Hepatoblastoma in the Nordic countries

IMPDH2 suppression impedes cell proliferation by instigating cell cycle arrest and stimulates apoptosis in pediatric hepatoblastoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common pediatric liver tumor, presenting significant therapeutic challenges due to its high rates of recurrence and metastasis. While Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase 2(IMPDH2) has been associated with cancer progression, its specific role and clinical implications in HB have not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

This study utilized Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Tissue Microarray (TMA) for validation. Following this, IMPDH2 was suppressed, and a series of in vitro assays were conducted. Flow cytometry was employed to assess apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Additionally, the study explored the synergistic therapeutic effects of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and doxorubicin (DOX) on HB cell lines.

RESULTS

The study identified a marked overexpression of IMPDH2 in HB tissues, which was strongly correlated with reduced Overall Survival (OS) and Event-Free Survival (EFS). IMPDH2 upregulation was also found to be associated with key clinical-pathological features, including pre-chemotherapy alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, presence of preoperative metastasis, and the pre-treatment extent of tumor (PRETEXT) staging system. Knockdown of IMPDH2 significantly inhibited HB cell proliferation and tumorigenicity, inducing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Notably, the combination of MMF, identified as a specific IMPDH2 inhibitor, with DOX, substantially enhanced the therapeutic response.

CONCLUSION

The overexpression of IMPDH2 was closely linked to adverse outcomes in HB patients and appeared to accelerate cell cycle progression. These findings suggest that IMPDH2 may serve as a valuable prognostic indicator and a potential therapeutic target for HB.

IMPACT

The present study unveiled a significant overexpression of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2) in hepatoblastoma (HB) tissues, particularly in association with metastasis and recurrence of the disease. The pronounced upregulation of IMPDH2 was found to be intimately correlated with adverse outcomes in HB patients. This overexpression appears to accelerate the progression of the cell cycle, suggesting that IMPDH2 may serve as a promising candidate for both a prognostic marker and a therapeutic target in the context of HB.

Biology of childhood hepatoblastoma and the search for novel treatments

Our research laboratory has a longstanding interest in developmental disorders and embryonic tumors, and recent efforts have focused on the pathogenesis of pediatric liver tumors. This review focuses on hepatoblastoma (HB), the most common pediatric liver malignancy. Despite advances in treatment, patients with metastatic HB have a poor prognosis, and survivors often have permanent side effects attributable to chemotherapy. In an effort to improve survival and lessen long-term complications of HB, we have searched for novel molecular vulnerabilities using a combination of patient derived cell lines, metabolomics, and RNA sequencing of human samples at diagnosis and follow-up. These studies have shed light on pathogenesis and identified putative targets for future therapies in children with advanced HB.

Epidemiological Study of Malignant Paediatric Liver Tumours in Denmark 1985-2020

BACKGROUND

Malignant liver tumours in children are rare and national outcomes for this tumour entity are rarely published. This study mapped paediatric liver tumours in Denmark over 35 years and reported on the incidence, outcomes and long-term adverse events.

METHODS

We identified all liver tumours from the Danish Childhood Cancer Registry and reviewed the case records for patient and tumour characteristics, treatment and clinical outcome.

RESULTS

We included 79 patients in the analyses. Overall crude incidence was ~2.29 per 1 million children (<15 yr) per year, with 61 hepatoblastomas (HB), 9 hepatocellular carcinomas and 9 other hepatic tumours. Overall 5-year survival was 84%, 78% and 44%, respectively. Nine patients had underlying liver disease or predisposition syndrome. Seventeen children underwent liver transplantation, with two late complications, biliary stenosis and liver fibrosis. For HB, age ≥ 8 years and diagnosis prior to 2000 were significant predictors of a poorer outcome. Adverse events included reduced renal function in 10%, reduced cardiac function in 6% and impaired hearing function in 60% (19% needed hearing aids). Behavioural conditions requiring additional support in school were registered in 10 children.

CONCLUSIONS

In Denmark, incidences of malignant liver tumours during the last four decades have been increasing, as reported in the literature. HB survival has improved since the year 2000 and is comparable with international results. Reduced hearing is the major treatment-related side effect and affects approximately 60% of patients.

Association between neonatal phototherapy and future cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Phototherapy is the main treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia to prevent encephalopathy. It is generally believed to be safe; however, some studies have shown it might be associated with cancer development. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the effect of neonatal phototherapy on future cancer risk. A systematic search in 13 databases was conducted in December 2018 and updated in August 2022 to identify studies that report cancer development after exposure to phototherapy. Throughout the study period, regular manual searches were also conducted to include new studies. A meta-analysis using R programming language was done in which the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated and pooled using the reported adjusted and unadjusted data. Fifteen studies were included. A statistically significant association was detected between neonatal phototherapy and any type of cancer (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.1, 1.4), any hematopoietic cancer (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.17, 1.91), any leukemia (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.08, 1.67), and myeloid leukemia (OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.4, 5.84). The other investigated cancers (lymphoid leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, kidney cancer, nervous system cancer, and skin cancer) were not associated with phototherapy.  Conclusions: Phototherapy may carry a possible risk of future cancers. Future research is needed to quantify the magnitude of the cancer risk. These future studies should consider predictors of preterm birth or exclude premature babies from their analysis. What is Known • There were various reports about the possible association between phototherapy in neonates and the increased risk of cancer in the future. What is New • A statistically significant association between phototherapy and various hematopoietic cancers (especially myeloid leukemia) was recorded. • The effect of the duration of phototherapy on the increased risk of hematopoietic cancers is yet unclear.

Parental Age and Childhood Lymphoma and Solid Tumor Risk: A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Although advanced parental age has been definitively linked to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, studies of parental age and pediatric solid tumors have not reached firm conclusions. This analysis aimed to elucidate the relationship between parental age and pediatric solid tumors through meta-analysis of existing studies based in population registries.

METHODS

We searched Medline (PubMed) and Embase for registry-based studies of parental age and solid tumors through March 2022. We performed random-effects meta-analysis to estimate pooled effects and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All statistical tests were 2-sided.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies covering 10 childhood solid tumor types (30 323 cases and 3 499 934 controls) were included in this analysis. A 5-year increase in maternal age was associated with an increased risk of combined central nervous system tumors (odds ratio [OR] = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.10), ependymoma (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.31), astrocytoma (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.15), rhabdomyosarcoma (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.25), and germ cell tumors (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.12). A 5-year increase in paternal age was associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.12).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis of registry-based analyses of parental age and childhood cancer supports the association between older maternal age and certain childhood solid cancers. There is also some evidence that paternal age may be associated with certain cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, as maternal and paternal age are highly correlated, disentangling potential independent causal effects of either factor will require large studies with extensive data on potential confounders.

Current Approaches in Hepatoblastoma-New Biological Insights to Inform Therapy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

As the most common pediatric primary liver cancer with rising incidence, hepatoblastoma remains challenging to treat. Here, we review the current understanding of the biology of hepatoblastoma and discuss how recent advances may lead to new treatment modalities.

RECENT FINDINGS

Standard chemotherapy regimens including cisplatin, in addition to surgery, have led to high cure rates among patients with low stage hepatoblastoma; however, metastatic and relapsed disease continue to have poor outcomes. Recent genomics and functional studies in cell lines and mouse models have established a central role for the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in tumorigenesis. Targeted agents and immunotherapy approaches are emerging as potential treatment avenues. With recent gains in knowledge of the genomic and transcriptomic landscape of hepatoblastoma, new therapeutic mechanisms can now be explored to improve outcomes for metastatic and relapsed hepatoblastoma and to reduce the toxicity of current treatments.

The Genetic Changes of Hepatoblastoma

Hepatoblastoma is the most common malignant liver cancer in childhood. The etiology of hepatoblastoma remains obscure. Hepatoblastoma is closely related to genetic syndromes, hinting that hepatoblastoma is a genetic predisposition disease. However, no precise exposures or genetic events are reported to hepatoblastoma occurrence. During the past decade, significant advances have been made in the understanding of etiology leading to hepatoblastoma, and several important genetic events that appear to be important for the development and progression of this tumor have been identified. Advances in our understanding of the genetic changes that underlie hepatoblastoma may translate into better patient outcomes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been generally applied in the research of etiology's exploration, disease treatment, and prognosis assessment. Here, we reviewed and discussed the molecular epidemiology, especially SNPs progresses in hepatoblastoma, to provide references for future studies and promote the study of hepatoblastoma's etiology.

Preterm birth, neonatal therapies and the risk of childhood cancer

Our aim was to study the impact of preterm birth and neonatal therapies on the risk of childhood cancer using a nationwide, registry-based, case-control design. Combining population-based data from Finnish Medical Birth Registry (MBR) and Finnish Cancer Registry, we identified a total of 2029 patients diagnosed with cancer under the age of 20 years and 10 103 age- and sex-matched controls over the years 1996 to 2014. Information on the prenatal and perinatal conditions was obtained from the MBR. Gestational age was categorized into early (<32) and late preterm (32-36) and term (≥37 weeks). Cancer risk among the preterm compared to term neonates was evaluated using conditional logistic regression. We identified 141 cancers among the preterm (20.8% of 678) vs 1888 cancers in the term children (16.5% of 11 454). The risk of any cancer was increased for the preterm (odds ratio [OR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.57), especially for the early preterm (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.16-2.92). The risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML; OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.25-4.37), retinoblastoma (OR 3.21, 95% CI 1.22-8.41) and germ cell tumors (OR 5.89, 95% CI 2.29-15.18) was increased among the preterm compared to term. Germ cell tumors were diagnosed at a significantly younger age among the preterm. Neonatal therapies, for example, mechanical ventilation, were associated with an increased risk of childhood cancer independent of gestational age. Preterm, especially early preterm birth, is associated with an increased risk of childhood cancer, especially germ cell tumors and AML. Respiratory distress requiring neonatal intervention also appears to be associated with an increased risk.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Screening Extremely Low Birth Weight Children for Hepatoblastoma Using Serum Alpha-fetoprotein

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of screening children born at extremely low birth weight (ELBW) for hepatoblastoma using serial serum alpha-fetoprotein measurements.

STUDY DESIGN

We created a decision tree to evaluate the cost effectiveness of screening children born at ELBW between 3 and 48 months of age compared with current standard of care (no screening). Our model used discounted lifetime costs and monetary benefits in 2018 US dollars, based on estimates in the published literature. The effects of uncertainty in model parameters were also assessed using univariate sensitivity analyses, in which we changed the values for one parameter at a time to assess the effect on the estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

RESULTS

For the estimated 55 699 children born at ELBW in the US each year, this screening is associated with 77.7 additional quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) at a cost of $8.7 million. This results in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of about $112 000/QALY, which is considered cost effective from a US societal perspective. For children diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, our model finds that the screening regimen is associated with a 10.1% increase in survival, a 4.18% increase in expected QALYs, and a $245 184 decrease in expected cost.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening ELBW children for hepatoblastoma between 3 and 48 months of age dominates the alternative and is cost effective from a societal perspective.

Global trends in incidence rates of childhood liver cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Childhood liver cancers are relatively rare, hence inferences on incidence trends over time are limited by lack of precision in most studies.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published contemporary trends on childhood liver cancer incidence rates worldwide.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

English-language peer-reviewed articles published from 1 January 2008 to 1 December 2019 that presented quantitative estimates of incidence trends for childhood liver cancer and diagnostic subgroups. Review was conducted per PRISMA guidelines. Two authors independently extracted data and critically assessed studies.

SYNTHESIS

Random effects meta-analysis models were used to estimate pooled incidence trends by diagnostic subgroups. Heterogeneity was measured using the Q and I² statistics and publication bias evaluated using Egger's test.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies were included, all based on population-based cancer registries. Trends were reported on average for 18 years. Overall pooled estimates of the annual percentage change (APC) were 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5, 2.3) for childhood liver cancers, 2.8 (95% CI 1.8, 3.8) for hepatoblastoma and -3.0 (95% CI -11.0, 4.9) for hepatocellular carcinoma. Sub-group analysis by region indicated increasing trends for childhood liver cancers in North America/Europe/Australia (APC 1.7, 95% CI 0.7, 2.8) whereas corresponding trends were stable in Asia (APC 1.4, 95%CI -0.3, 2.7). Publication bias was not detected for any of these analyses. The I² statistic indicated that the heterogeneity among included studies was low for combined liver cancers, moderate for hepatoblastoma and high for hepatocellular carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence is increasing for childhood liver cancers and the most commonly diagnosed subgroup hepatoblastoma. Lack of knowledge of the etiology of childhood liver cancers limited the ability to understand the reasons for observed incidence trends. This review highlighted the need for ongoing monitoring of incidence trends and etiological studies.

Disease-specific Hospitalizations Among 5-Year Survivors of Hepatoblastoma: A Nordic Population-based Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

The long-term risk of somatic disease in hepatoblastoma survivors has not been thoroughly evaluated in previous studies. In this population-based study of 86 five-year HB survivors, we used inpatient registers to evaluate the risk for a range of somatic diseases.

METHODS

In total, 86 five-year survivors of hepatoblastoma were identified in the Nordic cancer registries from 1964 to 2008 and 152,231 population comparisons were selected. Study subjects were followed in national hospital registries for somatic disease classified into 12 main diagnostic groups. Standardized hospitalization rate ratios (RRs) and absolute excess risks were calculated.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 11 years, 35 of the 86 five-year hepatoblastoma survivors had been hospitalized with a total of 69 hospitalizations, resulting in an RR of 2.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-3.5) and an overall absolute excess risk of 4.2 per 100 person-years. Highest risk was seen for benign neoplasms (RR=16) with 6 hospitalizations for benign neoplasms in the colon and one in rectum.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of hospitalizations found in this first comprehensive follow-up of hepatoblastoma survivors seems reassuring. Less than 50% of the 5-year survivors had been hospitalized and often for diseases that were not severe or life-threatening.

Cancer risk in children born after donor ART

STUDY QUESTION

Do children born after donor ART have an increased risk of developing childhood cancer in comparison to the general population?

SUMMARY ANSWER

This study showed no overall increased risk of childhood cancer in individuals born after donor ART.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Most large population-based studies have shown no increase in overall childhood cancer incidence after non-donor ART; however, other studies have suggested small increased risks in specific cancer types, including haematological cancers. Cancer risk specifically in children born after donor ART has not been investigated to date.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This retrospective cohort study utilized record linkage to determine the outcome status of all children born in Great Britain (1992-2008) after donor ART. The cohort included 12 137 members who contributed 95 389 person-years of follow-up (average follow-up 7.86 years).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Records of all children born in Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland) after all forms of donor ART (1992-2008) were linked to the UK National Registry of Childhood Tumours (NRCT) to determine the number who subsequently developed cancer by 15 years of age, by the end of 2008. Rates of overall and type specific cancer (selected a priori) were compared with age, sex and calendar year standardized population-based rates, stratifying for potential mediating/moderating factors including sex, age at diagnosis, birth weight, multiple births, maternal previous live births, assisted conception type and fresh/ cryopreserved cycles.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

In our cohort of 12 137 children born after donor ART (52% male, 55% singleton births), no overall increased risk of cancer was identified. There were 12 cancers detected compared to 14.4 expected (standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 0.83; 95% CI 0.43-1.45; P = 0.50). A small, significant increased risk of hepatoblastoma was found, but the numbers and absolute risks were small (<5 cases observed; SIR 10.28; 95% CI 1.25-37.14; P < 0.05). This increased hepatoblastoma risk was associated with low birthweight.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

Although this study includes a large number of children born after donor ART, the rarity of specific diagnostic subgroups of childhood cancer results in few cases and therefore wide CIs for such outcomes. As this is an observational study, it is not possible to adjust for all potential confounders; we have instead used stratification to explore potential moderating and mediating factors, where data were available.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

This is the first study to investigate cancer risk in children born after donor ART. Although based on small numbers, results are reassuring for families and clinicians. The small but significant increased risk of hepatoblastoma detected was associated with low birthweight, a known risk factor for this tumour type. It should be emphasized that the absolute risks are very small. However, on-going investigation with a longer follow-up is needed.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was funded by Cancer Research UK (C36038/A12535) and the National Institute for Health Research (405526) and supported by the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and University College London. The work of the Childhood Cancer Research Group (CCRG) was supported by the charity CHILDREN with CANCER UK, the National Cancer Intelligence Network, the Scottish Government and the Department of Health for England and Wales. There are no competing interests.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Cancer risk in children and young adults born preterm: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Risk of developing a malignancy when born premature is unknown. We hypothesised that risk of certain cancers might be increased in youth born preterm versus term. We therefore performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the incidence of malignancy in the context of preterm birth, according to various cancer types.

Methods

The study was designed per MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines. Articles were identified through November 2015. Observational studies exploring the association between childhood malignancy and birth characteristics were included. Of the 1658 records identified, 109 full text articles were evaluated for eligibility. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted on 10/26 studies retained; 95% confidence intervals were computed and adjusted following sensitivity analysis. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots, Begg’s and Egger’s tests.

Results

No differences in risk of primary central nervous system tumor [OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.93–1.17, 5 studies, 580 cases] and neuroblastoma [OR 1.09; 95% CI 0.90–1.32, 5 studies, 211 cases] were observed in individuals born <37 versus ≥37 weeks’ gestation. Preterm birth was consistently associated with hepatoblastoma [ORs 3.12 (95% CI 2.32–4.20), 1.52 (95% CI 1.1–2.1), 1.82 (95% CI 1.01–3.26), and 2.65 (95% CI 1.98–3.55)], but not leukemia, astrocytoma, ependymoma, medulloblastoma, lymphoma, nephroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, retinoblastoma or thyroid cancer.

Conclusions

Children born premature may be at increased risk for hepatoblastoma but there is no strong evidence of an increased risk of primary central nervous system tumours or neuroblastoma. There is insufficient evidence to conclude whether prematurity modulates the risk of other childhood cancers.

Parental age and childhood cancer risk: A Danish population-based registry study

BACKGROUND

Though the association between parental age at child's birth and the risk of childhood cancer has been previously investigated, the evidence to date is inconclusive and scarce for rarer cancer types.

METHODS

Cancer cases (N=5,856) were selected from all children born from 1968 to 2014 and diagnosed from 1968 to 2015 in Denmark at less than 16 years of age listed in the nationwide Danish Cancer Registry. Cases were individually matched to controls (1:100) on sex and year of birth with a total of 585,594 controls randomly sampled from all live births in Denmark from the Danish Central Population Registry. Parental age at child's birth was extracted from the Central Population Registry. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios for the association between parental age at child's birth and childhood cancer risk. Parental age was modeled as both categorical (referent group, parents aged 25-29) and continuous per 5-year increase in age.

RESULTS

Offspring of older mothers were at an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia [OR=1.10, 95% CI: (1.02, 1.19) per 5-year increase in age]. Older maternal age (40+) increased the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma [OR=1.96, 95%CI: (1.12, 3.43)]. The risk of Wilms' tumor also appeared elevated with older paternal age [OR=1.11, 95% CI: (0.97, 1.28) per 5-year increment in age].

CONCLUSION

Older parental age was a risk factor for various childhood cancers in Danish children. Further investigation of the biological and social factors that may be contributing to these associations is warranted.

Hepatoblastoma in an 11-year-old: Case report and a review of the literature

RATIONALE

Hepatoblastoma is a rare malignancy. Approximately 100 cases are diagnosed yearly in the United States. The highest incidence occurs in infants and in children younger than 5 years. Cases involving patients older than 5 years are very rare. We describe the case of a patient who was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma at an atypical age of presentation for this type of malignancy. We also performed Ovid MEDLINE search for hepatoblastoma and epidemiology reports occurring in children between the ages of 5 and 18 years. In this article we review the epidemiology and summarize case reports published between 1997 and 2012 of patients with hepatoblastoma, who were older than 5 years.

PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSIS

Our patient is an 11 year old boy with stage IV hepatoblastoma with lung and omental metastases at diagnosis.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient received 7 cycles of chemotherapy following the treatment plan of COG protocol AHEP 0731, off study. He also had tumor resection and omentectomy and achieved complete remission.

OUTCOMES

He later had disease recurrence and after undergoing treatment with different modalities, ultimately died of his disease. Review of SEER program data shows that the incidence of hepatoblastoma in children above the age of 5 years is too infrequent to be calculated. Literature review revealed 13 cases of patients diagnosed at age older than 5 years. Most cases were published due to unusual associations and/or complications. There are no obvious unifying characteristics for these cases, although there may be a slight male preponderance and many patients in this selected series presented with elevated Alpha-fetoprotein.

LESSONS

The reported case is rare, given the very low incidence of hepatoblastoma outside of infancy. A systematic review of characteristics and outcomes for patients older than 5 years who are enrolled in cooperative group hepatoblastoma trials may reveal important information about the epidemiology and tumor biology in this rare patient population.

Maternal Smoking and the Risk of Cancer in Early Life - A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

In spite of the well-known harmful effects on the fetus, many women continue smoking during pregnancy. Smoking as an important source of toxic chemicals may contribute to the developmental origin of diseases.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work was to pursue the possible association between maternal smoking and cancer in early life. Specifically, we wanted to identify the associated early life cancer types, and to quantify the associations.

METHODS

In a systematic literature search 825 articles were identified in PubMed and Web of Science, and 55 more through the reference lists. Of these 62 fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in meta-analyses. Using Mantel-Haenszel or DerSimonian and Laird method, depending on heterogeneity of the studies, pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals for eight cancer types were calculated.

RESULTS

Smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk for for brain and central nervous system tumors (OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.02-1.17). Although the risk for lymphoma was also associated (OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.05-1.34), it did not hold up in subgroup analyses. Leukemia was not found to be associated with maternal smoking. Five other cancer types (bone, soft tissue, renal, hepatic, and germ cell cancer) were also examined, but the number of studies was too limited to exclude the possibility of maternal smoking as a risk factor for cancer in offspring.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our meta-analyses, maternal smoking is associated with nervous system cancers, but not with leukemia in early life. Confirming or rejecting associations of maternal smoking with lymphoma and the five other cancer types requires further studies.

A single-center retrospective study of pediatric hepatoblastoma

Hepatoblastoma is a malignant liver tumor generally diagnosed in infants and children <3 years old. The current retrospective study aimed to investigate the associations of tumor stage, pathological type, metastasis and chemotherapy with clinical outcomes. In the current study, a total of 102 patients with hepatoblastoma were enrolled between September 2006 and June 2014. Clinical records and follow-up information for each of patient were obtained to conduct a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test. The median age of the subjects was 1.5 years, and 98 patients had stage III or IV hepatoblastoma. Complete or partial remittance occurred in 72 subjects, and 91 underwent surgical operation. The survival rate differed significantly among patients with different tumor stages (P=0.015, χ²=8.359). The mortality rate of stage IV subjects with intrahepatic metastasis was significantly higher than that of those without (P=0.004). Among the 45 subjects with relapsed hepatoblastoma, the mortality rate was higher in the subjects that abandoned chemotherapy than in patients who continued regular chemotherapy. In total, 27 of 45 subjects with relapsed hepatoblastoma succumbed to the disease; 20 of them abandoned chemotherapy treatment; and the remaining 7 patients underwent regular chemotherapy and succumbed to the disease by the end of follow-up. The present study indicates that the increased mortality rate was associated with postoperative residual-induced intrahepatic metastasis and relapsed hepatoblastoma; and that regular chemotherapy is necessary for patient to achieve complete or partial remission following surgical operation.

Trends in incidence of childhood malignant solid tumors in Japan: Estimation based on hospital-based registration

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

In Japan, an increase in hepatoblastoma with low birth weight has become evident since the 1990 s, and there is concern about a possible increase in unfavorable neuroblastomas after the cessation of mass screening in 2004.

METHODS

The trends in incidence of malignant solid tumors in children younger than 15 years of age were inferred by evaluating registration incidence in the registry of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons.

RESULTS

A significant trend toward an increase in the registration incidence for hepatoblastoma was observed (p<0.001). Hepatoblastomas with low birth weight (<1500 g) represented as many as 16% of hepatoblastomas. In hepatocellular carcinoma, there was a significant trend toward a decrease (p=0.042). The registration incidence of nonmass screening-detected neuroblastoma remained unchanged until 2003, but the registration incidence in the period from 2004 to 2012 was significantly higher than that in the period from 1996 to 2003 (p=0.021). There was an increase in the relative incidence of favorable stages after the cessation of mass screening.

CONCLUSIONS

The notable increase in hepatoblastoma during the last three decades is partly attributed to an increase in hepatoblastoma in children of low birth weight, but this alone is not sufficient to explain the increase in hepatoblastoma. The increase in neuroblastoma after the halt of mass screening is so minimal that it is not recommended to consider reimplementation of mass screening.

Incidence, Trends, and Survival of Children With Embryonal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS embryonal tumors occur principally in children and are rarely seen in adults. The incidence rates for rare entities such as atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) or primitive neuroectodermal tumors in the CNS are rarely published. Incidence rates for certain subgroups, such as hepatoblastomas, have been increasing in some countries.

METHODS

Data of 8337 embryonal tumors, registered in children (0-14 years) between 1991 and 2012 (for AT/RT 2000-2012) in the population-based German Childhood Cancer Registry with complete national coverage were analyzed for incidence rates, time trends, and survival.

RESULTS

For most entities, the incidence rates were the highest for children <1 year. An important exception was medulloblastomas, which occurred mainly in 1- to 9-year-olds. Neuroblastomas and ganglioneuroblastomas as well as Wilms tumors (nephroblastomas) had the highest age standardized incidence rates (13.7 and 9.4 per million, respectively). A statistically significant increasing trend for hepatoblastomas (annual average percent change 4.6%) was detected. The survival probabilities varied between the diagnostic groups: primitive neuroectodermal tumors and AT/RT had the lowest and retinoblastomas the highest. The survival was dependent on the age at diagnosis, the most extreme examples being neuroblastomas, for which the survival probability declined steeply for children ≥1 year and medulloblastomas, for which the highest survival was seen for 10- to 14-year-olds.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents a comprehensive overview of pediatric embryonal tumors from a well-established, complete nationwide cancer registry. Significant increasing trend for hepatoblastomas was detected for the first time in Europe.

Neonatal medical exposures and characteristics of low birth weight hepatoblastoma cases: a report from the Children's Oncology Group

BACKGROUND

Hepatoblastoma is a malignancy of young children. Low birth weight is associated with significantly increased risk of hepatoblastoma and neonatal medical exposures are hypothesized as contributors. This study represents the largest case-control study of hepatoblastoma to date and aimed to define the role of neonatal exposures in hepatoblastoma risk among low birth weight children.

PROCEDURE

Incident hepatoblastoma cases who were born <2,500 g (N = 60), diagnosed between 2000 and 2008, were identified through the Children's Oncology Group. Controls were recruited through state birth registries (N = 51). Neonatal medical exposures were abstracted from medical records. Subjects from the Vermont Oxford Network were used for further comparisons, as were existing reports on neonatal medical exposures.

RESULTS

Case-control comparisons were hindered by poor matching within birth weight strata. Cases were smaller and received more aggressive neonatal treatment compared to controls, and reflected high correlation levels between birth weight and treatments. Similar difficulty was encountered when comparing cases to Vermont Oxford Network subjects; cases were smaller and required more aggressive neonatal therapy. Furthermore, it appears hepatoblastoma cases were exposed to a greater number of diagnostic X-rays than in case series previously reported in the neonatal literature.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents the largest case series of hepatoblastoma in <2,500 g birth weight infants with accompanying neonatal medical exposure data. Findings confirm that birth weight is highly correlated with exposure intensity, and neonatal exposures are themselves highly correlated, which hampers the identification of a causal exposure among hepatoblastoma cases. Experimental models or genetic susceptibility testing may be more revealing of etiology.

Parental tobacco and alcohol use and risk of hepatoblastoma in offspring: a report from the children's oncology group

BACKGROUND

Hepatoblastoma is a rare pediatric liver tumor that has significantly increased in incidence over the last several decades. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified hepatoblastoma as a tobacco-related cancer. Parental alcohol use has shown no association. We examined associations between parental tobacco and alcohol use around the time of pregnancy and hepatoblastoma in a large case-control study.

METHODS

Maternal interviews were completed for 383 cases diagnosed in the United States during 2000-2008. Controls (n = 387) were identified through U.S. birth registries and frequency-matched to cases on birth weight, birth year, and region of residence. We used unconditional logistic regression to calculate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between parental smoking and maternal drinking and offspring hepatoblastoma.

RESULTS

We found no association between hepatoblastoma and maternal smoking at any time (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.7-1.4), within the year before pregnancy (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8-1.6), early in pregnancy (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.7-1.6), or throughout pregnancy (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.5-1.6). We observed marginally positive associations between hepatoblastoma and paternal smoking in the year before pregnancy (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-2.0) and during pregnancy (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.9-2.0). Maternal alcohol use was not associated with hepatoblastoma.

CONCLUSION

Our results do not provide evidence for an etiologic relationship between maternal smoking or drinking and hepatoblastoma, and only weak evidence for an association for paternal smoking in the year before pregnancy.

IMPACT

Our study provides limited support for hepatoblastoma as a tobacco-related cancer; however, it remains wise to counsel prospective parents on the merits of smoking cessation.

Maternal pregnancy events and exposures and risk of hepatoblastoma: a Children's Oncology Group (COG) study

BACKGROUND

Hepatoblastoma is a rare childhood liver cancer with an obscure etiology, however it is potentially associated with selected pregnancy events and hepatoblastoma risk in offspring.

METHODS

Adjusted unconditional logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for self-reported pregnancy events and medication use in a sample of mothers of 383 childhood hepatoblastoma cases and 387 controls.

RESULTS

Risk of hepatoblastoma was significantly associated with maternal first trimester weight gain (OR = 1.02; 95% CI 1.00, 1.04 per 1 lb increase and nearly significantly with maternal multivitamin use (OR = 0.73; 95% CI 0.51, 1.03). Hepatoblastoma was not associated with other maternal weight changes, maternal illness or medication use during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

We found little evidence that maternal illness or most medication use during pregnancy are associated with hepatoblastoma in offspring.

Case-control study of birth characteristics and the risk of hepatoblastoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatoblastoma is a malignant embryonal tumor typically diagnosed in children younger than five years of age. Little is known on hepatoblastoma etiology.

METHODS

We matched California Cancer Registry records of hepatoblastomas diagnosed in children younger than age 6 from 1988 to 2007 to birth records using a probabilistic record linkage program, yielding 261 cases. Controls (n=218,277), frequency matched by birth year to all cancer cases in California for the same time period, were randomly selected from California birth records. We examined demographic and socioeconomic information, birth characteristics, pregnancy history, complications in pregnancy, labor and delivery, and abnormal conditions and clinical procedures relating to the newborn, with study data taken from birth certificates.

RESULTS

We observed increased risks for hepatoblastoma among children with low [1500-2499 g, Odds Ratio (OR)=2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-3.15] and very low birthweight (<1500 g, OR=15.4, 95% CI 10.7-22.3), preterm birth <33 weeks (OR=7.27, 95% CI 5.00, 10.6), small size for gestational age (OR=1.75, 95% CI 1.25-2.45), and with multiple birth pregnancies (OR=2.52, 95% CI 1.54-4.14). We observed a number of pregnancy and labor complications to be related to hepatoblastoma, including preeclampsia, premature labor, fetal distress, and congenital anomalies.

CONCLUSION

These findings confirm previously reported associations with low birthweight and preeclampsia. The relation with multiple birth pregnancies has been previously reported and may indicate a relation to infertility treatments.