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). We analyzed HSCTs performed due to acute leukemias and lymphomas from matched unrelated donors (MUD, n = 33), unrelated cord blood (UCB, n = 9) and matched sibling donors (MSD, n = 17).

Bone health and risk factors of cardiovascular disease--a cross-sectional study in healthy young adults.

Objective: Both osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are diseases that comprise a growing medical and economic burden in ageing populations. They share many risk factors, including ageing, low physical activity, and possibly overweight. We aimed to study associations between individual risk factors for CVD and bone mineral density (BMD) and turnover markers (BTMs) in apparently healthy cohort.

Assessment of renal function during high-dose methotrexate treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: High-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) is potentially nephrotoxic. The feasibility of novel biomarkers to indicate renal injury due to HD-MTX infusion was studied in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Procedure: Markers for glomerular and tubular injury were evaluated prospectively after HD-MTX infusion in 20 children with ALL.

Coinfusion of mobilized hematopoietic stem cells from an HLA-mismatched third-party donor with umbilical cord blood graft to support engraftment.

We evaluated the role of mismatched third-party hematopoietic stem cells (TPC) in shortening the neutropenia after umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT). A TPC graft was given to 7/37 children with UCBT to support engraftment due to anticipated increased risk of nonengraftment (N=6) or active infection (N=1). TPC grafts were collected with apheresis from haploidentical family members.

Adult testicular volume predicts spermatogenetic recovery after allogeneic HSCT in childhood and adolescence.

Background: Testicular dysfunction and infertility are of major concern in long-term survivors after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study assesses predictive factors for very long-term testicular recovery after allogeneic HSCT in childhood and adolescence.

Procedure: Testicular volume, sperm production and long-term need of testosterone substitution were evaluated among 106 male survivors transplanted at Huddinge and Helsinki University Hospitals from 1978 through 2000, at a mean age of 8 ± 4.

Radiation therapy and concurrent topotecan followed by maintenance triple anti-angiogenic therapy with thalidomide, etoposide, and celecoxib for pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

Background: Despite major treatment attempts, the prognosis for pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) remains dismal. Gliomas are highly vascularized tumors, suggesting that the prevention of vessel formation by anti-angiogenic treatment might be effective.

Procedure: Forty-one pediatric patients with DIPG were treated according to the Angiocomb protocol, starting with radiotherapy combined with topotecan and followed by anti-angiogenic triple medication consisting of thalidomide, etoposide, and celecoxib.

Childhood cancer survival in Finland (1953-2010): a nation-wide population-based study.

Population based survival studies are critical in monitoring changes in anticancer therapy, evaluating effectiveness of new treatments as well as identifying possibilities for further improvement. The previous report on cancer survival in Finland covered patients diagnosed in 1953-1995. Data on survival in the European and Nordic pediatric populations have been published with follow-up ending in 2002.

Breast-fed infants and their later cardiovascular health: a prospective study from birth to age 32 years.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of infant breast-feeding on cardiovascular risk in young adults. This unique study group involved 158 subjects (eighty-two females) originally collected prospectively at birth in 1975 and followed up to the age of 32 years. Frequent visits during the first year guaranteed the knowledge of the precise duration of breast-feeding.

Ovarian function after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in childhood and adolescence.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term ovarian function after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in childhood and adolescence.

Subjects And Methods: Predictive factors for ovarian function were evaluated among 92 adult or pubertal female survivors transplanted at Huddinge and Helsinki University Hospital during 1978-2000, at a mean age of 9±4.3 years (range 1-19).

Antithrombin deficiency after prolonged asparaginase treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have several risk factors for deep venous thromboses (DVTs) such as central venous catheters and asparaginase (ASP), related antithrombin (AT) deficiency. After introduction of a new standard and intermediate-risk ALL treatment protocol with prolonged continuous ASP treatment, two symptomatic DVTs in 10 patients were observed at the Children's Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. To prevent further thrombotic complications yet ensuring continuous exposure to ASP, an AT substitution strategy was adopted in Helsinki.

Human parvoviruses B19, PARV4 and bocavirus in pediatric patients with allogeneic hematopoietic SCT.

Among the immunocompetent, infections with parvovirus B19 (B19V) and human bocavirus (HBoV) 1 range clinically from asymptomatic to severe, while following allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) B19V can cause a persistent severe illness. The epidemiology and clinical impact of HBoV1 and the other emerging parvovirus 4 (PARV4) among immunocompromised patients have not been established. To determine the occurrence and clinical spectrum of B19V, PARV4 and HBoV1 infections, we performed a longitudinal molecular surveillance among 53 allogeneic HSCT recipients for pre- and post-HSCT DNAemias of these parvoviruses.

Ultrahigh-risk group within the high-risk neuroblastoma category.

Children with high-risk neuroblastoma (NBL) constitute a heterogenous group, but little attention has been paid to further subdivision of the high-risk group. Although the current therapies including multiple high-dose consolidations have neared their efficacy and tolerability limits, alternative therapies are needed. We wanted to define an ultrahigh-risk group among high-risk NBL patients, to be potential candidates for novel therapies given up-front.

Surgical treatment of neuroblastoma: twenty-three years of experience at a single institution.

Purpose: Neuroblastoma (NB) is treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We assessed the effects of surgical resection on the outcome over a 23-year period at our institution.

Methods: 85 children were included with a median age at diagnosis of 2.