Bone mineral density after childhood cancer in 346 long-term adult survivors of childhood cancer

SUMMARY

More than 45 % of long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS) were diagnosed with osteopenia. Our data suggest that greater awareness for osteopenia is warranted in long-term CCS, especially in survivors who are older than 30 years, male, and underweight and were treated with cranial-spinal radiotherapy and/or steroids.

INTRODUCTION

Osteopenia is a potential complication of childhood cancer treatment, but the magnitude of this problem in survivors is unknown. We examined (determinants of) bone mineral density (BMD) status in long-term survivors of adult childhood cancer.

METHODS

This retrospective single-centre cohort study included 346 subjects with the most common types of childhood cancer. Subjects had a median age at diagnosis of 7.0 years (range 0.1-16.8 years), a median age at follow-up of 24.5 years (range 18.0-47.6 years) and a median follow-up time of 16.7 years (range 5.6-39.9 years). Total body BMD (BMDTB) and BMD of the lumbar spine (BMDLS) were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Osteopenia was defined as BMD standardized deviation score (SDS) below -1.

RESULTS

Survivors had a lower BMDTB and BMDLS (mean SDS -0.55; p<0.001 and -0.30; p<0.001, respectively) as compared to healthy peers. Osteopenia (BMDTB and/or BMDLS) was present in 45% of the survivors. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified age at diagnosis<12 years, age>30 years at follow-up, male gender, underweight at follow-up and treatment with cranial-spinal radiotherapy or prednisone as independent prognostic factors for osteopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

This large cohort of childhood cancer survivors identified osteopenia in 45% of CCS. This indicates that greater awareness is warranted, especially in survivors who are older than 30 years, male, have underweight and were treated with cranial-spinal radiotherapy and/or steroids.

Genetic and metabolic determinants of methotrexate-induced mucositis in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective and toxic chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL). In this prospective study, we aimed to identify metabolic and genetic determinants of MTX toxicity. One hundred and thirty-four Dutch pediatric ALL patients were treated with four high infusions MTX (HD-MTX: 5 g m(-2)) every other week according to the DCOG-ALL-10 protocol. Mucositis (National Cancer Institute grade ⩾ 3) was the most frequent occurring toxicity during the HD-MTX phase (20%) and occurred especially after the first MTX course. Mucositis was not associated with plasma MTX, plasma folate or plasma homocysteine levels. Patients with mucositis had higher erythrocyte folate levels at the start of protocol M than patients without mucositis (median 1.4 vs 1.2 μmol l(-1), P<0.008), this could reflect an increased MTX uptake in mucosal cells of patients with mucositis. From 17 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the MTX pathway, only patients with the wild-type variant of rs7317112 SNP in the ABCC4 gene had more mucositis (AA (39%) vs AG/GG (15%), P=0.016). We found no evidence that erythrocyte folate levels mediate in the association between the rs7317112 and mucositis.

Does dexamethasone induce more neuropsychological side effects than prednisone in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia? A systematic review

Steroid-induced neuropsychological side effects impact quality of life in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Dexamethasone induces more metabolic side effects than prednisone. To evaluate whether dexamethasone also leads to more neuropsychological side effects, we reviewed all available literature. Randomized controlled trials with neuropsychological function as the primary or secondary outcome did not show clinically meaningful differences between dexamethasone and prednisone on cognition, mood or behavior.

Final height and IGF1 in adult survivors of Wilms tumour

OBJECTIVE

One-sided nephrectomy is followed by increased levels of IGF1, associated with linear growth during childhood. The aim was to evaluate final height and IGF1 levels in nephrectomized Wilms tumour survivors when compared with healthy Dutch references and survivors of other cancer types.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional retrospective study.

METHODS

Data of 575 adult childhood cancer survivors were analysed. median follow-up time was 17.8 (range 5.048.8) years. Analysis of (co)variance was performed to evaluate differences between subgroups: nephrectomized Wilms survivors treated with or without abdominal irradiation (n=41 and n=36) and survivors of other cancer types treated with or without irradiation involving the cranium, abdomen or total body (n=149 and n=349). Main outcome measures were IGF1 and height, expressed as SDS.

RESULTS

After adjustment for age at diagnosis, former corticosteroid treatment and renal impairment, height SDS in non-irradiated nephrectomized Wilms survivors was significantly higher than that in non-irradiated survivors of other cancer types (estimated mean SDS -0.09 vs -0.49, P=0.044), abdominal irradiated survivors (SDS -0.70, P=0.015) and other irradiated survivors (SDS -1.47, P<0.001). Non-irradiated nephrectomized Wilms tumour survivors had significantly higher IGF1 SDS than other irradiated survivors (estimated mean SDS -0.05 vs -1.36, P<0.001 and 0.11 vs 1.37, P<0.001), while there was no significant difference with the other two subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Adult survivors of Wilms tumour showed better attainment of final height and relatively higher IGF1 levels than those of other cancer types who had significantly shorter stature and lower IGF1 levels than Dutch references.

Gain of 1q is a marker of poor prognosis in Wilms' tumors

Wilms' tumor (WT) trials aim to better tailor treatment intensity to the risk of relapse and death. Currently, stage, histology, age (< or > 24 months), and combined loss of heterozygosity at 1p and 16q in chemotherapy-naïve WTs are the only risk factors used for treatment stratification. However, they predict only less than one-third of all relapsing patients, implying that other factors are involved in treatment failure. Previous studies have associated 1q gain with adverse outcome. Therefore, in this study, the role of 1q gain and other common cytogenetic aberrations (CAs) in WTs was investigated and related to follow-up data from patients with WT treated in the United Kingdom; 19% (64/331) had 1q gain. Gain of 1q was significantly associated with 16q loss (P < 0.001) and 1p loss (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis taking account of age, tumor stage, anaplasia, and common CA (e.g., 1p loss and 16q loss), 1q gain was independently associated with adverse event-free survival [EFS; hazard ratio (HR) = 2.45, P = 0.02] and overall survival (HR = 4.28, P = 0.004). Loss of 14q was independently associated with an adverse EFS (HR = 4.0, P = 0.04). Gain of 1q is a marker of poor prognosis in WTs, independent of high tumor stage and anaplasia which remain the overarching adverse prognostic factors. Confirmation in other studies is necessary before future therapeutic studies can incorporate 1q gain into new risk stratification schema.

MiR-125b, miR-100 and miR-99a co-regulate vincristine resistance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

MicroRNA-125b (miR-125b), miR-99a and miR-100 are overexpressed in vincristine-resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Cellular viability of ETV6-RUNX1-positive Reh cells significantly increased in presence of 9 ng/mL vincristine upon co-expression of miR-125b/miR-99a (91 ± 4%), miR-125b/miR-100 (93 ± 5%) or miR-125b/miR-99a/miR-100 (82 ± 17%) compared with miR-125b-transduced cells (38 ± 13%, P<0.05). Co-expression of these miRNAs resulted in downregulation of DNTT, NUCKS1, MALAT1, SNRPE, PNO1, SET, KIF5B, PRPS2, RPS11, RPL38 and RPL23A (fold-change 1.3-1.9, p<0.05). Similarly, 7 out of these genes are lower expressed in vincristine-resistant ALL cells of children (p<0.05). The concerted function of miR-125b in combination with miR-99a and/or miR-100 illustrates the complexity of vincristine-resistant pediatric ALL.

The volume effect in paediatric oncology: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

For several adult cancer types, there is evidence that treatment in high volume hospitals, high case volume providers, or in specialised hospitals leads to a better outcome. The aim of this study is to give an overview of the existing evidence regarding the volume effect in paediatric oncology related to the quality of care or survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive search was carried out for studies on the effect of provider case volume on the quality of care or survival in childhood cancer. Information about study characteristics, comparisons, results, and quality assessment were abstracted.

RESULTS

In total, 14 studies were included in this systematic review. Studies with a low risk of bias provide evidence that treatment of children with brain tumours, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, or children receiving treatment with allogenic bone marrow transplantation in higher volume hospitals, specialised hospitals, or by high case volume providers, is related with a better outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review provides support for the statement that higher volume hospitals, higher case volume providers, and specialised hospitals are related to the better outcome in paediatric oncology. No studies reported a negative effect of a higher volume.

Decreased ovarian function is associated with obesity in very long-term female survivors of childhood cancer

OBJECTIVE

Obesity and gonadal dysfunction are known major side effects of treatment in adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS). In the general population, obesity has a negative influence on female fertility. We aimed to evaluate whether obesity and serum insulin are associated with decreased ovarian reserve markers in CCS.

DESIGN

Retrospective single-center cohort study.

METHODS

Data of 191 female survivors of childhood cancer were analyzed. Median follow-up time was 18.8 (2.348.8) years. Outcome measures were serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and total follicle count (FC). Potential risk factors were: BMI; body composition measures, determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (total fat percentage, lean body mass, and visceral fat percentage); and fasting insulin.

RESULTS

Lower serum AMH was found in obese subjects (β (%) -49, P=0.007) and in subjects with fasting insulin in the highest tertile (β (%) -43, P=0.039). Total fat percentage tends to be associated with serum AMH (β (%) -2.1, P=0.06). Survivors in the highest tertile of insulin had significantly lower FC than survivors in the lowest tertile (β -6.3, P=0.013). BMI and other measures of body composition were not associated with FC. Correlation between serum AMH and antral follicle count (AFC) was ρ=0.32 (P=0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with gonadal damage, as reflected by decreased AMH and reduced FC in adult survivors of childhood cancer. In contrast to its highly predictive value for AFC in the healthy female population, serum AMH does not seem to correlate as well with AFC in CCS.

High-risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission treated with novel intensive chemotherapy and allogeneic transplantation

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and high minimal residual disease (MRD) levels after initial chemotherapy have a poor clinical outcome. In this prospective, single arm, Phase 2 trial, 111 Dutch and Australian children aged 1-18 years with newly diagnosed, t(9;22)-negative ALL, were identified among 1041 consecutively enrolled patients as high risk (HR) based on clinical features or high MRD. The HR cohort received the AIEOP-BFM (Associazione Italiana di Ematologia ed Oncologia Pediatrica (Italy)-Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster ALL Study Group) 2000 ALL Protocol I, then three novel HR chemotherapy blocks, followed by allogeneic transplant or chemotherapy. Of the 111 HR patients, 91 began HR treatment blocks, while 79 completed the protocol. There were 3 remission failures, 12 relapses, 7 toxic deaths in remission and 10 patients who changed protocol due to toxicity or clinician/parent preference. For the 111 HR patients, 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was 66.8% (±5.5) and overall survival (OS) was 75.6% (±4.3). The 30 patients treated as HR solely on the basis of high MRD levels had a 5-year EFS of 63% (±9.4%). All patients experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicities during HR block therapy. Although cure rates were improved compared with previous studies, high treatment toxicity suggested that novel agents are needed to achieve further improvement.

Genetic variation may modify ovarian reserve in female childhood cancer survivors

STUDY QUESTION

Are genetic polymorphisms, previously identified as being associated with age at menopause in the healthy population, associated with ovarian reserve and predicted age at menopause in adult long-term survivors of childhood cancer?

SUMMARY ANSWER

The CT genotype of rs1172822 in the BRSK1 gene is associated with lower serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and a younger predicted age at menopause in adult survivors of childhood cancer.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Gonadotoxicity is a well-known late side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in adult survivors of childhood cancer. In the healthy population, several genetic polymorphisms are associated with age at natural menopause. Currently, data on the impact of previously identified variants in gene loci associated with ovarian reserve in adult long-term survivors of childhood cancer are lacking.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

We performed a pilot study in a single-centre cohort of adult female Caucasian childhood cancer survivors (n = 176).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

We determined serum AMH levels (a marker of ovarian reserve) in adult survivors of childhood cancer (n = 176) and studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously reported to be associated with age at natural menopause: BRSK1 (rs1172822), ARHGEF7 (rs7333181), MCM8 (rs236114), PCSK1 (rs271924), IGF2R (rs9457827) and TNF (rs909253). Association analysis was performed using the additive genetic model. Linear regression was conducted to assess the effect of significant polymorphisms in two previously published menopause prediction models.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The CT genotype of rs1172822 in the BRSK1 (BR serine/threonine kinase 1) gene was negatively associated with serum AMH levels in our cohort (odds ratio: 3.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.35-7.32, P = 0.008) and significantly associated with the predicted age at menopause (P = 0.04). The other five SNPs were not associated with serum AMH levels.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

This is a pilot study showing preliminary data which must be confirmed. To confirm our findings and enlarge the project, a nationwide genome-wide association (GWA) project on the ovarian reserve in female survivors of childhood cancer should be performed, including a replication cohort.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our findings support the hypothesis that previously identified genetic polymorphisms associated with age at menopause in healthy women may have an effect on the onset of menopause in female survivors of childhood cancer. Our study highlights a new aspect of the influences on the ovarian reserve after childhood cancer, which should be investigated further in a nationwide GWA study. Eventually, this information can help us to improve counselling on fertility preservation prior to cancer treatment based on genetic factors in individual patients.

STUDY FUNDING AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

W.D. is supported by the Paediatric Oncology Centre Society for Research (KOCR), Rotterdam, The Netherlands. J.S.E.L. has received fees and grant support from the following companies (in alphabetic order): Ferring, Genovum, Merck-Serono, Organon, Schering Plough and Serono. All other authors have nothing to disclose.

Levels of PCBs in wild bird eggs: considering toxicity through enzyme induction potential and molecular structure

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analysed in wild bird eggs from industrialised areas in South Africa. The concentration, congener profile, feeding guild, potential associated risk and biology were investigated. PCBs were detected in all eggs with 30 congeners present in more than 80% of the samples. Σ(34)PCB concentrations ranged between 0.9 and 296 ng g(-1) wet weight (ww). The metabolic potential of the PCB metabolic groups showed good agreement with the biodegradability of the individual congeners. Phenobarbital-type (PB-type) inducer PCBs were prevalent, indicating the predominance of less toxic PCB congeners. However, non-ortho PCBs which were not included in the current analyses, could affect the toxic potential of the PCBs in the eggs requiring more investigation. Although the current levels of PCBs measured do not indicate a health risk to the birds assessed, the presence of mono-ortho PCBs at appreciable levels motivates for the assessment of dioxin-like chemicals in wild bird eggs.