Trends in pediatric lymphoma incidence by global region, age and sex from 1988-2012

STAT3 Expression and Its Correlation with PD-L1 Expression in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Lymphoma at Dr. Saiful Anwar Regional Public Hospital in Malang, Indonesian Population

Background

Lymphomas are malignant lymphocyte neoplasms that globally account for 10% of cancers in individuals aged <20 years. Malignant lymphomas are divided into Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Despite the availability of many therapeutic modalities for lymphoma, such as Brentuximab vedotin, Nivolumab, and Pembrolizumab, it is still necessary to identify appropriate strategies with minimal side effects. Immunotherapy is a promising approach, exemplified by targeting JAK/STAT3 signaling, which can inhibit tumor growth and enhance antitumor immune responses. Hence, STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) is a promising therapeutic target. PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1), an immune checkpoint molecule, is used as a frontline treatment for various cancers. This study aims to determine STAT3 expression and its correlation with PD-L1 expression in NHL and HL to serve as a basis for further research on anti-STAT3 and its combination with other therapy targets.

Methods

Samples were obtained from paraffin blocks of patients with confirmed diagnoses of NHL and HL, and then immunohistochemical staining was carried out with PD-L1 and STAT3 antibodies. The collected data were then analyzed using SPSS.

Results

Among the 10 HL patients, no patients (0%) expressed STAT3, while nine patients (90%) expressed PD-L1. Among the 10 NHL patients, 1 patient (10%) expressed STAT3, while six patients (60%) expressed PD-L1. There were no significant differences in STAT3 expression and PD-L1 expression between HL patients and NHL patients. There was no correlation between STAT3 and PD-L1 expression in HL and NHL because almost all STAT3 expressions were negative.

Conclusion

Although this study revealed no differences between STAT3 and PD-L1 expression in HL and NHL and no significant correlation between STAT3 and PD-L1 expression in HL and NHL, this may serve as the basis for understanding the role of STAT3 and PD-L1 in the regulation of HL and NHL, which may be useful for further research targeting STAT3 and PD-L1 immunotherapy in HL and NHL.

B-NHL Cases in a Tertiary Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department: A 20-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is among the five most common pediatric cancer diagnoses in children and adolescents and consists of a heterogeneous group of lymphoid tissue malignancies -with B-cell-derived NHL accounting for nearly 80% of cases. Novel and high-throughput diagnostic tools have significantly increased our understanding of B-NHL biology and molecular pathogenesis, leading to new NHL classifications and treatment options. This retrospective cohort study investigated 17 cases of both mature B-cell NHL (Burkitt lymphoma or BL; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or DLBCL; Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma or PMBCL; Follicular lymphoma or FL) and immature B-cell progenitor NHL (B-lymphoblastic lymphoma or BLL) that were treated in a tertiary Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department during the last 20 years. Modern NHL protocols for children, adolescents, and young adults, along with the addition of rituximab, are safe and efficient (100% overall survival; one relapse). Elevated ESR was more prevalent than elevated LDH. Analyses have focused on immune reconstitution (grade ≥3 infections, lymphocyte and immunoglobulin levels recovery) and body-mass-index changes post-treatment, late effects (in 53% of patients), and the presence of histology markers BCL2, BCL6, CD30, cMYC, and Ki-67%. One patient was diagnosed with a second malignant neoplasm (papillary thyroid cancer).

Pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma as a rare cause of spinal cord injury: When lymphoma hides in the canal

Key Clinical Message

Spinal cord compression from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) should be considered as a potential diagnosis in cases of acute signs of myelopathy in pediatric patients.

Abstract

Spinal cord compression in pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a rare presentation with potential diagnostic challenges. We report on two pediatric patients with NHL who exhibited myelopathy signs as initial presentation. Considering NHL as a differential diagnosis in pediatric patients presenting with spinal cord compression is crucial for optimizing the outcome of these patients.

Pediatric Imaging Using PET/MR Imaging

PET/MR imaging is a one-stop shop technique for pediatric diseases allowing not only an accurate clinical assessment of tumors at staging and restaging but also the diagnosis of neurologic, inflammatory, and infectious diseases in complex cases. Moreover, applying PET kinetic analyses and sequences such as diffusion-weighted imaging as well as quantitative analysis investigating the relationship between disease metabolic activity and cellularity can be applied. Complex radiomics analysis can also be performed.

Intussusception as a presentation of Burkitt’s lymphoma: a case series

Background Intussusception remains one of the most common emergencies in pediatrics. It typically occurs between six months and three years of age, but it can be observed in all age groups. Intussusception usually presents with traditionally described symptoms; however, it is believed that the older the patient, the higher the risk of an existing pathological lead point, which could be associated with less characteristic symptoms. It is crucial to make a timely diagnosis when intussusception is caused by a malignancy, such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, as the treatment of limited-stage Burkitt’s lymphoma has become very successful in recent years. Aim of the study The authors performed an analysis of all patients who presented to the clinic with intussusception caused by Burkitt’s lymphoma to determine whether there are characteristic symptoms in this group of patients that would enable faster implementation of oncological diagnostics. Case series Four patients with an average age of eight years presented with intussusception as the first sign of Burkitt’s lymphoma. They usually presented with a history of recurrent abdominal pain lasting for a few weeks. In three cases, a pathological lead point was visualized during the initial ultrasound examination. All of the patients were treated surgically. The stage of disease ranged from I to III, according to the St. Jude staging system. Conclusions Based on our small group of patients, we were able to observe some characteristic symptoms that are different from those most commonly seen in spontaneous intussusception: several weeks of recurrent abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. These observations are consistent with the spectrum and frequency of symptoms reported in the literature. The presence of a constellation of specific clinical features should allow clinicians to immediately suspect neoplastic diseases.

International patterns and trends of childhood and adolescent cancer, 1978-2012

Background

This study aimed to provide a detailed analysis of the temporal trends of cancer incidence rates for individuals aged 0-19 years in selected regions globally from 1978 to 2012.

Methods

Data were obtained from Volumes V-XI of Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5), published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. A total of 53 registries in 23 regions from the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania that contained information on cancer incidence throughout 1978-2012 (35 years) were included in this study. Joinpoint regression was used for the analysis of trends.

Results

Most regions showed increasing trends in overall childhood cancer among children (aged 0-14 years) and adolescents (aged 15-19 years). Nearly all regions showed rising trends in childhood and adolescent leukemia incidence rates, whereas the incidence of lymphoma among children generally decreased. Only France, Australia, and New Zealand showed decreasing trends for malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors among adolescents. Kidney cancer and bone cancer incidence rates remained stable for most regions. The incidence of thyroid cancer among adolescents increased in most regions and that of testicular cancer decreased in approximately one-half of the regions studied.

Conclusion

The international temporal trends of cancer incidents among children and adolescents are varied by region, cancer type, age group, and gender, and have changed over time.