Hypertriglyceridemia during asparaginase treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia correlates with antithrombin activity in adolescents

Management of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: A consensus report from the GCC Adult ALL Working Group

Leukemia burden is growing in the Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) countries. Nonetheless, there is no unified protocol for managing adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients in the GCC-countries. Therefore, the GCC Adult-ALL Treaters working group developed this consensus to address the adult-ALL treatment protocols in the GCC-countries and related toxicities' management. Besides, the consensus aimed to highlight the current unmet needs and treatment gaps and provide recommendations to optimize adult-ALL care and patient-centered communication. A three-step modified Delphi method to develop evidence-based recommendations through two-voting rounds and in-between virtual meetings are used in the manuscript development. A 12 experts' panel from five GCC-countries and two international experts were invited to participate in this consensus. This consensus consisted of 35-statements that highlighted the experts' recommendations to optimize ALL adults' care in the first line setting and manage pediatric or pediatric-inspired regimens-related toxicities. Besides, guidance was provided for future research direction and improve patient-centered communication. In conclusion, the adult-ALL management landscape is evolving, and the current evidence highlights better response and survival outcomes with pediatric or pediatric-inspired regiments. Therefore, protocols are needed to optimize the adult-ALL management in the GCC and tailored clinical-trials findings according to the GCC patients' characteristics and local-healthcare infrastructure.

Hyperlipidemia in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The established association between acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hyperlipidemia has, in some studies, been linked to toxicities such as pancreatitis, thrombosis, and osteonecrosis. However, a systematic review investigating the incidence, management, and clinical implications of hyperlipidemia during childhood ALL treatment is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

Systematically assess the incidence of hyperlipidemia during ALL treatment, explore associations with risk factors and severe toxicities (osteonecrosis, thrombosis, and pancreatitis), and review prevalent management strategies.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Data synthesis was descriptive, and a meta-analysis of hypertriglyceridemia and risk of severe toxicities was performed.

RESULTS

We included 13 studies with 3,425 patients. Hyperlipidemia incidence varied widely (6.7%-85%) but with inconsistent definitions and screening strategies across studies. Evidence regarding risk factors was conflicting, but age (> 10 years) and treatment with asparaginase and glucocorticosteroids seem to be associated with hyperlipidemia. Hypertriglyceridemia (grade 3/4) increased the risk for osteonecrosis (odds ratio (OR): 4.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.77-6.61). No association could be established for pancreatitis (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.53-4.82) or thrombosis (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 0.86-7.01), but larger studies are needed to confirm this.

CONCLUSION

The overall evidence of this systematic review is limited by the small number of studies and risk of bias. Our review suggests that hypertriglyceridemia increases the risk for osteonecrosis. However, larger studies are needed to explore the clinical implications of hyperlipidemia and randomized trials investigating hyperlipidemia management and its impact on severe toxicities.

Asparaginase: How to Better Manage Toxicities in Adults

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to help oncologists who predominantly treat adults better understand and manage asparaginase associated toxicities and prevent unnecessary discontinuation or reluctance of its use.

RECENT FINDINGS

Given the data supporting the benefit of incorporating multiple doses of asparaginase in pediatric type regimens, it is prudent to promote deeper understanding of this drug, particularly its toxicities, and its use so as to optimize treatment of ALL. Although asparaginase is associated with a variety of toxicities, the vast majority are not life threatening and do not preclude repeat dosing of this important drug. Understanding the pharmacology and toxicity profile of asparaginase is critical to dosing asparaginase appropriately in order to minimize these toxicities.

SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions | Asparaginase-Understanding and Overcoming Toxicities in Adults with ALL

The adoption of pediatric-inspired regimens in young adults with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has significantly improved their survival outcomes. Pediatric-inspired regimens in ALL rely profoundly on delivering adequate dosing of non-myelosuppressive drugs of which asparaginase, a bacterial derived agent, is a key component. Asparaginase therapy is associated with a spectrum of unique toxicities that are observed more frequently in adult patients compared to children with ALL, and this observation has contributed to the reluctance of adult oncologists to administer the drug to their patients. Understanding the breadth of asparaginase toxicity and the associated risk factors may help in preventing severe manifestations and allow safer treatment for adults with ALL. In this review, we will discuss the different formulations of asparaginase and the appropriate dosing in adults with ALL. We will further discuss the frequency and risk factors for individual toxicities of asparaginase along with strategies for their prevention and management.

Whole blood long-chain n-3 fatty acids as a measure of fish oil compliance in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a pilot study

Long-chain n-3 fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) may prevent chemotherapy-induced hyperlipidemia in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, compliance could be a problem and intake-biomarker correlations may be affected by bodyweight and blood transfusions. We assessed whole blood n-3 LCPUFA three times during the first 83 days of treatment in six 1-17-year-old children with ALL, who received 2.4-4.9 g/d n-3 LCPUFA depending on bodyweight. Mean compliance was 73%, which resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in blood n-3 LCPUFA irrespective of blood transfusions. The correlation between relative blood content of n-3 LCPUFA and intake in g/d across the study period was strong (r=0.76, p=0.001). When n-3 LCPUFA was expressed in absolute concentrations and intake per kg bodyweight the correlation decreased (r=0.39, p=0.164) and was driven by baseline values. Thus, relative content of n-3 LCPUFA in blood reflects fish oil compliance in children with ALL despite blood transfusions and differences in bodyweight.

SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions: Management of Asparaginase Toxicity in Adolescents and Young Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

A wider use of L-asparaginase in the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia has improved cure rates during recent decades and hence led to introduction of pediatric-inspired treatment protocols for adolescents and young adults. In parallel, a range of burdensome, often severe and occasionally life-threatening toxicities have become frequent, including hypersensitivity, hepatotoxicity, hypertriglyceridemia, thromboembolism, pancreatitis, and osteonecrosis. This often leads to truncation of asparaginase therapy, which at least in the pediatric population has been clearly associated with a higher risk of leukemic relapse. Many of the asparaginase induced toxicities are far more common in older patients, but since their relapse rate is still unsatisfactory, the decision to discontinue asparaginase therapy should balance the risk of toxicity with continued asparaginase therapy against the risk of relapse in the individual patient. The underlying mechanisms of most of the asparaginase induced side effects are still unclear. In this review we address the individual toxicities, known risk factors, and their clinical management.

Bone pain at leukemia diagnosis and other risk factors for symptomatic osteonecrosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Osteonecrosis is a major cause of acute and long-lasting complications of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy in children. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, risk factors, and outcome of osteonecrosis in children with ALL.

PROCEDURE

The cohort included 559 children aged 1-20 years diagnosed with ALL between 2003 and 2018 at two tertiary medical centers in Israel and enrolled in two consecutive protocols: ALL-IC BFM 2002 and AIEOP-BFM ALL 2009. Symptomatic osteonecrosis was prospectively captured as an adverse event.

RESULTS

Osteonecrosis occurred in 51 patients (9.1%). Ninety-four percent of the events were graded as moderate or severe (grades 3-4, Ponte di Legno Toxicity Working Group classification) and multiple bone involvement was common. Full resolution of osteonecrosis was documented in only 16% of the children (median follow-up 4.2 years). Stepwise logistic regression identified five risk factors for osteonecrosis, with a high predictive value (AUC = 0.88): older ageat ALL diagnosis, high-risk ALL group, T-cell immunophenotype, female gender, and a novel risk factor: bone pain at the time of leukemia diagnosis. In addition, osteonecrosis was less common among children of Arab ethnicity. Thrombophilia and an elevated age-adjusted body mass index were not confirmed as risk factors for osteonecrosis.

CONCLUSION

Due to the low rates of osteonecrosis resolution and its debilitating long-term impact, the identification of patients at high risk for osteonecrosis is important for their inclusion in further studies evaluating potential therapeutic adjustments.

Pegaspargase in Practice: Minimizing Toxicity, Maximizing Benefit

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The incorporation of pegaspargase in chemotherapy regimens has significantly improved the prognosis of ALL in adults. However, pegaspargase use poses many challenges due to its unique toxicity profile. Here, we review pegaspargase's most clinically significant toxicities, and provide guidance for their prevention and management in order to avoid unnecessary drug discontinuation and achieve maximum clinical benefit.

RECENT FINDINGS

Clinically significant toxicities of pegaspargase include thrombosis, hypersensitivity and inactivation, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and hypertriglyceridemia. The majority of these toxicities are temporary, nonfatal, and can be managed supportively without permanent pegaspargase discontinuation. Special attention should be paid to inactivation, which can lead to treatment failure, as well as pancreatitis, which necessitates complete cessation of asparaginase therapy. The question of how to best proceed in patients who cannot tolerate pegaspargase remains unanswered, and is an important area of future investigation. Pegaspargase is an essential component of the pediatric-inspired regimens that have improved survival in adult ALL. Although pegaspargase's toxicity profile is unique, it is also highly manageable and should not be a barrier to achieving maximum clinical benefit using this drug.

Managing toxicities with asparaginase-based therapies in adult ALL: summary of an ESMO Open-Cancer Horizons roundtable discussion

With recent prospective clinical trials that used paediatric regimens with multiple doses of pegylated form of asparaginase (PEG asparaginase) in adults reporting significantly improved survival compared with historical data with regimens that used less asparaginase, PEG asparaginase is increasingly being used in the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, administering asparaginase still comes with its challenges, especially in adult patients. Therefore, it is important to understand how to manage its toxicities properly. An expert group met in November 2019 in London to discuss recent data of paediatric as well as adult studies using paediatric regimens with regard to the best management of several key toxicities that can occur in adults treated with asparaginase including hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, hypertriglyceridaemia, thrombosis and hypersensitivity. Several recommendations were made for each one of these toxicities, with the goal of safe administration of the drug and to educate clinicians when the drug can be continued despite side effects.

Lipid Apheresis to Manage Severe Hypertriglyceridemia during Induction Therapy in a Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

PEG asparaginase is an important and established drug in the treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Severe hypertriglyceridemia is a rare complication of PEG asparaginase in combination with glucocorticoids. We report a case of excessive hypertriglyceridemia in a child during ALL induction therapy successfully treated by lipid apheresis and give a literature review on the management of hypertriglyceridemia in children treated for ALL.

Optimal approach to the treatment of young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2020

Akin to the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), pediatric-based asparaginase-heavy approaches have revolutionized the treatment of young adults with the Philadelphia chromosome-negative subset the past decades. Once again, we are approaching a new era. An era of precision medicine with immunotherapy and other molecularly targeted treatments that offers unique opportunities to customize treatment intensity with or without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, reduce the burden of toxicities, and combat persistent residual disease. Recently approved agents for refractory/relapsed B-cell precursor ALL include the chimeric antigen receptor-modified T-cells, the anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody-drug conjugate, inotuzumab ozogamicin, and the bispecific anti-CD19 T-cell engager, blinatumomab. These agents are expected to move widely into the frontline setting along with the proteasome inhibitors, bortezomib and carfilzomib, as well as tyrosine kinase inhibitors for Philadelphia-like rearrangements that are especially frequent among young adults. To this add the BH3 mimetics, venetoclax and navitoclax, which are being widely explored in refractory/relapsed as well as frontline settings for B- and T-cell ALL. The promising anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, daratumumab, is entering the scene of refractory/relapsed T-ALL, whereas the old purine analogue, nelarabine, is being evaluated in a new upfront setting. This review focuses on 2 main questions: How do we optimize frontline as well as salvage ALL treatment of young adults in the 2020s? Not least, how do we address the current burden of serious toxicities unique to young adults?

Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on Hyperlipidemia during Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment - A Pilot Study

Hyperlipidemia is common during contemporary treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and may increase risk of osteonecrosis, thrombosis, and possibly acute pancreatitis. Marine fatty acids found in fish oil decrease levels of triglycerides and possibly total cholesterol in hyperlipidemic patients. This prospective pilot study provided fish oil for 83 days to seven children undergoing acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment. On average fish oil was consumed 74% of the intervention period. Further, we found significant lower levels of triglycerides (P = 0.016) and total cholesterol (P = 0.027) compared to 22 historical controls, although correction for one extra PEG-asparaginase dose reduced the level of significance. However, the findings indicate that fish oil may alleviate development of hyperlipidemia during acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings and to investigate the potential effect of fish oil supplements on development of severe adverse events, including osteonecrosis, thrombosis, and acute pancreatitis.

The prevalence and etiology of extreme hypertriglyceridemia in children: Data from a tertiary children's hospital

BACKGROUND

Extreme hypertriglyceridemia (eHTG; serum triglycerides ≥ 2000 mg/dL) poses a significant risk for acute pancreatitis. There is paucity of data regarding the prevalence and etiology of eHTG in children.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence, clinical features and etiologies of patients with eHTG at a tertiary children's hospital in the United States and in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of the electronic medical records of the Children's Medical Center, Dallas, from 2000-2015, and the NHANES data from 2005-2014 for eHTG.

RESULTS

Of 30,623 children, 36 (∼ 1 in 1000) had eHTG and one-third of them developed acute pancreatitis. They tended to be female (61%), Hispanic (39%), and nonobese (median body mass index z-score 1.60 and 1.25 in males and females, respectively). Most patients had secondary causes such as uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (30%), L-asparaginase and high-dose corticosteroid therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (28%), and sirolimus/tacrolimus therapy after solid organ transplantation (14%). Five patients (14%) had type 1 hyperlipoproteinemia (T1HLP; familial chylomicronemia syndrome). The NHANES data revealed that none of the 2362 children had eHTG, and the prevalence in adults was 0.02%.

CONCLUSIONS

Extreme HTG is rare in children and majority of the children had secondary causes. Patients with diabetes mellitus or receiving drugs, such as, L-asparaginase, corticosteroids, and sirolimus, should be closely monitored for eHTG. Prevalence of T1HLP is approximately 1 in 6000 at a tertiary care center with an estimated population prevalence of 1 in 3,00,000. Early neonatal screening and intervention for T1HLP can prevent life-threatening morbidities such as acute pancreatitis.