Development of a multidisciplinary clinic of neurofibromatosis type 1 and other neurocutaneous disorders in Greece. A 3-year experience

Models of care and the advanced practice nurse role in caring for children and adolescents with a cancer predisposition syndrome: a scoping review protocol

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review will examine the literature describing models of care, barriers and facilitators of care, and gaps in care delivery for children and adolescents with a cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS). It will also explore how advanced practice nurses contribute to the delivery of care for children and adolescents with a CPS.

INTRODUCTION

Cancer remains a leading cause of death in children and adolescents. Pediatric CPS clinics proactively aim for early diagnosis or prevention of cancer in children and adolescents with a CPS. Additionally, the holistic well-being of individuals requires a multidisciplinary team, including advanced practice nurses, to manage their complex health care needs.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This review will consider both published and unpublished literature exploring aspects of models of care and the role of the nurse in pediatric CPS clinics. Literature published in English from 1991 onward will be considered.

METHODS

This scoping review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The review will include searches in MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL Complete. Gray literature searches will be conducted in OAIster and Social Science Research Network, as well as websites of hospitals in the USA and the UK with large pediatric cancer centers. Two reviewers will screen titles, abstracts, and full-text articles. An extraction table will be used to extract relevant data from all included articles and facilitate data analysis. Results will be presented in narrative and tabular format.

REVIEW REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework osf.io/axkp7/.

Multidisciplinary Outpatient Clinic of Neurocutaneous Diseases: Five-year Experience of a Pediatric Tertiary Hospital in Portugal

INTRODUCTION

Neurocutaneous syndromes (NCS) are a heterogeneous group of conditions with multiorgan involvement and diverse manifestations, evolving throughout life with significant morbidity. A multidisciplinary approach to NCS patients has been advocated, although a specific model is not yet established. The aim of this study was 1) to describe the organization of the recently created Multidisciplinary Outpatient Clinic of Neurocutaneous Diseases (MOCND) at a Portuguese pediatric tertiary hospital; 2) to share our institutional experience focusing on the most common conditions, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC); 3) to analyze the advantages of a multidisciplinary center and approach in NCS.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 281 patients enrolled in the MOCND over the first five years of activity (October 2016 to December 2021), reviewing genetics, family history, clinical features, complications, and therapeutic strategies for NF1 and TSC.

RESULTS

The clinic works weekly with a core team of pediatricians and pediatric neurologists supported by other specialties as needed. Of the 281 patients enrolled, 224 (79.7%) had identifiable syndromes such as NF1 (n = 105), TSC (n = 35), hypomelanosis of Ito (n = 11), Sturge-Weber syndrome (n = 5), and others. In NF1 patients, 41.0% had a positive family history, all manifested café-au-lait macules, 38.1% neurofibromas with 45.0% being large plexiform neurofibromas. Sixteen were under treatment with selumetinib. Genetic testing was performed in 82.9% of TSC patients with pathogenic variants found in TSC2 gene in 72.4% patients (82.7% if considered contiguous gene syndrome). Family history was positive in 31.4%. All TSC patients presented hypomelanotic macules and fulfilled diagnostic criteria. Fourteen patients were being treated with mTOR inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

Offering a systematic and multidisciplinary approach to NCS patients enables timely diagnosis, promotes a structured follow-up, and encourages discussion to outline management plans for optimal care to every patient, with significant impact on the quality of life of patients and families.

Pediatric Optic Pathway Gliomas: A Report From Northern Greece

Optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) are the most common pediatric optic nerve tumors. Their behavior ranges between rapid growth, stability, or spontaneous regression. Τhey are characterized by low mortality albeit with significant morbidity. We present the characteristics, management, and outcome of 23 OPG patients (16 females, median age: 4.8 y) managed in a Pediatric Oncology Department in Northern Greece over a 25-year period. Overall, 57% had a background of neurofibromatosis type 1. Diagnosis was based on imaging (10 patients) or biopsy (13 patients). Presenting symptoms were mostly visual impairment/squint (52%). Proptosis/exophthalmos, raised intracranial pressure, and headache were also noted. In 2 occasions, it was detected with surveillance magnetic resonance imaging in the context of neurofibromatosis type 1. Eight patients had unilateral and 2 bilateral optic nerve tumors (Modified Dodge Classification, stage 1a/1b), 3 had chiasmatic (stage 2a/b), and 10 had multiple tumors (stage 3/4). Predominant histology was pilocytic astrocytoma (77%). Management included: observation (4), chemotherapy only (9), surgery only (3), or various combinations (7). Chemotherapy regimens included vincristine and carboplatin, vinblastine, or bevacizumab with irinotecan. Most patients demonstrated a slow disease course with complete response/partial response to chemotherapy and/or surgery, whereas 39% presented ≥1 recurrences. After a median follow-up of 8.5 years (range to 19 y), 20 patients (87%) are still alive with stable disease, in partial/complete remission, or on treatment.

Childhood-Onset Refractory Hypertension Results from Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Caused by a Splicing NF1 Mutation

INTRODUCTION

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene that encodes neurofibromin, a negative regulator of RAS proto-oncogene. Approximately one-third of the reported pathogenic mutations in NF1 are splicing mutations, but most consequences are unclear. The objective of this study was to identify the pathogenicity of splicing mutation in a Chinese family with NF-1 and determine the effects of the pre-mRNA splicing mutation by in vitro functional analysis.

METHODS

Next-generation sequencing was used to screen candidate mutations. We performed a minigene splicing assay to determine the effect of the splicing mutation on NF1 expression, and three-dimensional structure models of neurofibromin were generated using SWISS-MODEL and PROCHECK methods, respectively.

RESULTS

A pathogenic splicing mutation c.479+1G>C in NF1 was found in the proband characterized by childhood-onset refractory hypertension. In vitro analysis demonstrated that c.479+1G>C mutation caused the skipping of exon 4, leading to a glutamine-to-valine substitution at position 97 in neurofibromin and an open reading frame shift terminating at codon 108. Protein modeling showed that several major domains were missing in the truncated neurofibromin protein.

CONCLUSION

The splicing mutation c.479+1G>C identified in a Chinese patient with NF-1 and childhood-onset refractory hypertension caused the skipping of exon 4 and a truncated protein. Our findings offer new evidence for the molecular diagnosis of NF-1.

Optic Pathway Glioma in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Multidisciplinary Entity, Posing Dilemmas in Diagnosis and Management Multidisciplinary Management of Optic Pathway Glioma in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Introduction

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) has an incidence of 1 in 2,000 to 3,000 individuals and in 15% is associated with optic pathway glioma (OPG). Given the variability in clinical presentation and related morbidity, a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis and management of children with NF1 and OPG is required, but often lacks coordination and regular information exchange. Herein we summarize our experience and describe the care pathways/network provided by a multidisciplinary team. The role of the distinct team members is elucidated as well as the care amendments made over time.

Methods

We performed a retrospective single-center observational study, including children treated at our institution between 1990 and 2021. Inclusion criteria were clinical diagnosis of NF1, radiographic and/or histopathological diagnosis of OPG and age below 18 years. Patients being treated elsewhere were excluded from the study. Data was abstracted from each child’s health record using a standardized data collection form. Characteristics of children with NF1 and OPG were described using means (SD) and percentages. Outcomes were determined using Kaplan-Meier estimates.

Results

From 1990 to 2021, 1,337 children were followed in our institution. Of those, 195 were diagnosed with OPG (14.6%), including 94 (48.21%) females and 101 (51.79%) males. Comprehensive data were available in 150 patients. The mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 5.31(4.08) years (range: 0.8–17.04 years). Sixty-two (41.3%) patients remained stable and did not undergo treatment, whereas 88 (58.7%) patients required at least one treatment. The mean (SD) duration of follow up was 8.14 (5.46) years (range: 0.1–25.9 years; median 6.8 years). Overall survival was of 23.6 years (±1.08), comprising 5 deaths. A dedicated NF clinic, including pediatricians and a nurse, provides regular follow up and plays a central role in the management of children with NF1, identifying those at risk of OPG, coordinating referrals to Neuroradiology and other specialists as indicated. All children are assessed annually by Ophthalmology. Comprehensive care was provided by a multidisciplinary team consisting of Dermatology, Genetics, Neuro-oncology, Neuroradiology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology and Pediatrics.

Conclusions

The care of children with NF1 and OPG is optimized with a multidisciplinary team approach, coordinated by a central specialty clinic.

Multidisciplinary neurocutaneous syndrome clinics: a systematic review and institutional experience

OBJECTIVE

Neurocutaneous syndromes have variable multisystem involvement. The multiorgan involvement, potential pathologies, and various treatment options necessitate collaboration and open discussion to ensure optimal treatment in any given patient. These disorders provide quintessential examples of chronic medical conditions that require a lifelong, multidisciplinary approach. The objectives of this study were to 1) perform a systematic review, thoroughly assessing different multidisciplinary clinic layouts utilized in centers worldwide; and 2) characterize an institutional experience with the management of these conditions, focusing on the patient demographics, clinical presentation, complications, and therapeutic strategies seen in a patient population.

METHODS

A systematic review of studies involving multidisciplinary clinics and their reported structure was performed according to PRISMA guidelines using the PubMed database. Then a retrospective chart review of patients enrolled in the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Neurocutaneous Syndromes Clinic was conducted.

RESULTS

A search of the PubMed database yielded 251 unique results. Of these, 15 papers were included in the analysis, which identified 16 clinics that treated more than 2000 patients worldwide. The majority of these clinics treated patients with neurofibromatosis (13/16). The remaining clinics treated patients with von Hippel–Lindau syndrome (n = 1), tuberous sclerosis complex (n = 1), and multiple neurocutaneous syndromes (n = 1). The most commonly represented subspecialties in these clinics were genetics (15/16) and neurology (13/16). Five clinics (31%) solely saw pediatric patients, 10 clinics saw a combination of children and adults, and the final clinic had separate pediatric and adult clinics. The retrospective chart review of the Neurocutaneous Syndromes Clinic demonstrated that 164 patients were enrolled and seen in the clinic from April 2013 to December 2021. Diagnoses were made based on clinical findings or results of genetic testing; 115 (70%) had neurofibromatosis type 1, 9 (5.5%) had neurofibromatosis type 2, 35 (21%) had tuberous sclerosis complex, 2 (1%) had von Hippel–Lindau syndrome, 2 (1%) had Gorlin syndrome, and the remaining patient (0.6%) had Aarskog-Scott syndrome. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, complications, and therapeutic strategies are also discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first detailed description of a comprehensive pediatric neurocutaneous clinic in the US that serves patients with multiple syndromes. There is currently heterogeneity between described multidisciplinary clinic structures and practices. More detailed accounts of clinic compositions and practices along with patient data and outcomes are needed in order to establish the most comprehensive and efficient multidisciplinary approach for neurocutaneous syndromes.

Epilepsy in NF1: a systematic review of the literature

Epilepsy is one of the possible neurological manifestations of the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) that represents the most common neurocutaneous disorder. We performed a systematic review of the literature on epilepsy associated with NF1 since 1995 in order to better define prevalence and describe type and causes of seizures. Data on type, nature of studies, number of patients, gender, and inheritance of NF1 were recorded as well as data on causes, type, EEGs, brain imaging, intellectual disability (ID), surgical treatment, and outcome of epilepsy. We identified a total of 141 references through the literature search of Pubmed and Embase. After screening, 42 records were identified, including 11617 individuals with NF1 (53% of males). Overall prevalence was estimated at 5.4% lifelong with values that seemed to be slightly lower in children, 3.7% (p 0.0016). Neither gender differences nor correlation with NF1 inheritance was found. Focal with or without bilateral tonic-clonic seizures were the most common seizure type encountered (60.9%). Structural causes were identified in half of cases (114/226). Low-grade gliomas were the most frequent associated lesions followed by mesial temporal sclerosis, malformation of cortical development, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, and cerebrovascular lesions. In these cases, the surgical approach improved the epileptic outcome. Prevalence of epilepsy is higher in subjects with NF1 respect of the general population, with values apparently significantly lower in pediatric age. Brain tumors and cytoarchitectural abnormalities are the most frequent causes of epilepsy in this population, although many other brain complications should be taken in account.

Role, function and challenges of multidisciplinary centres for rare diseases exemplified for neurofibromatosis type 1 syndrome

PURPOSE

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) syndrome is a common rare/orphan disease that manifests itself early in the paediatric age. It imposes a considerable burden upon patients as well as on caregivers. Decisions regarding optimal care often rely on several medical instances working together as a team.

METHODS

The authors reviewed the literature and supplied a description of their own clinical work at the NF1 centres.

RESULTS

The experience of a multidisciplinary teamwork of three NF centres was summarized in order to enhance awareness for possible multidisciplinary ways of delivery of health and health-related aspects of care to NF1 patients. Both population-focused research centres and family-focused centres were reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic rare diseases that start in the paediatric age mandate long-term follow-up most often by several disciplines. NF1 syndrome is an example of a multidisciplinary centre in order to enhance the quality of care.