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Pathania AS. Immune Microenvironment in Childhood Cancers: Characteristics and Therapeutic Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2201. [PMID: 38927907 PMCID: PMC11201451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment is pivotal in cancer initiation, advancement, and regulation. Its molecular and cellular composition is critical throughout the disease, as it can influence the balance between suppressive and cytotoxic immune responses within the tumor's vicinity. Studies on the tumor immune microenvironment have enriched our understanding of the intricate interplay between tumors and their immunological surroundings in various human cancers. These studies illuminate the role of significant components of the immune microenvironment, which have not been extensively explored in pediatric tumors before and may influence the responsiveness or resistance to therapeutic agents. Our deepening understanding of the pediatric tumor immune microenvironment is helping to overcome challenges related to the effectiveness of existing therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapies. Although in the early stages, targeted therapies that modulate the tumor immune microenvironment of pediatric solid tumors hold promise for improved outcomes. Focusing on various aspects of tumor immune biology in pediatric patients presents a therapeutic opportunity that could improve treatment outcomes. This review offers a comprehensive examination of recent literature concerning profiling the immune microenvironment in various pediatric tumors. It seeks to condense research findings on characterizing the immune microenvironment in pediatric tumors and its impact on tumor development, metastasis, and response to therapeutic modalities. It covers the immune microenvironment's role in tumor development, interactions with tumor cells, and its impact on the tumor's response to immunotherapy. The review also discusses challenges targeting the immune microenvironment for pediatric cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup Singh Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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Chen SH, Chang TY, Wang YL, Lee EP, Lin JJ, Hsiao YW, Jaing TH, Yang CP, Hung IJ. Outcome of Tocilizumab Treatment in Febrile Neutropenic Children with Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock in a Single-Center Retrospective Case Series. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1512. [PMID: 38672594 PMCID: PMC11048420 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the efficacy of an IL-6 blockade with tocilizumab on treatment outcome of severe sepsis/septic shock in children with febrile neutropenia. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of febrile neutropenic patients younger than 18 years old who developed severe sepsis/septic shock at a single medical center between November 2022 and October 2023. RESULTS Seven patients with febrile neutropenia complicated with severe sepsis/septic shock were identified. Four of seven patients received tocilizumab in addition to standard of care. The median IL-6 level before administration of tocilizumab was 14,147 pg/mL (range: 672-30,509 pg/mL). All four patients successfully recovered from severe sepsis/septic shock. Three of seven patients received standard of care without tocilizumab. IL-6 levels were checked intwo2 patients, with a median of 1514.5 (range: 838-2191). Only one of three (33%) patients without tocilizumab therapy made a full recovery from severe sepsis/septic shock. The mortality rate was higher in patients without tocilizumab therapy compared to patients with tocilizumab therapy (67% vs. 0%). CONCLUSIONS Administration of tocilizumab reduced mortality of severe sepsis/septic shock in children with febrile neutropenia. However, it warrants confirmation with a larger number of patients and a longer follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Hsiang Chen
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (T.-Y.C.); (Y.-L.W.); (T.-H.J.); (C.-P.Y.); (I.-J.H.)
| | - Tsung-Yen Chang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (T.-Y.C.); (Y.-L.W.); (T.-H.J.); (C.-P.Y.); (I.-J.H.)
| | - Yi-Lun Wang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (T.-Y.C.); (Y.-L.W.); (T.-H.J.); (C.-P.Y.); (I.-J.H.)
| | - En-Pei Lee
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (E.-P.L.); (J.-J.L.)
| | - Jainn-Jim Lin
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (E.-P.L.); (J.-J.L.)
| | - Yi-Wen Hsiao
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
| | - Tang-Her Jaing
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (T.-Y.C.); (Y.-L.W.); (T.-H.J.); (C.-P.Y.); (I.-J.H.)
| | - Chao-Ping Yang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (T.-Y.C.); (Y.-L.W.); (T.-H.J.); (C.-P.Y.); (I.-J.H.)
| | - Iou-Jih Hung
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan; (T.-Y.C.); (Y.-L.W.); (T.-H.J.); (C.-P.Y.); (I.-J.H.)
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Whitehurst DA, Friedman DL, Zhao Z, Sarma A, Snyder E, Dulek DE, Banerjee R, Kitko CL, Esbenshade AJ. A comprehensive assessment of the prolonged febrile neutropenia evaluation in pediatric oncology patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30818. [PMID: 38110594 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric oncology patients with prolonged (≥96 hours) febrile neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count < 500/μL) often undergo an evaluation for invasive fungal disease (IFD) and other infections. Current literature suggests that beta-D-glucan (BDG), galactomannan, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and computed tomography (CT) scans (sinus, chest, and abdomen/pelvis) may help determine a diagnosis in this population. METHODS In a retrospective cohort study of all cancer/stem cell transplant patients (diagnosed 2005-2019) from one pediatric hospital, all episodes with prolonged febrile neutropenia or IFD evaluations (defined as sending a fungal biomarker or performing a CT scan to assess for infection) were identified. RESULTS In total, 503 episodes met inclusion criteria and 64% underwent IFD evaluations. In total, 36.4% of episodes documented an infection after initiation of prolonged febrile evaluation, most commonly Clostridioides difficile colitis (6.4%) followed by a true bacterial bloodstream infection (BSI) (5.2%), proven/probable IFD (4.8%), and positive respiratory pathogen panel (3.6%). There was no difference in sinus CTs showing sinusitis (74% vs 63%, p = 0.46), whereas 32% of abdomen/pelvis CTs led to a non-IFD diagnosis, and 25% of chest CTs showed possible pneumonia. On chest CT, the positive predictive value (PPV) for IFD was 19% for nodules and 14% for tree and bud lesions. BDG had a PPV of 25% for IFD and GM 50%. BAL diagnosed IFD once and pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia twice. CONCLUSIONS Chest CTs and abdomen/pelvis CTs provide clinically relevant information during the prolonged febrile neutropenia evaluation, whereas BDG, galactomannan, BAL, and sinus CTs have less certain utility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Debra L Friedman
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Zhiguo Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Asha Sarma
- Department of Radiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Elizabeth Snyder
- Department of Radiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Daniel E Dulek
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ritu Banerjee
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Carrie L Kitko
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Adam J Esbenshade
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Bochennek K, Hogardt M, Lehrnbecher T. Immune signatures, testing, and management of febrile neutropenia in pediatric cancer patients. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2023; 19:267-277. [PMID: 36635981 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2023.2168646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Infectious complications, particularly invasive bacterial and fungal infections, are still a major cause of morbidity in pediatric cancer patients and are associated with significant mortality. Over the last few years, there has been much effort in defining risk groups to tailor antimicrobial therapy, and in establishing pediatric-specific guidelines for antimicrobial strategies. AREAS COVERED This review provides a critical overview of defining risk groups for infection, diagnostic work-up, antimicrobial prophylaxis, empirical therapy, and treatment of established infections. EXPERT OPINION To date, no generalizable risk prediction model has been established for pediatric cancer patients. There is growing interest in defining the impact of the individual genetic background on infectious complications. New diagnostic tools have been developed over the last few years, but they need to be validated in pediatric cancer patients. International, pediatric-specific guidelines for antimicrobial prophylaxis, empirical therapy, and treatment of established infections have recently been published and will harmonize antimicrobial strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Bochennek
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michael Hogardt
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Lehrnbecher
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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