Multidisciplinary Clinical Care in the Management of Patients Receiving Anti-GD2 Immunotherapy for High-Risk Neuroblastoma.

The addition of anti-disialoganglioside-2 (GD2) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as dinutuximab and naxitamab to standard therapies for high-risk (HR) neuroblastoma has significantly improved outcomes for children with this devastating disease. The care for these young patients receiving treatment for HR neuroblastoma is complex, with need for the involvement of a multidisciplinary team. Clinical implementation of anti-GD2 mAb treatment requires the same harmonized team approach.

Differing interpretations of health care encounters: A qualitative study of non-Latinx health care providers' perceptions of Latinx patient behaviors.

Introduction: Due to provider shortages, it is probable that non-Latinx health care providers (HCPs) will treat Latinx patients. Because of this discrepancy, both providers and patients are likely to experience barriers and cultural differences during medical encounters. This article discusses select cultural factors and behaviors such as language, communication styles, and health care practices of Latinx families through the lens of their non-Latinx HCPs.

Quality of Life and Pain Experienced by Children and Adolescents With Cancer at Home Following Discharge From the Hospital.

An exploratory study was conducted to examine the quality of life and pain experienced by patients with pediatric cancer at home after discharge. Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of quality of life were measured and how these may be affected by age, sex, diagnosis, and pain status. The authors also characterized intensity, location, and quality of pain experienced.

Back to Basics: CLABSI Reduction Through Implementation of an Oral Care and Hygiene Bundle.

Children with cancer often undergo treatments that render them severely immunocompromised. Side effects of treatment place them at risk for developing oral mucositis (OM), which can potentially lead to infection and bacteremia. Staff nurses on an inpatient pediatric oncology unit noted inconsistent daily oral hygiene practices despite assessing OM consistently.

Inspire Certification Among Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses.

Professional certification validates nurses' knowledge and expertise in their specialty. In support of professional development, nursing excellence as a Magnet® designated hospital, and commitment to improve patient outcomes, increasing the number of certified pediatric hematology oncology nurses at Children's Hospital Los Angeles is a priority. Expert certified nurses and educators assessed current staff nurse perceptions of and motivations for becoming certified.

The Role of Nursing Professionals in the Management of Patients With High-Risk Neuroblastoma Receiving Dinutuximab Therapy.

Neuroblastoma, an embryonic cancer of the sympathetic nervous system, is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. Dinutuximab (formerly called ch14.18), a monoclonal antibody targeting the disialoganglioside GD2, has been shown to significantly improve survival rates in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma.

Fatigue and Sleep Experiences at Home in Children and Adolescents With Cancer.

Purpose/objectives: To (a) investigate fatigue and sleep patterns of children and adolescents at home and (b) examine factors associated with fatigue and sleep..

Design: Descriptive with repeated measures
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A self-care retreat for pediatric hematology oncology nurses.

Pediatric hematology oncology nurses face a variety of stressors while working in this specialty field. Through hematology oncology staff group discussions, nurses identified a myriad physical and emotional stressors they experienced, and expressed concern regarding possible burnout. They described facing stressors related to experiencing loss, grief, moral and ethical dilemmas, and administering complex treatment regimens.

A crossover randomized prospective pilot study evaluating a central venous catheter team in reducing catheter-related bloodstream infections in pediatric oncology patients.

Background: Treatment for most children with cancer includes the use of a central venous catheter (CVC). CVCs provide reliable venous access for delivery of chemotherapy and supportive care. This advantage is mitigated by an increased risk of bloodstream infections (BSIs).

"Targeting to zero" in pediatric oncology: a review of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections.

Reducing or eliminating hospital acquired infections is a national quality of care priority. The majority of the 12,400 children diagnosed with cancer each year require long-term intravenous access to receive intensive and complex therapies. These children are at high risk for infection by nature of their disease and treatment, which often involves use of a central venous catheter (CVC).

Feasibility of the use of a reliable and valid central venous catheter blood draw bundle checklist.

The primary objective of this study was to test the feasibility of creating a central venous catheter blood draw bundle checklist to ensure adherence to the evidence-based blood draw procedure. This study included establishing checklist reliability and validity and periodic observations in 2 inpatient pediatric oncology units. The findings provided support for the reliability and validity of this checklist based on content validity, test-retest reliability, interrater agreement, and internal consistency and reinforced the need for periodic observations to ensure consistency in proper central venous catheter blood draw procedures.

Perinatal germ cell tumors: a case report of a cervical teratoma.

Teratomas belong to a class of tumors known as germ cell tumors. Cervical teratomas are rare and account for 1.5% to 5.

The utility of routine surveillance blood cultures in asymptomatic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients.

Introduction: Surveillance blood cultures (BCs) are often obtained in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients for earlier detection of blood stream infections (BSI). The major aim of this study was to determine the utility of the current practice of obtaining surveillance blood cultures from asymptomatic transplant patients upon admission for the preparative regimen.

Methods: We conducted an 8-year retrospective study of all patients consecutively admitted to the hospital for a HSCT from 2000 to 2008.

A phase II study of Campath-1H in children with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Children's Oncology Group report.

Background: Despite the increasing cure rates for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), patients who relapse continue to have poor prognosis. The Children's Oncology Group (COG) conducted a limited institution Phase II trial of Campath-1H, a monoclonal antibody that targets CD52 on leukemic cells, in children with relapsed or refractory ALL.

Methods: From October 2005 to December 2006, 13 eligible patients were enrolled on the COG phase II study of Campath-1H (ADVL0222).

Phase I/II dose escalation study of recombinant human interleukin-11 following ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide in children, adolescents and young adults with solid tumours or lymphoma: a clinical, haematological and biological study.

Thrombocytopenia remains the major dose-limiting toxicity of myelosuppressive chemotherapy in children with solid tumours. Recombinant human interleukin-11 (rhIL-11) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as treatment for adults with solid tumours and lymphomas with severe chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. We conducted a phase I/II trial of rhIL-11 following ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (ICE) chemotherapy in children with solid tumours or lymphomas.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a glimpse of the past and a view of the future.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is still the only definitive treatment for some malignant and nonmalignant diseases. The amount of knowledge that has been gained regarding this treatment is enormous. Research and development has been focused on minimizing transplant-related toxicity and disease recurrence.

A phase I clinical, pharmacological, and biological trial of interleukin 6 plus granulocyte-colony stimulating factor after ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide in children with recurrent/refractory solid tumors: enhanced hematological responses but a high incidence of grade III/IV constitutional toxicities.

A Phase I trial was conducted to determine the safety, biological activity, and hematopoietic recovery by the combination of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) after myelosuppressive chemotherapy in children. Patients <22 years of age at diagnosis with either recurrent or refractory solid tumors received ifosfamide 1,800 mg/m2/day x 5 days, carboplatin 400 mg/m2/ day x 2 days, and etoposide 100 mg/m2/day x 5 days, followed by daily s.c.

A Phase I study of granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor/interleukin-3 fusion protein (PIXY321) following ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide therapy for children with recurrent or refractory solid tumors: a report of the Children's Cancer Group.

Background: This Phase I trial was developed to determine the safety, biologic activity, and effects on hematopoietic recovery of PIXY321 following ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide chemotherapy for children with recurrent or refractory solid tumors.

Methods: Children (age < 22 years at diagnosis) received ifosfamide 1800 mg/m2/day x 5 days, carboplatin 400 mg/m2/day x 2 days, and etoposide 100 mg/m2/day x 5 days, followed by daily subcutaneous administration of PIXY321. Dose-limiting toxicity was defined as Grade IV toxicity related to PIXY321.

Pediatric blood cell transplantation.

Objectives: To provide a review of the use of blood cell transplantation (BCT) in pediatric patients, the psychological and developmental issues related to BCT, and guidelines for supportive care.

Data Sources: Review articles, research studies, and book chapters pertaining to BCT in children with cancer.

Conclusions: BCT is a safe and reliable source of support after myeloablative regimens for children with disseminated disease, relapse or failure after chemotherapy, or children with high-risk features at diagnosis.

Phase II trial of heparin prophylaxis for veno-occlusive disease of the liver in children undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) of the liver is an early complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The initial event has been hypothesized to be an injury to the endothelial cells eventually resulting in post-sinusoidal obstruction and hepatic failure. The role of anticoagulants for the prevention of VOD is controversial.