Analysis of serum immunoglobulin level in children with Burkitt lymphoma / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To summarize changes of serum immunoglobulin levels before and after chemotherapy in children with Burkitt lymphoma (BL), so as to investigate the effects of chemotherapy and rituximab on serum immunoglobulin levels in children with BL. Methods: Clinical data of 223 children with newly diagnosed Burkitt lymphoma at Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2009 to April 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. They were treated according to the modified LMB 89 regimen and some of them received combined rituximab therapy during the chemotherapy. The serum immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, IgG) before chemotherapy, at the time of discontinuing chemotherapy, as well as 6, 12, 24, 36 months after chemotherapy were collected. Changes of serum IgA, IgM and IgG with time among different treatment groups were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: According to risk group, 223 children were devided into group B（n=53）and group C（n=170）. Before chemotherapy, 109 cases (48.9%) were combined with hypogammaglobulinemia. The serum IgA, IgM, and IgG levels of all the patients were (0.9±0.7), 1.2 (0.5, 1.3) and (7.2±2.9) g/L before chemotherapy, (0.5±0.4), 0.2 (0.1, 0.3) and (6.3±2.3) g/L at the time of discontinuing chemotherapy (t=13.63, Z=-11.99, t=4.57, all P<0.05). There were statistical difference in IgA, IgM levels of group B and IgA, IgM, IgG levels of group C before chemotherapy and at the time of discontinuing chemotherapy (t=8.86, Z=-6.28, t=11.19, Z=-10.15, t=4.50, all P<0.05). The differences of serum IgA and IgG levels at the time after chemotherapy among patients treated with chemotherapy alone and those treated with chemotherapy combined rituximab in group B and C were significant (F=5.38, P=0.002 and F=4.22, P=0.007). Conclusions: Approximately half of children with BL have already existed hypogammaglobulinemia at initial diagnosis prior to the start of treatment. The modified LMB 89 regimen have significant effect on humoral immunity of children with BL. In the process of immune reconstruction after chemotherapy, rituximab has more significant effect on serum IgA and IgG levels in BL patients.

Treatment outcome in children with central nervous system-positive Burkitt lymphoma using only intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy combined with rituximab / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#With current chemotherapy treatment, >90% of survival has been obtained for Burkitt lymphoma (BL). In this study, the demographic characteristics and treatment outcomes are presented for 78 children in China with central nervous system-positive (CNS+) BL.@*METHODS@#This retrospective study consecutively enrolled 78 CNS+ BL patients in Beijing Children's Hospital (BCH) from 2007 to 2019 who received the BCH B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma regimen (modified by French-American-British mature lymphoma B-cell 96 [FAB/LMB96] C1 arm ± rituximab). Clinical characteristics, methods of disease detection in the CNS, and outcomes were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess prognostic factors.@*RESULTS@#The median age of 65 boys and 13 girls at the time of diagnosis was 5.7 years (ranging from 1 to 14 years). Patients were followed up for a median time of 34 months (ranging from 1 to 72 months). Bone marrow invasion was found in 38 (48.7%) patients. There were 48 (61.5%), 44 (56.4%), and 25 (32%) patients with cranial nerve palsy, intracerebral mass (ICM), and para-meningeal extension, respectively. Abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) morphology and CSF immunophenotype appeared in 15 (19.2%) and 15 (19.2%) patients, respectively. There were 69 (88.5%) patients treated with chemotherapy combined with rituximab, and nine patients were treated solely with chemotherapy. Finally, five patients died of treatment-related infection, recurrence occurred for 13, and one developed a second tumor. The 3-year overall survival and event-free survival rates were 78.9% ± 4.7% and 71.4% ± 6.0%, respectively. Treatment with chemotherapy only, ICM positivity, and >4 organs involved at diagnosis were independent risk factors.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Rituximab combined with a modified LMB96 regimen has greatly increased the efficacy of treatment for Chinese children with CNS+ BL, and with the continuous collection of outcome data, treatment-related complications are decreasing. For further verification, a large sample multicentre randomized controlled study should be performed to explore a treatment scheme for Chinese children with even greater efficacy.

Prognostic significance of the NPM-ALK fusion gene in bone marrow and peripheral blood for patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of NPM- ALK fusion gene in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) patients and its prognostic significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NPM- ALK fusion gene of 21 BM and 15 PB samples from patients with NPM-ALK positive ALCL was detected by RT- PCR, and the relationship between NPM- ALK expression and prognosis and clinical characters was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 21 patients, 12 cases were male and 9 case were female with a median age of 9 (range, 2-14) years old. The median follow- up was 31 months. Patients with a positive NPM-ALK expression in BM had a 3-years EFS of (35.6±18.6)%, compared with (91.7±8.0)% for patients with negative NPM-ALK (P=0.038). The incidence of positive expression in BM was significantly higher in patients who had more than 3 organs involved by tumor (P=0.032). 86.7% patients had a concordant results of NPM-ALK expression in PB and BM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We could evaluate the minimal disseminated disease of NPM-ALK positive ALCL patients by screening the NPM-ALK fusion gene in BM and PB by RT-PCR. The positive expression is associated with a poor prognosis and could be used for stratification of ALCL.</p>

Clinical features and prognosis of children with lymphoblastic lymphoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical characteristics of childhood lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) and therapeutic efficacy of BCH-LBL-2003 regimen modified from BFM-90 protocol. The drug-related toxicities and prognostic factors were explored at the same time.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Janurary 2003 to December 2009, 112 newly diagnosed LBL patients at the Hematology Center of Beijing Children's Hospital were enrolled in this study. The patients were treated with modified BFM-90-LBL protocol.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At a median follow-up of 29 months (1 to 90 months), the patients were evaluated on day 33 and at the end of induction therapy. The bone marrow complete remission (CR) rates were 96.4% and 100%, respectively. Meanwhile, the complete remission (CR) rates of tumor were 77.7% and 94.5%, and the partial remission (PR) rates were 22.3% and 5.5%, respectively. The overall response rate was 100%. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 89.1% and 5-year OS was 87.0%. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) was 85.4% and 5-year EFS was 83.3%. Eleven cases relapsed during the treatment (4 BM relapses, 3 CNS recurrences, 3 primary site and 1 lymph node of neck and BM). Eleven patients died (3 died of infection and 8 died of progressive disease after relapse). All patients experienced grade 3-4 hematological toxicity. Univariate analysis indicated that lack of CR at the end of induction therapy, immunophenotype, bulky tumor and course of disease had prognostic significance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Lymphoblastic lymphoma in childhood and adolescence is highly aggressive. BCH-LBL-2003 protocol is very effective. The treatment-associated side effects were tolerable. Patients who didn't get CR at the end of induction therapy, with T-cell immunophenotype, with bulky disease and the course of disease less than 30 days may have a poor prognosis.</p>

Clinical features and therapeutic effect of 38 children with anaplastic large cell lymphoma / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the clinical features and prognostic factors of children's anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), summarize the therapeutic effect and toxicities.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A total of 38 ALCL patients admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital from Jan. 2003 to Apr. 2010 were treated with BCH-ALCL-2003 regimen (modified from HK-ALCL-2000).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Thirty-four cases were ALK(+), male:female ratio = 2.16:1. The median age was 9 years; 86.8% had B symptoms. 94.7% evolved to Stage III and IV on admission. The median follow-up duration was 48 months (12 to 99 months). Median event-free survival (EFS) time was 43 months. Thirty-four patients (89.5%) achieved a remission. The disease relapsed in 3 patients within 20 months after diagnosis. Estimated 4-year EFS was (81.2 ± 6.4)%, estimated 4-year overall survival (OS) rate was (86.4 ± 5.7)%. Univariate analysis indicated that the unfavorable prognostic factors included: more than 3 extra nodal involvement, hepatosplenomegaly (> 3 cm), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), stage IV, hemophagocytosis in bone marrow, and age < 3 years. The major toxicity was myelosuppression and mucositis. no chemotherapy related death occurred.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(1) Childhood ALCL patients often have B symptoms and extranodal involvement. (2) In the study, therapeutic effects was good. The disease relapsed mostly within the first 2 years, maintenance therapy with vinblastine is necessary. (3) The regimen is safe to patients.</p>

Clinical analysis of 18 cases with acute tumor lysis syndrome in children with B-cell lymphoma / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate risk factors associated with acute tumor lysis syndrome (ATLS) in children with B-cell lymphoma and to explore feasible means for the prophylaxis and treatment.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Data from 18 children with ATLS in B-cell lymphoma were collected to assess their tumor burden at diagnosis and before chemotherapy. Evaluation was performed at the 8th day, 3 month, and the end of chemotherapy and follow up. The incidence of ATLS in B-cell lymphoma, and the relationship between the incidence of ATLS and whether the kidney was involved and large tumor burden were analyzed respectively. All patients received hydration, alkalinization and received allopurinol routinely. Urate oxidase and hemodialysis treatment were administered in some cases.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Of the 103 children with B-cell lymphoma, 18 were diagnosed as having ATLS (17.5%). All the 18 cases with ATLS were histopathologically confirmed as having Burkitt's lymphoma. All the patients were at stage III or IV and all had large tumor sizes, and 7 were found to have blasts in the bone marrow>25% (38.9%). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels≥1000 U/L were found in 11 (61.1%) cases. All patients had developed metabolic abnormalities, including hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and uremia. In terms of clinical features and prognosis, all cases had nausea, vomiting, anorexia, oliguria, and anuria at different levels. One had gastrointestinal bleeding, 7 patients experienced seizures. The etiology in five was hypocalcemia and two had reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome and all responded well to treatment. Nine cases of ATLS responded to supportive care, 4 required hemodialysis, and the other 4 responded to urate oxidase. Ten cases survived and 8 died. The major cause of death was severe complications and treatment was given up in 5 cases and recurrence occurred in 3 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ATLS was commonly seen in Burkitt's subtype of B-cell lymphoma. Higher LDH and large tumor sizes and kidney involvement were important risk factors for the development of ATLS in children with B-cell lymphoma. Treatments with hydration, alkalinization and allopurinol were safe and effective. Urate oxidase and hemodialytic treatments should be given timely.</p>

Clinical analysis of children with lymphoma complicated with severe pneumonia due to novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical features and treatment of severe pneumonia due to novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in children with lymphoma during chemotherapy.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The clinical manifestations, radiologic features, reasons of misdiagnosis, experiences in treatment and prognosis of 4 children with lymphoma complicated with pneumonia due to novel influenza A (H1N1) virus during chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Four children out of the 54 patients with hematologic disorders who were receiving chemotherapy suffered from H1N1 influenza. Neutrophil counts were less than 0.5 × 10(9)/L in all 4 patients. The body temperature was higher than 39°C accompanied by chill and low blood pressure at the onset of the illness. Dyspnea and hypoxemia occurred quickly. Two of them developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). C-reactive protein (CRP) was higher than 50 mg/L in all these cases, and was higher than 200 mg/L in 2 cases. Chest X-ray showed that there were extensive infiltrations in several lung lobes in all the 4 patients. The first patient was misdiagnosed as sepsis at the beginning. The results of 17 blood cultures for the 4 patients were all negative. Fungi were found in 2 of 20 sputum cultures in 2 patients and these 2 patients had been considered as having fungal pneumonias. All the 4 patients were treated with oseltamivir phosphate. The oseltamivir treatment started on the 5(th) day in patient number 1, whereas on the 1(st) day in the other 3 patients. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was used in all 4 patients. Methylprednisolone was used in 3 patients. After treatment, 2 died and 2 were improved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The children with lymphoma who undergo chemotherapy are prone to develop severe pneumonia during epidemics of influenza A H1N1. The pneumonia may be aggravated very quickly and have a higher mortality. The patients might be easily misdiagnosed as sepsis at early stage. The pneumonia may be misdiagnosed as fungal infection. During H1N1 prevalent season when high fever occurred, H1N1 infection should be considered. Early detection of the virus and use of oseltamivir phosphate and high-dose IVIG and methylprednisolone might reduce the mortality.</p>

Clinical characteristics of 34 children with Hodgkin lymphoma and efficacy of treatment with chemotherapy plus low dose radiotherapy on involved sites / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical features and to evaluate outcomes and to assess therapeutic effects in 34 children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma treated with risk-adapted combination chemotherapy and low-dose, involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) in China.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>From January 2003 to April 2009, 34 hospitalized children with Hodgkin lymphoma were enrolled into the BCH-HL 2003 protocol (revised CCG 5942) in our hospital. Pathological samples were reviewed centrally and classified based on the World Health Organization guidelines. Staging was based on clinical evaluation and was defined by the Ann Arbor staging system. The 34 patients were treated according to the different risk factors in three treatment groups (standard, intermediate, and high risk), and received risk-adapted combination chemotherapy and IFRT. All analyses were calculated by the statistical program SPSS.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Of the 34 Hodgkin lymphoma patients, 28 were male and 6 were female. The median age was 8.7 years (range from 4 years to 15 years) at the time of diagnosis. In terms of clinical presentation, 53% had bulky lymph nodes, 47.1% had more than 4 node regions involved and 44% had "B" symptoms at presentation. The distribution for stage of disease was 0% for Stage I, 21% for Stage II, 35% for Stage III and 44% for Stage IV disease. All patients had classical histology consisting of three different sub-discipline: 22 cases of mixed cellularity (64.7%). In pathological samples of 25 cases there was EBV encoded RNA (EBER) or latent membrane protein (LMP) staining. The overall survival (OS) was 100% and the 5-year event-free survival was 94.1% with a median follow-up of (26.1 ± 16.3) months. Two patients had early relapse after treatment was finished. Organ toxicity was limited to hematological grades III and IV at rates of 40% and 71% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Childhood Hodgkin lymphoma in our study was more frequently seen in male school aged children. Combined-modality therapy using risk-adapted chemotherapy with radiation is effective and well tolerated. The overall prognosis was good.</p>

Tolerability of 6-mercaptopurine in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) has been the backbone of maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the response to 6-MP is highly variable, adverse events leading to discontinuation or dose-reduction (children intolerant) of 6-MP occur in many children with ALL. The aim of this study was to investigate the tolerability of 6-MP and to optimize thiopurine use.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The authors evaluated in a prospective manner the tolerance of 6-MP in ALL children from Oct. 1, 2004 to Sept. 30, 2007 who were newly diagnosed in Beijing Children's Hospital, using BCH-ALL-2003 protocols, during the maintenance therapy and followed up to Sept. 30, 2008. All children had a treatment period of at least 3 months for maintenance therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 133 children including 81 boys and 52 girls at median age of 67 months (18 - 188 months), 100% of the patients went into complete remission (CR) on day 33 of induction chemotherapy, and the median time to CR was 26 months (6 - 47 months). All the children had maintenance therapy from 3 to 25 months (mean 13.5 +/- 7.4) and 72(54%) received 6-MP standard doses continuously for total courses, the median daily dose of 6-MP was 46 mg/(m(2).d) 6-MP, their WBC was (3 - 4) x 10(9)/L, ANC (1.5 - 2) x 10(9)/L, they had no severe liver toxicity. In 4 children the dose of 6-MP was increased to 125% because WBC was higher than 6 x 10(9)/L, ANC higher than 3 x 10(9)/L. Sixty one children (46%) had poor tolerability to 6-MP, they experienced adverse events that led to discontinuation (n = 19) or dose reduction (n = 42) of 6-MP, the actual mean dose for the 42 cases was 25 - 30 mg/(m(2).d) and the time to occurrence of toxic effects was 2.5 weeks. Reasons for discontinuation or dose reduction were severe myelotoxicity occurred in 48 children, hepatotoxicity in 12, and skin rash in one.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In this cohort of ALL children, the difference of tolerance to oral 6-MP was obvious, 54% of the children well tolerated 6-MP during the whole course at oral standard dose, and severe granulocytopenia did not occur. However, 46% developed severe granulopenia or hepatotoxicity, the dosage had to be reduced in order to decrease the probability of severe toxicity. It is suggested that standard dose of 6-MP is not always the maximum tolerant dose in some children and inadequate dose may be the cause of therapy failure.</p>

Clinical features of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical features of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (HAAA) in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of the children with newly diagnosed HAAA from January 2007 to December 2008 were respectively studied, including clinical manifestations, and blood routine, bone marrow examination, viral serology and immune function results as well as treatment and prognosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 8 children were confirmed as HAAA, accounting for 4.9% in children with aplastic anemia. There were 7 males and 1 female. The median age was 7.5 years (range 4.4 to 10.3 years) at diagnosis. They had negative serologic results and the causes of hepatitis could not be identified. The median interval from hepatitis occurrence to blood cell reduction was 6 weeks. Three cases were diagnosed as severe aplastic anemia and 5 cases as very severe aplastic anemia. Severe T cell immune disorders were found in all 8 cases. The percentage of Ts cells increased and the percentage of Th cells decreased significantly in the 8 children with HAAA. Four children survived after immune suppress treatment, three children died within one month after diagnosis and one child required own discharge without treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HAAA is more frequent in male school children. The children with HAAA have severe T cell immune disorders, with a higher early death rate. Immune suppress treatment is effective.</p>

Clinical study of 40 children with Burkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the histological and clinical characteristics of 40 cases with Burkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma in children, to evaluate the effects of treatment with international regimen, and to explore the treatment-related complications and prognostic factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty patients with Burkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma were registered in Beijing Children Hospital from Feb 2003 to Apr 2006. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry of biopsy, and clinical staging by the examination of imaging, cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow based on St. Jude system. Intensive, short-term chemotherapy witch was modified from LMB89 protocol was given to the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 40 patients, 30 were diagnosed as Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and 10 as Burkitt-like lymphoma (BLL). Antibody against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV-Ab) was positive in 19 cases at diagnosis, only 7 of the patients were positive for EBER. Thirty-three of the cases were male and 7 female (M:F = 4.7:1); the median age was 6 years 9 months. The most frequently seen clinical characteristics were abdominal masses and surgical abdomen. Nine cases were at stage I - II and 31 cases at stage III - IV at diagnosis; CNS was involved in 4 cases and bone marrow in 2 cases. The courses of treatment were approximately 2 - 8 months. All the patients were followed up, the median follow-up period was 22.6 months. After chemotherapy, 35 patients (88.7%) were still alive during the one-year follow-up. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) rate was 81.8%. Major toxicity was myelosuppression and mucositis. Stage III to IV of myelosuppression occurred in the most patients with unresected tumor and CNS-involvement. Of 5 patients who died, 2 died of infection, 2 died of lymphoma progression during chemotherapy, and 1 died of relapse.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Burkitt's and Burkitt-like lymphoma are the most common NHL in children with rapid clinical process. Outcome was greatly improved by current intensive, short-term chemotherapy regimen, the 3-year EFS was 81.8% including the patients who were in advanced stage. Childhood lymphoma with short clinical history, stage IV and residual disease after 3 months of therapy are associated with poor prognosis.</p>

Misdiagnosis Analysis of 31 Cases with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in Children / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To make clinical doctors better understanding of anaplastic large cell lymphoma(ALCL) and reduce the misdiagnosis of ALCL at an earlier stage.Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical features in 31 children with ALCL from Sep.2002 to Jan.2008,who had been misdiagnosed as other diseases at first and latterly been confirmed as ALCL by pathological study.The reasons for mis-diagnosis and the symptoms of the disease were analyzed and reviewed.Results ALCL clinical misdiagnosis rate reached to 91.2%.The reasons for misdiagnosis were:1.The fact that extra-nodal involvement present in earlier stage,which caused ALCL to have diversified clinical symptoms,and the initial symptoms were diverse.2.ALCL cells produce multiple cytokines such as IL-6,IL-9,IL-4,and others.They might make patients have symptoms like inflammation.3.The morphology of ALCL was quite variable.4.The clinical doctors and pathologists did not have frofound understandings of ALCL.5.Inapropriate usage of steroid before diagnosis was mode.Conclusions Clinical doctors should be aware of the diversity of ALCL clinical symptoms and use steroid carefully,while pathologists should pay attention to morphological varieties of ALCL and choose appropriate immunohistiochemical stain markers to avoid misdiagnose.Pathologic diagnosis should be made by more than 2 oncology centers.

Antithymocyte Globulin Combining Cyclosporin in Treatment of Pediatric Severe Aplastic Anemia / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To analyze the effectiveness of antithymocyte globulin(ATG) combined with cyclosporin(CSA)in treatment of pediatric severe aplastic anemia(SAA).Methods Seven children with SAA were treated with ATG and CSA,ATG 4-5 mg/(kg?d),5 days,methyprednisone 2-3 mg/(kg?d) to reduce anaphylaxis,CSA 3-5 mg/(kg?d),assisting with transfusion and G-CSF.Results The complete remission rate was 28.57%(2/7),the partial remission rate was 14.29%(1/7),and the obvious improvement rate was 28.57%(2/7),1 child died.The overall response rate was 71.43%.Transfusion volumes in 4 to 6 months post treatment decreased obviously comparing to the first 3 months(P

A retrospective study on enzyme replacement therapy in patients with Gaucher disease / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Gaucher disease is the most common lysosomal storage disorder. A deficiency of beta-glucocerebrosidase causes accumulation of the glucocerebroside in macrophages throughout the body. This study summarizes the effects of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with Imiglucerase in children with Gaucher disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data from 72 patients (46 were male and 26 female, age ranged from 16 months to 22 years, median 8 years and 8 months) who were treated in the hospital between May 1999 and October 2005 were collected and analyzed, 57 of the patients had type 1 Gaucher disease, 2 patients with type 2, and 13 patients with type 3. Twenty-two patients had undergone total splenectomy. Imiglucerase was given at an initial dose 60 U/kg body weight by intravenous infusion every 2 weeks. The dose was reduced to 45 U/kg when they had achieved the specified therapeutic goals after 2 years. Clinical outcome data of Imiglucerase treatment were collected using routine Gaucher clinical measures, including growth, hematology, liver and spleen 3-dimensional measurements, and skeletal assessments every 3 - 6 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three patients were lost to follow-up, 4 patients died, and 65 patients continued to receive the therapy. Hemoglobin and platelet levels of the patients with intact spleen increased most rapidly from the first 12 months of ERT (P < 0.01). Hemoglobin level of the patients who had undergone splenectomy determined at 30 months of treatment was higher than that of baseline (P < 0.01), but platelet levels were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The volumes of the liver decreased after the 6 months of ERT, decreased in average by (39 +/- 17)% at 24 months (P < 0.01). The volumes of spleen decreased after the 12 months of ERT by (59 +/- 21)% at 24 months (P < 0.01). During the first 12 month, the height and weight of the patients who were 2 - 12 years old increased (8.6 +/- 4.3) cm and (2.6 +/- 1.7) kg, respectively, and those of the patients who were 12 - 18 years old increased (5.2 +/- 3.9) cm and (4.5 +/- 3.3) kg, separately. Bone pain reported by 16 patients relieved after 3 months of treatment. But radiological evidence of bone disease did not change. The signs and symptoms of CNS involvement in patients with type 2 and type 3 disease were not improved. No serious adverse events were reported.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ERT with Imiglucerase could improve the quality of life of the patients with Gaucher disease by ameliorating the Gaucher disease-associated anemia, thrombocytopenia, organomegaly, growth retardation and bone pain.</p>