Exercise and QUality diet After Leukemia (EQUAL): A randomized weight loss trial among adult survivors of childhood leukemia in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

BACKGROUND

Obesity is prevalent in childhood cancer survivors and interacts with cancer treatments to potentiate risk for cardiovascular (CV) death. We tested a remote weight-loss intervention that was effective among adults with CV risk factors in a cohort of adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with overweight/obesity.

METHODS

In this phase 3 efficacy trial, survivors of ALL enrolled in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study with body mass index (BMI)≥25 kg/m2 were randomized to a remotely-delivered weight-loss intervention versus self-directed weight loss, stratified by history of cranial radiotherapy (CRT). The primary endpoint was the difference in weight loss at 24-months in an intent-to-treat analysis. Analyses were performed using linear mixed effects models.

RESULTS

Among 358 survivors (59% female, median attained age: 37 years, IQR: 33-43), baseline mean (SD) weight was 98.6 kg (24.0) for the intervention group (n=181) and 94.9 kg (20.3) for controls (n=177). Adherence to the intervention was poor; 15% of individuals in the intervention completed 24/30 planned coaching calls. Weight at 24-months was available for 274 (77%) participants. After controlling for CRT, sex, race/ethnicity, and age, the mean (SE) change in weight from baseline to 24-months was -0.4 kg (0.8) for intervention and 0.2 kg (0.6) for control participants (p=0.59).

CONCLUSIONS

A remote weight-loss intervention that was successful among adults with CV conditions did not result in significant weight loss among adult survivors of childhood ALL.

IMPACT

Future interventions in this population must be tailored to the unique needs of survivors to encourage engagement and adherence.

Impact of Risk-Based therapy on late morbidity and mortality in neuroblastoma survivors: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study

BACKGROUND

Early efforts at risk-adapted therapy for neuroblastoma are predicted to result in differential late effects; the magnitude of these differences have not been well-described.

METHODS

Late mortality, subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMN), and severe/life-threatening chronic health conditions (CHCs), graded according to CTCAE v4.03, were assessed among 5-year CCSS survivors of neuroblastoma diagnosed 1987-1999. Using age, stage at diagnosis, and treatment, survivors were classified into risk groups (low [n = 425]; intermediate [n = 252]; high [n = 245]). Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) of SMNs were compared to matched population controls. Cox regression models estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CHC compared to 1,029 CCSS siblings.

RESULTS

Among survivors (49.8% male; median age 21 years, range 7-42; median follow-up 19.3 years, range 5-29.9), 80% with low-risk disease were treated with surgery alone, while 79.1% with high-risk disease received surgery, radiation, chemotherapy ± autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). All-cause mortality was elevated across risk groups (SMRhigh=27.7 [21.4-35.8]; SMRintermediate=3.3 [1.7-6.5]; SMRlow=2.8 [1.7-4.8]). SMN risk was increased among high- and intermediate-risk survivors (SIRhigh=28.0 [18.5-42.3]; SIRintermediate=3.7 [1.2-11.3]), but did not differ from the US population for survivors of low-risk disease. Compared to siblings, survivors had an increased risk of grade 3-5 CHCs, particularly among those with high-risk disease (HRhigh=16.1 [11.2-23.2]; HRintermediate=6.3 [3.8-10.5]; HRlow=1.8 [1.1-3.1]).

CONCLUSION

Survivors of high-risk disease treated in the early days of risk stratification carry a markedly elevated burden of late recurrence, SMN, and organ-related multi-morbidity, while survivors of low/intermediate-risk disease have a modest risk of late adverse outcomes.

Long-Term Morbidity and Mortality Among Survivors of Neuroblastoma Diagnosed During Infancy: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

PURPOSE

To describe the risk of late mortality, subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs), and chronic health conditions (CHCs) in survivors of neuroblastoma diagnosed in infancy by treatment era and exposures.

METHODS

Among 5-year survivors of neuroblastoma in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study diagnosed age < 1 year between 1970 and 1999, we examined the cumulative incidence of late (> 5 years from diagnosis) mortality, SMN, and CHCs (grades 2-5 and 3-5). Multivariable Cox regression models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs by decade and treatment (surgery-alone v chemotherapy with or without surgery [C ± S] v radiation with or without chemotherapy ± surgery [R ± C ± S]) among survivors and between survivors and 5,051 siblings.

RESULTS

Among 1,397 eligible survivors, the 25-year cumulative incidence of late mortality was 2.1% (95% CI, 1.3 to 3.9) with no difference by treatment era. Among 990 participants who completed a baseline survey, fewer survivors received radiation in more recent eras (51.2% 1970s, 20.4% 1980s, and 10.1% 1990s; P < .001). Risk of SMN was elevated only among individuals treated with radiation-containing regimens compared with surgery alone (HR[C ± S], 3.2 [95% CI, 0.9 to 11.6]; HR[R ± C ± S], 5.7 [95% CI, 1.2 to 28.1]). In adjusted models, there was a 50% reduction in risk of grade 3-5 CHCs in the 1990s versus 1970s (HR, 0.5 [95% CI, 0.3 to 0.9]; P = .01); individuals treated with radiation had a 3.6-fold risk for grade 3-5 CHCs (95% CI, 2.1 to 6.2) versus those treated with surgery alone. When compared with siblings, risk of grade 3-5 CHCs for survivors was lowest in the most recent era (HR[1970s], 4.7 [95% CI, 3.4 to 6.5]; HR[1980s], 4.6 [95% CI, 3.3 to 6.4]; HR[1990s], 2.5 [95% CI, 1.7 to 3.9]).

CONCLUSION

Neuroblastoma survivors treated during infancy have a relatively low absolute burden of late mortality and SMN. Encouragingly, risk of CHCs has declined in more recent eras with reduced exposure to radiation therapy.

Germline Genetic and Treatment-Related Risk Factors for Diabetes Mellitus in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study and St Jude Lifetime Cohorts

PURPOSE

To characterize germline genetic risk factors of diabetes mellitus among long-term survivors of childhood cancer.

METHODS

Adult survivors of childhood cancer from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) Original Cohort (n = 5,083; 383 with diabetes) were used to conduct a discovery genome-wide association study. Replication was performed using the CCSS Expansion (n = 2,588; 40 with diabetes) and the St Jude Lifetime (SJLIFE; n = 3,351; 208 with diabetes) cohorts. Risk prediction models, stratified on exposure to abdominal radiation, were calculated using logistic regression including attained age, sex and body mass index, diagnosis, alkylating chemotherapy, age at cancer diagnosis, and a polygenic risk score (PRS) on the basis of 395 diabetes variants from the general population. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated for models on the basis of traditional risk factors, clinical risk factors, and PRS.

RESULTS

There was a genome-wide significant association of rs55849673-A with diabetes among survivors (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% CI, 2.0 to 4.2; P = 3.7 × 10^-8), which is related to expression of ERCC6L2 in the Genotype-Tissue Expression project. The association of rs55849673-A was observed largely among survivors not exposed to abdominal radiation (odds ratio = 3.5, P = 1.1 × 10^-7) and the frequency of rs55849673-A was consistently higher among diabetic survivors in the CCSS Expansion and SJLIFE cohorts. Risk prediction models including traditional diabetes risk factors, clinical risk factors and PRS had an optimism-corrected AUC of 0.801, with an AUC of 0.751 in survivors treated with abdominal radiation versus 0.813 in survivors who did not receive abdominal radiation.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence for a novel locus of diabetes among survivors not exposed to abdominal radiation. Further refinement and validation of clinic-based risk prediction models for diabetes among long-term survivors of childhood cancer is warranted.

Primary hypothyroidism in childhood cancer survivors: Prevalence, risk factors, and long-term consequences

BACKGROUND

Data on primary hypothyroidism and its long-term impact on the health, cognition, and quality of life (QOL) of childhood cancer survivors are limited. This study examined the prevalence of and risk factors for primary hypothyroidism and its associations with physical, neurocognitive, and psychosocial outcomes.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study with a cross-sectional health outcome analysis of an established cohort comprising 2965 survivors of childhood cancer (52.8% male; median current age, 30.9 years, median time since cancer diagnosis, 22.3 years). Multivariable logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between primary hypothyroidism and cancer-related risk factors, cardiovascular disease risk factors, frailty, neurocognitive and QOL outcomes, social attainment, and subsequent thyroid carcinoma. Associations between serum free thyroxine and thyrotropin levels at assessment and health outcomes were explored.

RESULTS

The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism was 14.7% (95% CI, 13.5%-16.0%). It was more likely in females (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.03-1.08), was less likely in non-Whites (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.99), was associated with thyroid radiotherapy (higher risk at higher doses), and was more common if cancer was diagnosed at an age ≥ 15.0 years versus an age < 5 years (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09). Primary hypothyroidism was associated with frailty (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.05-2.26), dyslipidemia (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.14-2.04), impaired physical QOL (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.12-2.48), and having health care insurance (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.07-2.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Primary hypothyroidism is common in survivors and is associated with unfavorable physical health and QOL outcomes. The impact of thyroid hormone replacement practices on these outcomes should be investigated further.

Training in Long-Term Follow-Up: Fellowship in Childhood Cancer Survivorship

Childhood cancer survivors are a growing population with high morbidity and many healthcare needs. As time from treatment lengthens, these patients are more and more likely to be followed in community primary care. Yet, studies suggest that primary care providers are unprepared (although not unwilling) to care for childhood cancer survivors. The 1-year fellowship in childhood cancer survivorship presented herein represents an educational intervention designed to prepare clinical leaders in survivorship. Ultimately, this effort may help address current gaps in care for childhood cancer survivors.

Development and Validation of a Breast Cancer Risk Prediction Model for Childhood Cancer Survivors Treated With Chest Radiation: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study and the Dutch Hodgkin Late Effects and LATER Cohorts

PURPOSE

Women treated with chest radiation for childhood cancer have one of the highest risks of breast cancer. Models producing personalized breast cancer risk estimates applicable to this population do not exist. We sought to develop and validate a breast cancer risk prediction model for childhood cancer survivors treated with chest radiation incorporating treatment-related factors, family history, and reproductive factors.

METHODS

Analyses were based on multinational cohorts of female 5-year survivors of cancer diagnosed younger than age 21 years and treated with chest radiation. Model derivation was based on 1,120 participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study diagnosed between 1970 and 1986, with median attained age 42 years (range 20-64) and 242 with breast cancer. Model validation included 1,027 participants from three cohorts, with median age 32 years (range 20-66) and 105 with breast cancer.

RESULTS

The model included current age, chest radiation field, whether chest radiation was delivered within 1 year of menarche, anthracycline exposure, age at menopause, and history of a first-degree relative with breast cancer. Ten-year risk estimates ranged from 2% to 23% for 30-year-old women (area under the curve, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.73) and from 5% to 34% for 40-year-old women (area under the curve, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.84). The highest risks were among premenopausal women older than age 40 years treated with mantle field radiation within a year of menarche who had a first-degree relative with breast cancer. It showed good calibration with an expected-to-observed ratio of the number of breast cancers of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.74 to 1.16).

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer risk varies among childhood cancer survivors treated with chest radiation. Accurate risk prediction may aid in refining surveillance, counseling, and preventive strategies in this population.

Late morbidity and mortality among survivors of neuroblastoma treated with contemporary therapy: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

10044

Background: Survival rates for neuroblastoma vary widely based on risk group. Therapies have evolved over the past four decades to de-intensify treatment for individuals with low/intermediate risk disease and intensify therapy for those with high risk disease. Risk stratification is predicted to result in differential outcomes in late morbidity and mortality; the magnitude of these differences has not been well studied. Methods: We evaluated late mortality, subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMN) and chronic health conditions (CHC) graded according to CTCAE v4.03 among 491 5-year CCSS survivors of neuroblastoma diagnosed 1987-1999 at ≥1 year of age. Using age, stage at diagnosis, and treatment, survivors were classified into risk groups (low [n=182]; intermediate [n=70]; high [n=239]). Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) of SMN were calculated using rates from NCHS and SEER, respectively. Cox regression models estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CHC compared to 1,029 CCSS siblings. Results: Among survivors (48% male; median age 22 years, range 7-42; median follow-up 19 years, range 5-29), 80.4% with low risk disease were treated with surgery alone, while 77.8% with high risk disease received surgery, radiation, chemotherapy ± transplant. The 15-year cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was 9.2% (CI: 7.1-11.4), with a recurrence-related mortality of 7.3% (CI: 5.3-9.3) and SMN-related mortality of 0.3% (CI: 0-0.7). All-cause mortality was significantly higher in all risk groups: (low, SMR=5.8 [CI: 2.6-13.0]; intermediate, SMR=5.7 [CI: 1.4-23.5]; high, SMR=38.6 [CI: 27.9-53.5]). The risk of SMN was elevated among high risk survivors (SIR=25.1, CI: 16.7-37.6), but did not differ from the US population for survivors of low or intermediate risk disease. Table describes the HR of CHCs (grades 1-5 and 3-5) in survivors, by risk group, as compared with siblings, as well as categories of CHCs for which survivors were at increased risk. Conclusions: Long-term survivors of neuroblastoma have a high risk of late morbidity and mortality; risk is particularly pronounced among survivors of high risk disease. Vigilant lifelong medical surveillance will be required for this relatively young population as they age.[Table: see text]

Exercise and QUality diet After Leukemia (The EQUAL Study): An intervention trial in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS)

10015

Background: Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk for obesity and cardiovascular (CV) disease. Exposure to cranial radiotherapy (CRT) increases risks. We tested whether a weight loss intervention that was successful in the general population could result in weight loss or improvements CV risk factors for ALL survivors. Methods: Obese and overweight 5-year ALL survivors diagnosed < age 21 from CCSS were randomized to a 24-month remotely delivered diet/physical activity intervention or self-directed weight loss (control), stratified by CRT. The intervention emphasized a low calorie DASH diet and physical activity via an app, a website, and weekly coach calls. The primary endpoint was difference in weight loss after 24 months, using an intent-to-treat analysis. Secondary endpoints: differences in changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Analyses were performed using linear mixed effects; the study was designed to detect a difference of 2.75 kg. Results: Of 358 survivors (59% female, 91% White non-Hispanic, median age 37, IQR: 33-43), 181 were randomized to the intervention and 177 to control. Baseline mean (SD) weight was 98.6 kg (24.0) for intervention and 94.9 kg (20.3) for controls. 55 (30%) of intervention participants were adherent beyond one year. At 12 months, after controlling for CRT, sex, race/ethnicity, and age, the adjusted mean (SE) change in weight from baseline was -1.83kg (0.7) for intervention and -0.16kg (0.64) for control participants. At 24 months, the adjusted mean (SE) change in weight was -0.36kg (0.78) for intervention and +0.18kg (0.66) for control participants with the average difference of -0.54 kg (95%CI: -2.5,1.5, p=0.59) between the arms. A small proportion had at least 5% weight loss at 24 months (intervention 24%; control 17%). No significant differences in CV risk factors were observed. Conclusions: A 24-month phone and app/web-based diet and physical activity intervention that was successful for weight loss in the general population did not result in greater weight loss or improvement in CV risk factors among adult survivors of childhood ALL. Reduced adherence to the intervention beyond 12 months, or lack of ALL survivor-specific tailoring, may account for these findings. Clinical trial information: NCT02244411. [Table: see text]

Genetic and treatment risks for diabetes mellitus (DM) in survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) and St. Jude Lifetime (SJLIFE) cohorts

10014

Background: Childhood cancer survivors face increased risk for DM, a polygenic trait also attributable to cancer treatment exposures, particularly abdominal radiation. We aimed to characterize the role of genetic and treatment risk factors for DM among two large cohorts of childhood cancer survivors. Methods: We performed a nested case-control genome-wide association study for DM managed with oral medications in the original CCSS cohort (diagnosed 1970-1986). Logistic regression was conducted in the total sample (N = 5083) and stratified by 1) European ancestry (EA) and 2) abdominal radiation. Replication of suggestive variants (P < 1×10-7) using Fisher’s exact test was performed in independent cohorts: i) CCSS expansion diagnosed 1987-1999 (N = 2588) and ii) SJLIFE diagnosed 1962-2012 (N = 2182). To evaluate the effect of cancer treatment on the background genetic predisposition to DM, we estimated standardized effect sizes (Z’) among EA survivors in each abdominal radiation group for 398 index variants from the largest population-based EA DM study. Radiation group Z’ estimates were compared using linear regression. Results: In the original CCSS cohort we identified nine variants associated with DM and provide further support for four linked variants in the ERCC6L2 locus. Among all survivors, the rs55849673-A allele was associated with increased odds for DM among survivors in the original CCSS cohort (minor allele frequency [MAF]-cases = 0.055; MAF-controls = 0.024; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.9, 95% CI: 2.0-4.2, P = 3.7×10-8). Allele frequencies were consistent in the CCSS expansion (MAF-cases = 0.075; MAF-controls = 0.028; P = 0.07) and SJLIFE (MAF-cases = 0.036; MAF-controls = 0.027; P = 0.5). Additionally, rs55849673-A estimates were consistent among EA survivors and stronger among survivors not treated with abdominal radiation (MAF-cases = 0.052; MAF-controls = 0.021; aOR = 3.6, P = 1.6×10-6). Notably, in the CCSS expansion all rs55849673-A EA carriers who developed DM did not receive abdominal radiation (MAF-cases = 0.1; MAF-controls = 0.026; P = 0.04). More broadly, the Z’ of population-based DM index variants were 78% lower in survivors treated with abdominal radiation than survivors not treated with abdominal radiation (beta = 0.22; P = 0.01), indicating the background genetic risk for DM may be altered by treatment. Conclusions: We provide evidence for a novel locus of DM in childhood cancer survivors. This locus is a regulatory region associated with expression of ERCC6L2, a gene implicated in an East Asian population-based DM study. Taken together, our findings support the overwhelming effect of abdominal radiation on DM risk in childhood cancer survivors, relative to other risk factors, and provide insight on a genetic locus that may be useful for DM risk prediction in the context of cancer treatment.

General cancer screening practices among adult survivors of retinoblastoma: Results from the Retinoblastoma Survivor Study

We assessed breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening practices in adult retinoblastoma (Rb) survivors and non-Rb controls. We found that most Rb survivors adhered to general population cancer screening recommendations. Rates did not differ among Rb survivors and non-Rb controls, or among survivors by laterality, even though bilateral survivors reported higher levels of concern about future health and cancer risk. Older age, being overweight/obese, and lack of recent contact with medical personnel were independently associated with decreased utilization of Pap smear among female Rb survivors. Future studies are warranted to determine whether these associations might provide an opportunity for intervention.

Genome-wide Association Studies Reveal Novel Locus With Sex-/Therapy-Specific Fracture Risk Effects in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Childhood cancer survivors treated with radiation therapy (RT) and osteotoxic chemotherapies are at increased risk for fractures. However, understanding of how genetic and clinical susceptibility factors jointly contribute to fracture risk among survivors is limited. To address this gap, we conducted genome-wide association studies of fracture risk after cancer diagnosis in 2453 participants of European ancestry from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) with 930 incident fractures using Cox regression models (ie, time-to-event analysis) and prioritized sex- and treatment-stratified genetic associations. We performed replication analyses in 1417 survivors of European ancestry with 652 incident fractures from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE). In discovery, we identified a genome-wide significant (p < 5 × 10^-8 ) fracture risk locus, 16p13.3 (HAGHL), among female CCSS survivors (n = 1289) with strong evidence of sex-specific effects (p_{sex-heterogeneity}  < 7 × 10^-6 ). Combining discovery and replication data, rs1406815 showed the strongest association (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.43, p = 8.2 × 10^-9 ; n = 1935 women) at this locus. In treatment-stratified analyses in the discovery cohort, the association between rs1406815 and fracture risk among female survivors with no RT exposures was weak (HR = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-1.57, p = 0.11) but increased substantially among those with greater head/neck RT doses (any RT: HR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.54-2.28, p = 2.4 × 10^-10 ; >36 Gray only: HR = 3.79, 95% CI 1.95-7.34, p = 8.2 × 10^-5 ). These head/neck RT-specific HAGHL single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effects were replicated in female SJLIFE survivors. In silico bioinformatics analyses suggest these fracture risk alleles regulate HAGHL gene expression and related bone resorption pathways. Genetic risk profiles integrating this locus may help identify female survivors who would benefit from targeted interventions to reduce fracture risk. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Impact of Risk-Adapted Therapy for Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma on Risk of Long-Term Morbidity: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence of serious chronic health conditions among survivors of pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), compare by era of therapy and by selected cancer therapies, and provide estimates of risks associated with contemporary therapy.

METHODS

Assessing 2,996 5-year HL survivors in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study diagnosed from 1970 to 1999, we examined the cumulative incidence of severe to fatal chronic conditions (grades 3-5) using self-report conditions, medically confirmed subsequent malignant neoplasms, and cause of death based on the National Death Index. We used multivariable regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) per decade and by key treatment exposures.

RESULTS

HL survivors were of a mean age of 35.6 years (range, 12-58 years). The cumulative incidence of any grade 3-5 condition by 35 years of age was 31.4% (95% CI, 29.2 to 33.5). Females were twice as likely (HR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.8 to 2.4) to have a grade 3-5 condition compared with males. From the 1970s to the 1990s, there was a 20% reduction (HR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.7 to 0.9) in decade-specific risk of a grade 3-5 condition (P trend = .002). In survivors who had a recurrence and/or hematopoietic cell transplant, the risk of a grade 3-5 condition was substantially elevated, similar to that of survivors treated with high-dose, extended-field radiotherapy (HR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.9 to 1.5). Compared with survivors treated with chest radiotherapy ≥ 35 Gy in combination with an anthracycline or alkylator, a contemporary regimen for low-intermediate risk HL was estimated to lead to a 40% reduction in risk of a grade 3-5 condition (HR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4 to 0.8).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that risk-adapted therapy for pediatric HL has resulted in a significant reduction in serious long-term outcomes.

Radiation Dose and Volume to the Pancreas and Subsequent Risk of Diabetes Mellitus: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

BACKGROUND

Childhood cancer survivors exposed to abdominal radiation (abdRT) are at increased risk for diabetes mellitus, but the association between risk and radiation dose and volume is unclear.

METHODS

Participants included 20 762 5-year survivors of childhood cancer (4568 exposed to abdRT) and 4853 siblings. For abdRT, we estimated maximum dose to abdomen; mean doses for whole pancreas, pancreatic head, body, tail; and percent pancreas volume receiving no less than 10, 20, and 30 Gy. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated with a Poisson model using generalized estimating equations, adjusted for attained age. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Survivors exposed to abdRT (median age = 31.6 years, range = 10.2-58.3 years) were 2.92-fold more likely than siblings (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.02 to 4.23) and 1.60-times more likely than survivors not exposed to abdRT (95%CI = 1.24 to 2.05) to develop diabetes. Among survivors treated with abdRT, greater attained age (RRper 10 years = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.70 to 2.62), higher body mass index (RRBMI 30+ = 5.00, 95% CI = 3.19 to 7.83 with referenceBMI 18.5-24.9), and increasing pancreatic tail dose were associated with increased diabetes risk in a multivariable model; an interaction was identified between younger age at cancer diagnosis and pancreatic tail dose with much higher diabetes risk associated with increasing pancreatic tail dose among those diagnosed at the youngest ages (P < .001). Radiation dose and volume to other regions of the pancreas were not statistically significantly associated with risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Among survivors treated with abdRT, diabetes risk was associated with higher pancreatic tail dose, especially at younger ages. Targeted interventions are needed to improve cardiometabolic health among those at highest risk.

Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Individual Prediction of Cardiovascular Events in Childhood Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND

Childhood cancer survivors have an increased risk of heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. They may benefit from prediction models that account for cardiotoxic cancer treatment exposures combined with information on traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes.

METHODS

Childhood Cancer Survivor Study participants (n = 22 643) were followed through age 50 years for incident heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. Siblings (n = 5056) served as a comparator. Participants were assessed longitudinally for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes based on self-reported prescription medication use. Half the cohort was used for discovery; the remainder for replication. Models for each outcome were created for survivors ages 20, 25, 30, and 35 years at the time of prediction (n = 12 models).

RESULTS

For discovery, risk scores based on demographic, cancer treatment, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes information achieved areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve and concordance statistics 0.70 or greater in 9 and 10 of the 12 models, respectively. For replication, achieved areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve and concordance statistics 0.70 or greater were observed in 7 and 9 of the models, respectively. Across outcomes, the most influential exposures were anthracycline chemotherapy, radiotherapy, diabetes, and hypertension. Survivors were then assigned to statistically distinct risk groups corresponding to cumulative incidences at age 50 years of each target outcome of less than 3% (moderate-risk) or approximately 10% or greater (high-risk). Cumulative incidence of all outcomes was 1% or less among siblings.

CONCLUSIONS

Traditional cardiovascular risk factors remain important for predicting risk of cardiovascular disease among adult-age survivors of childhood cancer. These prediction models provide a framework on which to base future surveillance strategies and interventions.

Utilization of clinical genetic counseling among childhood and young adult cancer survivors in a registry trial

We describe utilization of clinical genetic services among survivors of childhood and young adult cancer after participation in a genetic registry. Clinical genetic counselors flagged 162 out of 1069 pedigrees (15.2%) as suggestive of inheritable cancer susceptibility, resulting in 126 (11.8%) referral letters. Following delivery of the referral letters, 19 (15.1%) participants completed clinical genetic counseling, 16 (12.7%) received testing, and four (3.2%) were found to have actionable results. Our results suggest a discordance between reported willingness to undergo genetic counseling and real-world utilization.

Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging as surveillance for subsequent malignancies in preadolescent, adolescent, and young adult survivors of germline retinoblastoma: An update

BACKGROUND

Germline retinoblastoma (Rb) survivors are at lifelong risk for developing subsequent malignancies (SMNs). Optimal surveillance modalities are needed to detect SMN at an early stage in this high-risk cohort. We investigated the use of rapid whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) as a noninvasive screening modality in this cohort.

PROCEDURE

WB-MRI was performed in asymptomatic preadolescent, adolescent, or young adult survivors of germline Rb from February 1, 2008 to December 31, 2018 at a tertiary cancer center. We calculated sensitivity and specificity of WB-MRI and rate of false-positive findings requiring additional evaluation.

RESULTS

Overall, 110 WB-MRI were performed in 47 germline Rb survivors (51% female; median age at initial WB-MRI: 15.5 years [range 8-25.3]). Patients received 1-10 annual WB-MRI examinations (median: two). Thirteen patients had an abnormal WB-MRI; three findings were deemed to be likely benign and were not evaluated further. Ten patients required dedicated imaging and three required biopsy; two patients were diagnosed with localized high-grade osteosarcoma, while the other eight had benign findings. One patient was diagnosed with secondary osteosarcoma 3 months after normal WB-MRI. In total, there were 96 true negatives, 11 false positives, two true positives, and one false negative. The sensitivity of WB-MRI in this cohort was 66.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.2-96.0) and the specificity was 89.7% (95% CI, 83.6-93.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our 10-year experience, surveillance WB-MRI appears to have limited utility as a surveillance modality for SMN in germline Rb survivors. Alternate screening modalities should be investigated.

Late morbidity and mortality in adult survivors of childhood glioma with neurofibromatosis type 1: report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

Purpose

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is associated with tumor predisposition and non-malignant health conditions. Whether survivors of childhood cancer with NF1 are at increased risk for poor long-term health outcomes is unknown.

Methods

147 5+ year survivors of childhood glioma with NF1 from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study were compared to 2 629 non-NF1 glioma survivors and 5 051 siblings for late mortality, chronic health conditions, psychosocial, neurocognitive, and socioeconomic outcomes.

Results

Survivors with NF1 (age at diagnosis: 6.8±4.8 years) had greater cumulative incidence of late mortality 30 years after diagnosis (46.3%[95% confidence interval: 23.9%−62.2%]) compared to non-NF1 survivors (18.0%[16.1%−20.0%]) and siblings (0.9%[0.6%−1.2%]), largely due to subsequent neoplasms. Compared to survivors without NF1, those with NF1 had more severe/life-threatening chronic conditions at cohort entry (46.3%[38.1%−54.4%] vs. 30.8%[29.1%−32.6%]), but similar rates of new conditions during follow-up (Rate Ratio: 1.26 [0.90–1.77]). Survivors with NF1 were more likely to report psychosocial impairments, neurocognitive deficits, and socioeconomic difficulties compared to survivors without NF1.

Conclusion

Late mortality among glioma survivors with NF1 is twice that of other survivors, due largely to subsequent malignancies. Screening, prevention and early intervention for chronic health conditions, psychosocial and neurocognitive deficits may reduce long-term morbidity in this vulnerable population.

HAGHL genetic variants increase first fracture risk (FFR) in female childhood cancer survivors: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) and St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE)

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Background: Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported substantial sex differences in the genetic architectures of bone-related phenotypes. We investigated sex-specific genetic determinants of FFR in survivors of childhood cancer. Methods: We performed sex-combined and sex-stratified GWAS for FFR using Cox regression models fitted on follow-up age in 2,453 long-term (≥5 years) survivors in CCSS with ~5.4 million imputed SNPs (minor allele frequency, MAF≥5%), with self-reported FFR defined by first fracture at any site after diagnosis. Replication analyses were conducted in an independent sample of 1,417 SJLIFE survivors with whole-genome sequencing and clinician-assessed FFR. All models were adjusted for relevant genetic (e.g., ancestry) and clinical (e.g., height, weight, treatment) factors. Results: Sex-combined and male-specific analyses yielded no associations with P < 10−7. Among female CCSS survivors (N = 1,289, 33% ≥1 fractures), we discovered 7 genome-wide significant (P < 5x10−8) SNP-FFR associations with strong evidence of sex effect heterogeneity (P < 7x10−6) across 2 independent loci with no known associations with bone phenotypes. We replicated these associations in SJLIFE (P≤0.05) for 3 coding SNPs in the HAGHL gene (16p13.3), among which rs1406815 showed the strongest association (MAF = 20%, meta-analysis HR = 1.43, P = 8.2x10−9; N = 1,935 women, 35% ≥1 fractures). We observed increased HAGHL SNP effects on FFR that corresponded with increasing head/neck (HN) radiation therapy (RT) dose (Table). Public omics data show replicated SNPs are associated with differential HAGHL expression in sex gland and musculoskeletal tissues (GTEx) and in osteoblasts treated with dexamethasone or prostaglandins (GRASP), suggesting sex-/therapy-specific biological pathways involving HAGHL SNPs for fracture are plausible. Conclusions: Novel associations between HAGHL genetic variants and FFR potentially reveal new sex- and therapy-specific biological mechanisms underlying bone-related health conditions in survivors of childhood cancer. [Table: see text]

Association of GSTM1 null variant with anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy after childhood cancer-A Children's Oncology Group ALTE03N1 report

BACKGROUND

Anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of late morbidity in childhood cancer survivors. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a class of phase II detoxification enzymes that facilitate the elimination of anthracyclines. As free-radical scavengers, GSTs could play a role in oxidative damage-induced cardiomyopathy. Associations between the GSTμ1 (GSTM1) null genotype and iron-overload-related cardiomyopathy have been reported in patients with thalassemia.

METHODS

The authors sought to identify an association between the GSTM1 null genotype and anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy in childhood cancer survivors and to corroborate the association by examining GSTM1 gene expression in peripheral blood and human-induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) from survivors with and without cardiomyopathy. GSTM1 gene deletion was examined by polymerase chain reaction in 75 survivors who had clinically validated cardiomyopathy (cases) and in 92 matched survivors without cardiomyopathy (controls). Conditional logistic regression analysis adjusting for sex, age at cancer diagnosis, chest radiation, and anthracycline dose was used to assess the association between genotype and cardiomyopathy. Proprietary bead array technology and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to measure GSTM1 expression levels in samples from 20 cases and 20 matched controls. hiPSC-CMs from childhood cancer survivors (3 with cardiomyopathy, 3 without cardiomyopathy) also were examined for GSTM1 gene expression levels.

RESULTS

A significant association was observed between the risk of cardiomyopathy and the GSTM1 null genotype (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.9; P = .007). There was significant downregulation of GSTM1 expression in cases compared with controls (average relative expression, 0.67 ± 0.57 vs 1.33 ± 1.33, respectively; P = .049). hiPSC-CMs from patients who had cardiomyopathy revealed reduced GSTM1 expression (P = .007).

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings could facilitate the identification of childhood cancer survivors who are at risk for anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy.

Late mortality and chronic health conditions in long-term survivors of early-adolescent and young adult cancers: a retrospective cohort analysis from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

BACKGROUND

Treatment outcomes among survivors of cancer diagnosed during adolescence and early young adulthood have not been characterised independently of survivors of cancers diagnosed during childhood. We aimed to describe chronic health conditions and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among survivors of early-adolescent and young adult cancer.

METHODS

The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) is a retrospective cohort study with longitudinal follow-up of 5-year survivors diagnosed with cancer before the age of 21 years at 27 academic institutions in the USA and Canada between 1970 and 1999. We evaluated outcomes among survivors of early-adolescent and young adult cancer (aged 15-20 years at diagnosis) and survivors diagnosed at age younger than 15 years (matched on primary cancer diagnosis, including leukaemia, lymphoma, CNS tumours, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumour, soft-tissue sarcomas, and bone cancer) by comparing both groups to siblings of the same age. Mortality was ascertained with the National Death Index. Chronic health conditions were classified with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were estimated with age-specific, sex-specific, and calendar year-specific US rates. Cox proportional hazard models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for chronic health conditions and 95% CIs.

FINDINGS

Among 5804 early-adolescent and young adult survivors (median age 42 years, IQR 34-50) the SMR compared to the general population for all-cause mortality was 5·9 (95% CI 5·5-6·2) and among 5804 childhood cancer survivors (median age 34 years; 27-42), it was 6·2 (5·8-6·6). Early-adolescent and young adult survivors had lower SMRs for death from health-related causes (ie, conditions that exclude recurrence or progression of the primary cancer and external causes, but include the late effects of cancer therapy) than did childhood cancer survivors (SMR 4·8 [95% CI 4·4-5·1] vs 6·8 [6·2-7·4]), which was primarily evident more than 20 years after cancer diagnosis. Early-adolescent and young adult cancer survivors and childhood cancer survivors were both at greater risk of developing severe and disabling, life-threatening, or fatal (grade 3-5) health conditions than siblings of the same age (HR 4·2 [95% CI 3·7-4·8] for early adolescent and young adult cancer survivors and 5·6 [4·9-6·3] for childhood cancer survivors), and at increased risk of developing grade 3-5 cardiac (4·3 [3·5-5·4] and 5·6 [4·5-7·1]), endocrine (3·9 [2·9-5·1] and 6·4 [5·1-8·0]), and musculoskeletal conditions (6·5 [3·9-11·1] and 8·0 [4·6-14·0]) when compared with siblings of the same age, although all these risks were lower for early-adolescent and young adult survivors than for childhood cancer survivors.

INTERPRETATION

Early-adolescent and young adult cancer survivors had higher risks of mortality and severe and life threatening chronic health conditions than the general population. However, early-adolescent and young adult cancer survivors had lower non-recurrent, health-related SMRs and relative risks of developing grade 3-5 chronic health conditions than childhood cancer survivors, by comparison with siblings of the same age, which were most notable more than 20 years after their original cancer. These results highlight the need for long-term screening of both childhood and early-adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

FUNDING

National Cancer Institute and American Lebanese-Syrian Associated Charities.

Childhood Cancer Treatments and Associated Endocrine Late Effects: A Concise Guide for the Pediatric Endocrinologist

Endocrine complications are frequently observed in childhood cancer survivors (CCS); in many instances, these complications develop months to years after the completion of cancer therapy. The estimated prevalence of endocrine late effects is 50% among CCS; the main risk factors are external beam radiation that includes key endocrine organs (the hypothalamus/pituitary, thyroid and gonads) and/or alkylating agents. Novel agents targeting tumor growth have increased the options available to a small number of patients albeit with the need for treatment over long periods of time. Some of these agents, such as certain tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune system modulators have been shown to cause permanent endocrine deficits. This chapter offers a brief summary of the conventional treatment strategies for the most common cancers of childhood and a brief overview of the endocrine late effects most commonly associated with these exposures. The impact of targeted therapies on the endocrine system will also be discussed. The aim of this chapter is to provide basic guidance to the consulting pediatric endocrinologist in preparation for the clinical encounter with a CCS. A more detailed discussion of the management of specific endocrine late effects can be found in the other chapters in this series.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disorders in Childhood Cancer Survivors: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Long-Term Health Outcomes

CONTEXT

Data on hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) disorders in systematically evaluated childhood cancer survivors are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To describe prevalence, risk factors, and associated adverse health outcomes of deficiencies in GH deficiency (GHD), TSH deficiency (TSHD), LH/FSH deficiency (LH/FSHD), and ACTH deficiency (ACTHD), and central precocious puberty (CPP).

DESIGN

Retrospective with cross-sectional health outcomes analysis.

SETTING

Established cohort; tertiary care center.

PATIENTS

Participants (N = 3141; median age, 31.7 years) were followed for a median 24.1 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate ORs and 95% CIs for associations among HP disorders, tumor- and treatment-related risk factors, and health outcomes.

RESULTS

The estimated prevalence was 40.2% for GHD, 11.1% for TSHD, 10.6% for LH/FSHD, 3.2% for ACTHD, and 0.9% for CPP among participants treated with HP radiotherapy (n = 1089), and 6.2% for GHD, and <1% for other HP disorders without HP radiotherapy. Clinical factors independently associated with HP disorders included HP radiotherapy (at any dose for GHD, TSHD, LH/FSHD, >30 Gy for ACTHD), alkylating agents (GHD, LH/FSHD), intrathecal chemotherapy (GHD), hydrocephalus with shunt placement (GHD, LH/FSHD), seizures (TSHD, ACTHD), and stroke (GHD, TSHD, LH/FSHD, ACTHD). Adverse health outcomes independently associated with HP disorders included short stature (GHD, TSHD), severe bone mineral density deficit (GHD, LH/FSHD), obesity (LH/FSHD), frailty (GHD), impaired physical health-related quality of life (TSHD), sexual dysfunction (LH/FSHD), impaired memory, and processing speed (GHD, TSHD).

CONCLUSION

HP radiotherapy, central nervous system injury, and, to a lesser extent, chemotherapy are associated with HP disorders, which are associated with adverse health outcomes.

Assessment of pulmonary outcomes, exercise capacity, and longitudinal changes in lung function in pediatric survivors of high-risk neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Survivors of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) are exposed to multimodality therapies early in life and confront late therapy-related toxicities. This study assessed respiratory symptoms, exercise capacity, and longitudinal changes in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) among survivors.

DESIGN/METHODS

Survivors of high-risk NB followed in the long-term follow-up clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center were enrolled. Symptom and physical activity questionnaires were completed. Medical records were reviewed for treatments and comorbidities. Participants completed spirometry, plethysmography, diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, 6-minute walk tests (6MWTs), and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Questionnaires and PFTs were repeated at least one year after enrollment.

RESULTS

Sixty-two survivors participated (median age at study: 10.92 years; median age at diagnosis: 2.75 years; median time since completion of therapy: 5.29 years). Thirty-two percent had chronic respiratory symptoms. Seventy-seven percent had PFT abnormalities, mostly mild to moderate severity. Thirty-three completed 6MWTs (median, 634.3 meters); eight completed cardiopulmonary exercise tests (mean VO₂ max: 63% predicted); 23 completed a second PFT revealing declines over a median 2.97 years (mean percent predicted forced vital capacity: 79.9 to 70.0; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second: 81.6 to 69.9). Risks for abnormalities included thoracic surgery, chest radiation therapy (RT), thoracic surgery plus chest RT, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of survivors of high-risk NB, PFT abnormalities were common but mostly mild or moderate. Maximal exercise capacity may be affected by respiratory limitations and declines in lung function may occur over time. Continued pulmonary surveillance of this at-risk population is warranted.

Vision-Targeted Health-Related Quality of Life in Adult Survivors of Retinoblastoma

Importance

Retinoblastoma survivors are at risk for adverse oculo-visual outcomes. Limited data are available regarding long-term vision-targeted health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult retinoblastoma survivors.

Objective

To examine vision-targeted HRQoL as reported on the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Field Questionnaire for overall and specific scale scores among adult survivors of retinoblastoma.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Retinoblastoma Survivor Study is a retrospective cohort of adult retinoblastoma survivors treated at 3 academic medical centers in New York between 1932 and 1994. Participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire between April 2008 and June 2010. Items were scored in January 2013 and preliminary analyses were performed in July 2015. Models were finalized in May 2017.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Self-reported vision-targeted HRQoL as reported on the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Field Questionnaire. Items are scored from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the highest quality of life.

Results

Among 470 adult retinoblastoma survivors (53.6% with bilateral disease; 52.1% female; 86.4% white and non-Hispanic; mean age at study, 43.3 years; range, 18.0-77.0 years), 86% had at least 1 eye removed (1 eye, 74.5%; both eyes, 11.5%); 56.5% were previously treated with radiotherapy; and 61.3% rated their eyesight as excellent/good while 16.2% reported complete blindness. The overall mean (SD) VFQ composite score for all survivors was 81.1 (17.2) (mean [SD] score for unilateral retinoblastoma survivors, 91.4 [7.7]; bilateral retinoblastoma survivors, 72.3 [18.2]; difference between survivors with unilateral and bilateral disease, 19.1 [95% CI, 16.5-21.7; P < .001]). Prior exposure to radiotherapy was not associated with decreased overall VFQ (β = -0.08; 95% CI, -0.15 to 0.002; P = .06) but was related to a few specific subdomains of visual functioning.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest retinoblastoma-related oculo-visual problems are associated with functional status and vision-targeted HRQoL of adult survivors, particularly among those with bilateral disease.

Leydig Cell Function in Male Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the St Jude Lifetime Cohort Study

PURPOSE

Direct assessment of Leydig cell function in childhood cancer survivors has been limited. The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of and risk factors for Leydig cell failure (LCF), Leydig cell dysfunction (LCD), and associated adverse health outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study with cross-sectional health outcomes analysis, we evaluated 1,516 participants (median age, 30.8 years) at a median of 22.0 years after cancer diagnosis. LCF was defined as serum total testosterone less than 250 ng/dL (or 8.67 nmol/L) and luteinizing hormone greater than 9.85 IU/L, and LCD by testosterone as 250 ng/dL or greater and luteinizing hormone greater than 9.85 IU/L. Polytomous logistic regression evaluated associations with demographic and treatment-related risk factors. Log-binomial regression evaluated associations with adverse physical and psychosocial outcomes. Piecewise exponential models assessed the association with all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

The prevalence of LCF and LCD was 6.9% and 14.7%, respectively. Independent risk factors for LCF included an age of 26 years or older at assessment, testicular radiotherapy at any dose, and alkylating agents at cyclophosphamide equivalent doses of 4,000 mg/m² or greater. The risk increased with older age, higher doses of testicular radiotherapy, and cyclophosphamide equivalent doses. LCF was significantly associated with abdominal obesity, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, muscle weakness, and all-cause mortality. LCD was associated with unilateral orchiectomy and the same risk factors as LCF; no significant associations were found with adverse physical or psychosocial outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Older age, testicular radiotherapy, and exposure to alkylating agents were associated with LCF, which was associated with adverse physical and psychosexual outcomes. LCD, although having similar risk factors, was not associated with adverse health outcomes. Additional studies are needed to investigate the role of sex hormone replacement in mitigating the burden from adverse outcomes in survivors.

A High-risk Haplotype for Premature Menopause in Childhood Cancer Survivors Exposed to Gonadotoxic Therapy

Background

Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk of therapy-related premature menopause (PM), with a cumulative incidence of 8.0%, but the contribution of genetic factors is unknown.

Methods

Genome-wide association analyses were conducted to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with clinically diagnosed PM (menopause < 40 years) among 799 female survivors of childhood cancer participating in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE). Analyses were adjusted for cyclophosphamide equivalent dose of alkylating agents and ovarian radiotherapy (RT) dose (all P values two-sided). Replication was performed using self-reported PM in 1624 survivors participating in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS).

Results

PM was clinically diagnosed in 30 (3.8%) SJLIFE participants. Thirteen SNPs (70 kb region of chromosome 4q32.1) upstream of the Neuropeptide Receptor 2 gene (NPY2R) were associated with PM prevalence (minimum P = 3.3 × 10-7 for rs9999820, all P < 10-5). Being a homozygous carrier of a haplotype formed by four of the 13 SNPs (seen in one in seven in the general population but more than 50% of SJLIFE clinically diagnosed PM) was associated with markedly elevated PM prevalence among survivors exposed to ovarian RT (odds ratio [OR] = 25.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.18 to 138.31, P = 8.2 × 10-6); this finding was replicated in an independent second cohort of CCSS in spite of its use of self-reported PM (OR = 3.97, 95% CI = 1.67 to 9.41, P = .002). Evidence from bioinformatics data suggests that the haplotype alters the regulation of NPY2R transcription, possibly affecting PM risk through neuroendocrine pathways.

Conclusions

The haplotype captures the majority of clinically diagnosed PM cases and, with further validation, may have clinical application in identifying the highest-risk survivors for PM for possible intervention by cryopreservation.

Hyperthyroidism After Radiation Therapy for Childhood Cancer: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

PURPOSE

The association of hyperthyroidism with exposure to ionizing radiation is poorly understood. This study addresses the risk of hyperthyroidism in relation to incidental therapeutic radiation dose to the thyroid and pituitary glands in a large cohort of survivors of childhood cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Using the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study's cohort of 5-year survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed at hospitals in the United States and Canada between 1970 and 1986, the occurrence of hyperthyroidism through 2009 was ascertained among 12,183 survivors who responded to serial questionnaires. Radiation doses to the thyroid and pituitary glands were estimated from radiation therapy records, and chemotherapy exposures were abstracted from medical records. Binary outcome regression was used to estimate prevalence odds ratios (ORs) for hyperthyroidism at 5 years from diagnosis of childhood cancer and Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios (RRs) after the first 5 years.

RESULTS

Survivors reported 179 cases of hyperthyroidism, of which 148 were diagnosed 5 or more years after their cancer diagnosis. The cumulative proportion of survivors diagnosed with hyperthyroidism by 30 years after the cancer diagnosis was 2.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0%-2.9%) among those who received radiation therapy. A linear relation adequately described the thyroid radiation dose response for prevalence of self-reported hyperthyroidism 5 years after cancer diagnosis (excess OR/Gy, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.06-0.95) and incidence rate thereafter (excess RR/Gy, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03-0.14) over the dose range of 0 to 63 Gy. Neither radiation dose to the pituitary gland nor chemotherapy was associated significantly with hyperthyroidism. Radiation-associated risk remained elevated >25 years after exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk of hyperthyroidism after radiation therapy during childhood is positively associated with external radiation dose to the thyroid gland, with radiation-related excess risk persisting for >25 years. Neither radiation dose to the pituitary gland nor chemotherapy exposures were associated with hyperthyroidism among childhood cancer survivors through early adulthood.

A novel association between GSTM1 null variant and anthracycline-induced cardiac dysfunction (ACD) in childhood cancer survivors (CCS): A COG ALTE03N1 report

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Background: ACD is a leading cause of mortality in CCS. Previous studies have identified genomic variants that moderate the ACD risk. An agnostic evaluation of differential gene expression between those with and without ACD has not been explored, and could provide insights into the mechanism of cardiotoxicity. Methods: Gene expression profiles in leukocyte RNA from anthracycline-exposed non-Hispanic white (NHW) CCS (20 with ACD [cases]; 20 without ACD [controls]) used Illumina HumanHT-12 v4.0 Expression Beadchips. Gene expression profiles in h uman iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs – Day 30) from 6 childhood cancer patients (3 each with and without CD) treated with 1μM doxorubicin or vehicle for 24 h, used RNA-seq. Genotyping in leukocyte DNA from anthracycline-exposed NHW CCS (65 cases; 76 controls) to determine if the differentially-expressed genes mapped to genetic variants that modified ACD risk, used conditional logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex, age at cancer diagnosis, chest radiation and anthracycline dose. Patient characteristics are in Table. Results: Gene-expression in survivors:Glutathione S transferase mu 1 ( GSTM1) was differentially-expressed; RT q-PCR showed significant downregulation of GSTM1 in cases (0.67±0.57 vs. 1.33±1.33, p=0.049). hiPSC-CMs gene expression: GSTM1 was downregulated in patients with ACD (logFC = -1.4). Genotyping: Using PCR for GSTM1 null, we observed a significant association between CD risk and GSTM1 null genotype (OR=3.0; 95%CI, 1.4-6.2, p=0.003). Conclusions: We report an association between GSTM1 null genotype and ACD, previously unreported likely because GWAS studies did not examined gene deletions. GSTM1 is involved in detoxification of anthracyclines. This finding could facilitate identification of childhood cancer survivors at increased risk of ACD. [Table: see text]

Long term morbidity and mortality among survivors of infant neuroblastoma: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS)

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Background: Infants with neuroblastoma typically have low-risk disease with excellent survival. Therapy has been de-intensified over time to minimize late effects, however the impact on survivors’ risk of late mortality, subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMN), and chronic health conditions (CHC) is unclear. Methods: We evaluated late mortality, SMNs and CHCs (graded according to CTCAE v4.03), overall and by diagnosis era, among 990 5-year neuroblastoma survivors diagnosed at < 1 year of age between 1970-1999. Cumulative mortality, standardized mortality ratios (SMR), and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) of SMNs were estimated using the National Death Index and SEER rates, respectively. Cox proportional hazards estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CHC, compared to 5,051 CCSS siblings. Results: Among survivors (48% female; median attained age: 24 years, range 6-46), there was increased treatment with surgery alone across the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s (21.5%, 35.3%, 41.1%, respectively), but decreased treatment with combination surgery + radiation (22.5%, 5.3%, 0.3%, respectively) and surgery + radiation + chemotherapy (28.7%, 14.7%, 9.3%, respectively). The 20-year cumulative mortality was 2.3% (95% CI, 1.4-3.8), primarily due to SMNs (SMRSMN= 10.0, 95% CI, 4.5-22.3). The 20-year cumulative incidence of SMN was 1.2% (95% CI, 0.3-3.2), 2.5% (95% CI, 1.3-4.4), and zero for those diagnosed in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, respectively. SIR was highest for renal SMNs (SIR 12.5, 95% CI, 1.7-89.4). Compared to siblings, survivors were at increased risk for grade 1-5 CHC (HR 2.1, 95% CI, 1.9-2.3) with similar HR across eras (HR1970s= 1.9, 95% CI, 1.6-2.2; HR1980s= 2.2, 95% CI, 1.9-2.6; HR1990s= 2.0, 95% CI, 1.7-2.4). The HR of severe, disabling, life-threatening and fatal CHC (grades 3-5) decreased in more recent eras (HR1970s= 4.7, 95% CI, 3.4-6.6; HR1980s= 4.4, 95% CI, 3.2-6.2; HR1990s= 2.9, 95% CI, 2.0-4.3). Conclusions: Survivors of infant neuroblastoma remain at increased risk for late mortality, SMN, and CHCs many years after diagnosis. However, the risk of grade 3-5 CHCs has declined in more recent eras, likely reflecting de-intensification of therapy.

Impact of exercise on psychological burden in adult survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

BACKGROUND

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for adverse psychological outcomes. Whether exercise can attenuate this risk is unknown.

METHODS

In total, 6199 participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (median age, 34.3 years [range, 22.0-54.0 years]; median age at diagnosis, 10.0 years [range, 0-21.0 years]) completed a questionnaire assessing vigorous exercise and medical/psychological conditions. Outcomes were evaluated a median of 7.8 years (range, 0.1-10.0 years) later and were defined as: symptom level above the 90th percentile of population norms for depression, anxiety, or somatization on the Brief Symptom Inventory-18; cancer-related pain; cognitive impairment using a validated self-report neurocognitive questionnaire; or poor health-related quality of life. Log-binomial regression estimated associations between exercise (metabolic equivalent [MET]-hours per week^-1 ) and outcomes adjusting for cancer diagnosis, treatment, demographics, and baseline conditions.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depression at follow-up was 11.4% (95% CI, 10.6%-12.3%), anxiety 7.4% (95% CI, 6.7%-8.2%) and somatization 13.9% (95% CI, 13.0%-14.9%). Vigorous exercise was associated with lower prevalence of depression and somatization. The adjusted prevalence ratio for depression was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.72-1.05) for 3 to 6 MET hours per week^-1 , 0.76 (95% CI, 0.62-0.94) for 9 to 12 MET-hours per week^-1 , and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.58-0.95) for 15 to 21 MET-hours per week^-1 . Compared with 0 MET hours per week^-1 , 15 to 21 MET-hours per week^-1 were associated with an adjusted prevalence ratio of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.62-1.00) for somatization. Vigorous exercise also was associated with less impairment in the physical functioning, general health and vitality (P_trend  < .001), emotional role limitations (P_trend  = .02), and mental health (P_trend  = .02) domains as well as higher cognitive function in the domains of task completion, organization, and working memory (P < .05 for all), but not in the domain of cancer pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Vigorous exercise is associated with less psychological burden and cognitive impairment in childhood cancer survivors.

Longitudinal assessment of late-onset neurologic conditions in survivors of childhood central nervous system tumors: a Childhood Cancer Survivor Study report

Background

Survivors of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors experience high rates of treatment-related neurologic sequelae. Whether survivors continue to be at increased risk for new events as they age is unknown.

Methods

Adverse neurologic health conditions in 5-year survivors of CNS tumors from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (n = 1876) were evaluated longitudinally at a median 23.0 years from diagnosis (range, 5.1-38.9), median age at last evaluation 30.3 years (range, 6.1-56.4). Multivariable regression estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs.

Results

From 5 to 30 years post diagnosis, cumulative incidence increased for seizures from 27% to 41%, motor impairment 21% to 35%, and hearing loss 9% to 23%. Risks were elevated compared with siblings (eg, seizures HR: 12.7; 95% CI: 9.6-16.7; motor impairment HR: 7.6; 95% CI: 5.8-9.9; hearing loss HR: 18.4; 95% CI: 13.1-25.9). Regional brain doses of radiation therapy were associated with development of new deficits (eg, frontal ≥50 Gy and motor impairment HR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2-3.4). Increased risk for motor impairment was also associated with tumor recurrence (HR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.8-3.8), development of a meningioma (HR: 2.3; 95% CI: 0.9-5.4), and stroke (HR: 14.9; 95% CI: 10.4-21.4). Seizure risk was doubled by recurrence (HR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.6-3.2), meningioma (HR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1-6.5), and stroke (HR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1-3.4).

Conclusions

CNS tumor survivors remain at risk for new-onset adverse neurologic events across their lifespans at a rate greater than siblings. Cranial radiation, stroke, tumor recurrence, and development of meningioma were independently associated with late-onset adverse neurologic sequelae.

Growth hormone deficiency and neurocognitive function in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND

The impact of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) on neurocognitive function is poorly understood in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This study examined the contribution of GHD to functional outcomes while adjusting for cranial radiation therapy (CRT).

METHODS

Adult survivors of ALL (N = 571; 49% female; mean age, 37.4 years; age range, 19.4-62.2 years) completed neurocognitive tests and self-reported neurocognitive symptoms, emotional distress, and quality of life. GHD was defined as a previous diagnosis of GHD or a plasma insulin-like growth factor1 level less than -2.0 standard deviations for sex and age at the time of neurocognitive testing. Hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, sex, age at diagnosis, CRT dose, and intrathecal and high-dose intravenous methotrexate were included as covariates in multivariable linear regression models.

RESULTS

Of the 571 survivors, 298 (52%) had GHD, and those with GHD received higher doses of CRT (P = .002). Survivors who had GHD, irrespective of prior growth hormone treatment, demonstrated poorer vocabulary (z-score, -0.84 vs -0.61; P = .02), processing speed (z-score, -0.49 vs -0.30; P = .04), cognitive flexibility (z-score, -1.37 vs -0.94; P = .01), and verbal fluency (z-score, -0.74 vs -0.44; P = .001), and they self-reported more neurocognitive problems and poorer quality of life compared with survivors who did not have GHD. Multivariable and mediation models revealed that GHD was associated with small effects on quality of life (general health, P = .01; vitality, P = .01; mental health, P = .01); and CRT dose accounted for the lower neurocognitive outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Adult survivors of childhood ALL who receive CRT are at risk for GHD, although poor neurocognitive outcomes are determined by CRT dose and not by the presence of GHD.

Temporal patterns in the risk of chronic health conditions in survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed 1970-99: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort

BACKGROUND

Treatments for childhood cancer have evolved over the past 50 years, with the goal of maximising the proportion of patients who achieve long-term survival, while minimising the adverse effects of therapy. We aimed to assess incidence patterns of serious chronic health conditions in long-term survivors of childhood cancer across three decades of diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

We used data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a retrospective cohort with longitudinal follow-up of 5-year survivors of common childhood cancers (leukaemia, tumours of the CNS, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms tumour, neuroblastoma, soft tissue sarcoma, or bone tumours) who were diagnosed before the age of 21 years and from 1970 to 1999 in North America. We examined the cumulative incidence of severe to fatal chronic health conditions occurring up to 20 years post-diagnosis among survivors, compared by diagnosis decade. We used multivariable regression models to estimate hazard ratios per diagnosis decade, and we added treatment variables to assess whether treatment changes attenuated associations between diagnosis decade and chronic disease risk.

FINDINGS

Among 23 601 survivors with a median follow-up of 21 years (IQR 15-25), the 20-year cumulative incidence of at least one grade 3-5 chronic condition decreased significantly from 33·2% (95% CI 32·0-34·3) in those diagnosed 1970-79 to 29·3% (28·4-30·2; p<0·0001) in 1980-89, and 27·5% (26·4-28·6; p=0·012 vs 1980-89) in 1990-99. By comparison, the 20-year cumulative incidence of at least one grade 3-5 condition in 5051 siblings was 4·6% (95% CI 3·9-5·2). The 15-year cumulative incidence of at least one grade 3-5 condition was lower for survivors diagnosed 1990-99 compared with those diagnosed 1970-79 for Hodgkin lymphoma (17·7% [95% CI 15·0-20·5] vs 26·4% [23·8-29·1]; p<0·0001), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (16·9% [14·0-19·7] vs 23·8% [19·9-27·7]; p=0.0053), astrocytoma (30·5% [27·8-33·2] vs 47·3% [42·9-51·7]; p<0·0001), Wilms tumour (11·9% [9·5-14·3] vs 17·6% [14·3-20·8]; p=0·034), soft tissue sarcoma (28·3% [23·5-33·1] vs 36·5% [31·5-41·4]; p=0·021), and osteosarcoma (65·6% [60·6-70·6] vs 87·5% [84·1-91·0]; p<0·0001). By contrast, the 15-year cumulative incidence of at least one grade 3-5 condition was higher (1990-99 vs 1970-79) for medulloblastoma or primitive neuroectodermal tumour (58·9% [54·4-63·3] vs 42·9% [34·9-50·9]; p=0·00060), and neuroblastoma (25·0% [21·8-28·2] vs 18·0% [14·5-21·6]; p=0·0045). Results were consistent with changes in treatment as a significant mediator of the association between diagnosis decade and risk of grade 3-5 chronic conditions for astrocytoma (HR per decade without treatment in the model = 0·77, 95% CI 0·64-0·92; HR with treatment in the model=0·89, 95% CI 0·72-1·11; p_mediation=0·0085) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HR without treatment=0·75, 95% CI 0·65-0·85; HR with treatment=0·91, 95% CI 0·73-1·12; p_mediation=0·024). Temporal decreases in 15-year cumulative incidence comparing survivors diagnosed 1970-79 to survivors diagnosed 1990-99 were noted for endocrinopathies (5·9% [5·3-6·4] vs 2·8% [2·5-3·2]; p<0·0001), subsequent malignant neoplasms (2·7% [2·3-3·1] vs 1·9% [1·6-2·2]; p=0·0033), musculoskeletal conditions (5·8% [5·2-6·4] vs 3·3% [2·9-3·6]; p<0·0001), and gastrointestinal conditions (2·3% [2·0-2·7] vs 1·5% [1·3-1·8]; p=0·00037), while hearing loss increased (3·0% [2·6-3·5] vs 5·7% [5·2-6·1]; p<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Our results suggest that more recently treated survivors of childhood cancer had improvements in health outcomes, consistent with efforts over the same time period to modify childhood cancer treatment regimens to maximise overall survival, while reducing risk of long-term adverse events. Continuing advances in cancer therapy offer promise of further reducing the risk of long-term adverse events in childhood cancer survivors. However, achieving long-term survival for childhood cancer continues to come at a cost for many survivors, emphasising the importance of long-term follow-up care for this population.

FUNDING

National Cancer Institute and the American Lebanese-Syrian Associated Charities.

Insulin and glucose homeostasis in childhood cancer survivors treated with abdominal radiation: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Childhood cancer survivors exposed to abdominal radiation (abdRT) are at increased risk for both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. We sought to clarify the pathophysiology of diabetes after abdRT by performing dynamic studies of insulin and glucose and testing for type 1 diabetes-associated autoantibodies.

PROCEDURE

Cross-sectional analysis of 2-year childhood cancer survivors treated with abdRT at age ≤21 years who underwent oral glucose tolerance testing and assessment of diabetes-related autoantibodies from December 2014 to September 2016. Prevalence of insulin/glucose derangements, indices of insulin sensitivity/secretion (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR], whole-body insulin sensitivity, insulinogenic index), autoantibody positivity, and treatment/demographic factors associated with adverse metabolic outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

Among 40 participants previously exposed to abdRT (57.5% male; median age at cancer diagnosis, 3.3 years [range, 0.5-20.1]; median age at study 14.3 years [range, 8.3-49.8]; none with obesity), 9 (22.5%) had glucose derangements (n = 4 with impaired fasting glucose [≥100 mg/dL]; n = 4 with impaired glucose tolerance [2-hour glucose 140-199 mg/dL]; n = 1 with previously unrecognized diabetes [2-hour glucose ≥200 mg/dL]). Three of the four individuals with impaired fasting glucose also had insulin resistance, as measured by HOMA-IR; an additional four subjects with normal glucose tolerance were insulin resistant. The subject with diabetes had normal HOMA-IR. No participant had absolute insulinopenia or >1 positive diabetes-related autoantibody.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that radiation-induced damage to the insulin-producing β-cells is an unlikely explanation for the early derangements in glucose metabolism observed after abdRT. Research into alternative pathways leading to diabetes after abdRT is needed.

Impact of ovarian transposition before pelvic irradiation on ovarian function among long-term survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

We reviewed the effect of ovarian transposition (OT) on ovarian function among long-term survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treated with pelvic radiotherapy.

PROCEDURE

Female participants (age 18+ years) with HL in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE) were clinically evaluated for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) 10 or more years after pelvic radiotherapy. Reproductive history including age at menopause and pregnancy/live births was available on all patients.

RESULTS

Of 127 eligible females with HL, 90 (80%) participated in SJLIFE, including 49 who underwent OT before pelvic radiotherapy. Median age at STLIFE evaluation was 38 years (range 25-60). In a multiple regression adjusted for age at diagnosis, pelvic radiotherapy doses > 1,500 cGy (hazard ratio [HR] = 25.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.1-207.3; P = 0.0027) and cumulative cyclophosphamide equivalent doses of alkylating agents > 12,000 mg/m² (HR = 11.2, 95% CI = 3.4-36.8; P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with POI. There was no significant association between OT and occurrence of POI (HR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.2-1.9; P = 0.41).

CONCLUSIONS

OT did not appear to modify risk of POI in this historic cohort of long-term survivors of HL treated with gonadotoxic therapy. Modern fertility preservation modalities, such as mature oocyte cryopreservation, should be offered to at-risk patients whenever feasible.

Hypothyroidism after Radiation Therapy for Childhood Cancer: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

While thyroid cancer risks from exposure to ionizing radiation early in life are well characterized quantitatively, the association of radiation with nonmalignant, functional thyroid disorders has been less studied. Here, we report on a risk analysis study of hypothyroidism with radiation dose to the thyroid gland and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis among survivors of childhood cancer. Utilizing data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a cohort of 14,364 five-year survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed at 26 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada between 1970 and 1986 and followed through 2009, the occurrence of hypothyroidism was ascertained among 12,015 survivors through serial questionnaires. Radiation doses to the thyroid gland and pituitary gland were estimated from radiotherapy records. Binary outcome regression was used to estimate prevalence odds ratios for hypothyroidism at five years from diagnosis of childhood cancer and Poisson regression to model incidence rate ratios (RR) after the first five years. A total of 1,193 cases of hypothyroidism were observed, 777 (65%) of which occurred five or more years after cancer diagnosis. The cumulative proportion affected with hypothyroidism (prevalence at five years after cancer diagnosis plus incidence through 30 years after cancer diagnosis) was highest among five-year survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (32.3%; 95% CI: 29.5-34.9) and cancers of the central nervous system (17.7%; 95% CI: 15.2-20.4). The incidence rate was significantly associated with radiation dose to the thyroid and pituitary. The joint association of hypothyroidism with thyroid and pituitary dose was sub-additive for pituitary doses greater than 16 Gy. In particular, a very strong thyroid radiation dose dependence at low-to-moderate pituitary/hypothalamic doses was diminished at high pituitary doses. Radiation-related risks were higher in males than females and inversely associated with age at exposure and time since exposure but remained elevated more than 25 years after exposure. Our findings indicated that hypothyroidism was significantly associated with treatment with bleomycin (RR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.6-7.3) and the alkylating agents cyclohexyl-chloroethyl-nitrosourea (CCNU) (RR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.5-5.3) and cyclophosphamide (RR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.0-1.8), with a significant dose response for CCNU ( P < 0.01). The risk of hypothyroidism among childhood cancer survivors treated with radiation depends both on direct, dose-dependent radiation-induced damage to the thyroid gland and on dose-dependent indirect effects secondary to irradiation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The dose-response relationship for each site depends on dose to the other. Radiation-related risk persists for more than 25 years after treatment. Treatment with certain chemotherapy agents may increase the risk of hypothyroidism.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary and Growth Disorders in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

OBJECTIVE

To formulate clinical practice guidelines for the endocrine treatment of hypothalamic-pituitary and growth disorders in survivors of childhood cancer.

PARTICIPANTS

An Endocrine Society-appointed guideline writing committee of six medical experts and a methodologist.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to remarkable improvements in childhood cancer treatment and supportive care during the past several decades, 5-year survival rates for childhood cancer currently are >80%. However, by virtue of their disease and its treatments, childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for a wide range of serious health conditions, including disorders of the endocrine system. Recent data indicate that 40% to 50% of survivors will develop an endocrine disorder during their lifetime. Risk factors for endocrine complications include both host (e.g., age, sex) and treatment factors (e.g., radiation). Radiation exposure to key endocrine organs (e.g., hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, and gonads) places cancer survivors at the highest risk of developing an endocrine abnormality over time; these endocrinopathies can develop decades following cancer treatment, underscoring the importance of lifelong surveillance. The following guideline addresses the diagnosis and treatment of hypothalamic-pituitary and growth disorders commonly encountered in childhood cancer survivors.

Endocrine Late Effects in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Endocrine complications are highly prevalent in childhood cancer survivors. Approximately 50% of survivors will experience at least one hormonal disorder over the course of their lives. Endocrine complications often are observed in survivors previously treated with radiation to the head, neck, or pelvis. We provide an overview the most common endocrine late effects seen in survivors, including hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, primary thyroid dysfunction, obesity, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and decreased bone mineral density. Primary gonadal injury is discussed elsewhere in this series. Given a variable latency interval, a systematic approach where individuals are periodically screened on the basis of their risk factors can help to improve health outcomes by prompt diagnosis and treatment of evolving endocrinopathies. These recommendations must be revised in the future given changes and improvements in cancer treatment over time.

Perceptions of risk of infertility among male survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

BACKGROUND

The objective of the current study was to characterize and identify factors associated with perceptions of risk of infertility among adult male survivors of childhood cancer.

METHODS

A total of 1233 adult male survivors from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study who were without a history of disease recurrence or subsequent malignancy reported their perceptions of their risk of infertility compared with men never diagnosed with cancer. Survivors were a median age of 37.8 years (range, 22.0-58.7 years) and were 28.4 years from their diagnosis (range, 21.4-39.2 years). Multivariable logistic regression evaluated factors associated with perceptions of risk.

RESULTS

Overall, 35.9% of the survivors (443 of 1233 survivors) reported perceptions of their risk of infertility that were discordant with their actual risk based on previous cancer treatment exposures. Discordant perceptions were equally common among men exposed to gonadotoxic therapies (36.3%; 311 of 857 men) and those with no history of gonadotoxic exposure (35.1%; 132 of 376 men). Survivors who fathered children (odds ratio [OR], 4.14; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.74-6.24), had no survivor-focused health care (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.57-5.99), were nonwhite (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.10-4.75), and were of lower income were more likely to report no increased risk of infertility after gonadotoxic treatment. Perceptions of increased risk of infertility among men with no history of gonadotoxic treatment were predicted by never having fathered a child (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.17-3.03), recent participation in survivor-focused health care (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.01-4.42), and higher educational achievement.

CONCLUSIONS

Many male survivors of childhood cancer are unaware of how their cancer treatments could impact their reproductive health, underscoring the need for all patients to receive education regarding their risk of infertility throughout the continuum of cancer care. Cancer 2018;124:2447-55. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Long-term neurologic health and psychosocial function of adult survivors of childhood medulloblastoma/PNET: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

Background

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant childhood brain tumor, although long-term risks for chronic neurologic health and psychosocial functioning in aging adult survivors are incompletely characterized.

Methods

The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) includes 380 five-year survivors of medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET; median age at follow-up: 30 y, interquartile range 24-36) and sibling comparison (n = 4031). Cumulative incidence of neurologic health conditions was reported. Cox regression models provided hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. Cross-sectional outcomes were assessed using generalized linear models.

Results

Compared with siblings, survivors were at increased risk of late-onset hearing loss (HR: 36.0, 95% CI: 23.6-54.9), stroke (HR: 33.9, 95% CI: 17.8-64.7), seizure (HR: 12.8, 95% CI: 9.0-18.1), poor balance (HR: 10.4, 95% CI: 6.7-15.9), tinnitus (HR: 4.8, 95% CI: 3.5-6.8), and cataracts (HR: 31.8, 95% CI: 16.7-60.5). Temporal/frontal lobe radiotherapy of 50 Gy or more increased risk for hearing loss (HR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-1.3), seizure (HR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-3.9), stroke (HR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.3-9.1), and tinnitus (HR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.0-3.9). Survivors were less likely than siblings to earn a college degree (relative risk [RR]: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.39-0.60), marry (RR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.29-0.42), and live independently (RR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.52-0.66).

Conclusions

Adult survivors of childhood medulloblastoma/PNET demonstrate pronounced risk for hearing impairment, stroke, lower educational attainment, and social independence. Interventions to support survivors should be a high priority.

Nonsurgical premature menopause and reproductive implications in survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

BACKGROUND

Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk of nonsurgical premature menopause (NSPM). To the authors' knowledge, risk factors for NSPM and its impact on reproduction remain poorly defined.

METHODS

The menopausal status of 2930 survivors diagnosed between 1970 and 1986 (median age, 6 years [range, birth-20 years]) who were aged > 18 years at the time of the current study (median age, 35 years [range, 18-58 years]) was compared with 1399 siblings. NSPM was defined as the cessation of menses ≥6 months in duration occurring 5 years after diagnosis and before age 40 that was not due to pregnancy, surgery, or medications. Among survivors, multivariable logistic regression identified risk factors for NSPM. Pregnancy and live birth rates were compared between survivors with and without NSPM.

RESULTS

A total of 110 survivors developed NSPM (median age, 32 years [range, 16-40 years]), with a prevalence at age 40 years of 9.1% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 4.9%-17.2%); the odds ratio (OR) was 10.5 (95% CI, 4.2-26.3) compared with siblings. Independent risk factors included exposure to a procarbazine dose ≥4000 mg/m² (OR, 8.96 [95% CI, 5.02-16.00]), any dose of ovarian radiation (OvRT) (OvRT < 500 cGy: OR, 2.73 [95% CI, 1.33-5.61] and OvRT ≥ 500 cGy: OR, 8.02 [95% CI, 2.81-22.85]; referent RT, 0), and receipt of a stem cell transplantation (OR, 6.35; 95% CI, 1.19-33.93). Compared with survivors without NSPM, those who developed NSPM were less likely to ever be pregnant (rate ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.27-0.80) or to have a live birth (rate ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.19-0.79) between ages 31 and 40 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk of NSPM associated with lower rates of live birth in their 30s. Those at risk should consider fertility preservation if they anticipate delaying childbearing. Cancer 2018;124:1044-52. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Long-term sequelae in survivors of childhood leukemia with Down syndrome: A childhood cancer survivor study report

BACKGROUND

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk of developing acute leukemia and are more prone to acute toxicities. We studied the incidence and severity of chronic health conditions among survivors of childhood leukemia with DS compared with those without DS.

METHODS

Chronic health conditions reported by questionnaire were compared between 154 pediatric leukemia survivors with DS and 581 without DS, matched by leukemia, age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, sex, radiation location and chemotherapy exposure using Cox models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subjects were selected from 7139 5-year survivors of leukemia in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

RESULTS

Risk of at least 1 late onset chronic health condition (grade 1-5) was similar in the DS population compared with the non-DS group (HR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.7-1.5). Serious chronic health conditions (grade 3-5) were more common in DS survivors (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.6), as were ≥ 3 chronic health conditions (grades 1-5) (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4). The 25-year cumulative incidence of any condition (grades 1-5) was 83% for DS survivors and 69% for non-DS survivors.

CONCLUSION

Leukemia survivors with DS have therapy-related chronic health conditions comparable to those of similarly treated survivors without DS, with a few notable exceptions: 1) an increased risk of cataracts, hearing loss, and thyroid dysfunction compared with survivors without DS (though these are known risks in the DS population), 2) decreased risk of second cancers, and 3) increased risk of severe or multiple conditions. Practitioners should be aware of these risks during and after therapy. Cancer 2018;124:617-25. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Prediction of Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke in Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Purpose We aimed to predict individual risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke in 5-year survivors of childhood cancer. Patients and Methods Participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS; n = 13,060) were observed through age 50 years for the development of ischemic heart disease and stroke. Siblings (n = 4,023) established the baseline population risk. Piecewise exponential models with backward selection estimated the relationships between potential predictors and each outcome. The St Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (n = 1,842) and the Emma Children's Hospital cohort (n = 1,362) were used to validate the CCSS models. Results Ischemic heart disease and stroke occurred in 265 and 295 CCSS participants, respectively. Risk scores based on a standard prediction model that included sex, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy (cranial, neck, and chest) exposures achieved an area under the curve and concordance statistic of 0.70 and 0.70 for ischemic heart disease and 0.63 and 0.66 for stroke, respectively. Validation cohort area under the curve and concordance statistics ranged from 0.66 to 0.67 for ischemic heart disease and 0.68 to 0.72 for stroke. Risk scores were collapsed to form statistically distinct low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups. The cumulative incidences at age 50 years among CCSS low-risk groups were < 5%, compared with approximately 20% for high-risk groups ( P < .001); cumulative incidence was only 1% for siblings ( P < .001 v low-risk survivors). Conclusion Information available to clinicians soon after completion of childhood cancer therapy can predict individual risk for subsequent ischemic heart disease and stroke with reasonable accuracy and discrimination through age 50 years. These models provide a framework on which to base future screening strategies and interventions.