Treatment strategy and long-term results in paediatric patients treated in consecutive UK AML trials.

Between 1988 and 2002, 758 children with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) were treated on Medical Research Council (MRC) AML 10 and AML 12. MRC AML 10 tested the role of bone marrow transplantation following four blocks of intensive chemotherapy and found that while both allogeneic bone marrow transplant (allo-BMT) and autologous bone marrow transplant (A-BMT) significantly reduced the relapse risk (RR), this did not translate into a significant improvement in overall survival (OS). A risk group stratification based on cytogenetics and response to the first course of chemotherapy derived from MRC AML 10 was used to deliver risk-directed therapy in MRC AML 12. Allo-BMT was limited to standard and poor risk patients and A-BMT was not employed. Instead, the benefit of an additional block of treatment was tested by randomising children to receive either four or five blocks of treatment in total. While the results of MRC AML 12 remain immature, there appears to be no survival advantage for a fifth course of treatment. The 5 year OS, disease-free survival (DFS), event-free survival (EFS) and RR in MRC AML 12 are 66, 61, 56 and 35%, respectively; at present superior to MRC AML 10, which had a 5-year OS, DFS, EFS and RR of 58, 53, 49 and 42%, respectively. MRC AML trials employ a short course of triple intrathecal chemotherapy alone for CNS-directed treatment and CNS relapse is uncommon. Improvements in supportive care have contributed to improved outcomes and the number of deaths in remission fell between trials. Anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity remains a concern and the current MRC AML 15 trial tests the feasibility of reducing anthracycline dosage without compromising outcome by comparing standard MRC anthracycline-based consolidation with high-dose ara-C. MRC studies suggest that the role of allo-BMT is limited in 1st CR and that there may be a ceiling of benefit from current or conventional chemotherapy.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of hereditary spherocytosis.

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a heterogeneous group of disorders with regard to clinical severity, protein defects and mode of inheritance. It is relatively common in Caucasian populations; most affected individuals have mild or only moderate haemolysis. There is usually a family history, and a typical clinical and laboratory picture so that the diagnosis is often easily made without additional laboratory tests. Atypical cases may require measurement of erythrocyte membrane proteins to clarify the nature of the membrane disorder and in the absence of a family history, occasionally molecular genetic analysis will help to determine whether inheritance is recessive or non-dominant. It is particularly important to rule out stomatocytosis where splenectomy is contraindicated because of the thrombotic risk. Mild HS can be managed without folate supplements and does not require splenectomy. Moderately and severely affected individuals are likely to benefit from splenectomy, which should be performed after the age of 6 years and with appropriate counselling about the infection risk. In all cases careful dialogue between doctor, patient and the family is essential. Laparoscopic surgery, when performed by experienced surgeons, can result in a shorter hospital stay and less pain.

Childhood linear IgA disease in association with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome.

A child is described who had the signs of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome from an early age and later developed a blistering dermatosis that was shown to be childhood linear IgA disease.

Association of acute parvovirus B19 infection with new onset of acute lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukaemia.

AIMS: To investigate the association of acute parvovirus B19 infection with new onset of acute lymphoblastic and myeloblastic leukaemia. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) at diagnosis (n = 2) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) at diagnosis (n = 14) were analysed for parvovirus B19 DNA by means of nested polymerase chain reaction. In addition, samples from patients with benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) (n = 10) and hydrocephalus (n = 13) were tested as controls. RESULTS: Four leukaemia cases were positive-common ALL (n = 2), null cell ALL (n =1), and M7 AML (n = 1)-whereas all controls were negative (Yates corrected chi(2) value, 3.97; p = 0.046; odds ratio, 16.92; confidence interval, 1.03 to 77.18). All four patients were significantly anaemic, but none was encephalitic or had evidence of central nervous system leukaemia. In three of these patients, serum tumour necrosis alpha, interferon gamma, interleukin 6, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (range, 34.93-3800.06 pg/ml), and macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 were detectable. All of these four patients carried at least one of the HLA-DRB1 alleles, which have been associated with symptomatic parvovirus B19 infection. CONCLUSION: Erythroid suppression and immune cell proliferation are both associated with B19 infection and may also be important in the pathogenesis of acute leukaemia.

Clinical features, cytogenetics and outcome in acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukaemia of infancy: report from the MRC Childhood Leukaemia working party.

The clinical features, cytogenetics and response to treatment have been examined in 180 infants (aged <1 year) with acute leukaemia; 118 with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and 62 with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Comparison of clinical features showed no difference in age or sex distribution between infants with ALL and AML but infants with ALL tended to have higher leucocyte counts at presentation. Cytogenetic abnormalities involving 11q23 were found in 66% of ALL and 35% of AML cases, the commonest, t(4;11) being found only in ALL. The other recognised 11q23 translocations were found in both types of leukaemia. Few patients had the common cytogenetic abnormalities associated with ALL in older children and few with AML had good risk abnormalities. Four year event-free survival 60% cf 30% (P = 0.001) and survival 65% cf 41% (P = 0.007) were significantly better in AML than ALL. These results were due to a lower risk of relapse 27% cf 62% at four years. Superior event-free survival was also seen in the subgroup of patients with 11q23 abnormalities and AML (55% cf 23%). The reasons for superior response in AML are unknown but may be related to the intensity of treatment, lineage of the leukaemia or other as yet unidentified factors.

Relationships between age at diagnosis, clinical features, and outcome of therapy in children treated in the Medical Research Council AML 10 and 12 trials for acute myeloid leukemia.

Between May 1988 and June 2000, 698 children were treated in the Medical Research Council acute myeloid leukemia 10 and 12 trials. The presenting features and outcomes of therapy in these children were compared by age. Although there was no single cutoff in age, younger children were more likely to have intermediate risk and less likely to have favorable cytogenetics (P <.001), and they had a higher incidence of translocations involving chromosome 11q23 (P <.001). The distribution of French-American-British (FAB) types also varied with age; FAB types M5 (P <.001) and M7 (P <.001) were more common in early childhood, whereas older children were more likely to have FAB types M0 (P =.03), M1 (P =.04), M2 (P =.005), and M3 (P <.001). Involvement of the central nervous system at diagnosis was also more common in the youngest children (P =.01). Younger children had more severe diarrhea (P =.002), whereas older children had worse nausea and vomiting (P =.01) after chemotherapy. When adjusted for other important factors, complete remission rates were similar (P =.5) and although there was less resistant disease in younger children (P =.003), this was partially balanced by a slight increase in deaths during induction therapy in younger patients (P =.06). On multivariate analysis overall survival (P =.02), event-free survival (P =.02), and disease-free survival were better (P =.06) in younger children due to a lower relapse rate (P =.02) especially in the bone marrow (P =.02).

Cytomegalovirus infection in infants with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS).

Fas-mediated apoptosis may be one of the effector pathways leading to the elimination of virus-infected cells. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in two brothers with Fas deficiency associated with autoimmunity and benign lymphoproliferation (ALPS) provided a unique opportunity to study the clinical course of CMV infection in children with defective apoptosis. The clinical courses of two brothers with autosomal dominant ALPS who were infected with CMV in the neonatal period are described. CMV was detected from throat and urine culture from the brothers. ALPS was confirmed by in vitro anti-CD95 MoAb-induced T lymphocyte apoptosis assay and subsequent sequencing and identification of mutations in the Fas gene. A de novo mutation in the Fas gene, leading to a truncated cytoplasmic Fas product, was associated with autosomal dominant ALPS in a mother and her two sons. Both boys had evidence of CMV infection acquired early in infancy which cleared by the age of 2-3 years. There were no neurodevelopmental sequelae. The natural history of CMV infection in two infants with ALPS was similar to that described in normal children.

A simple, robust, validated and highly predictive index for the determination of risk-directed therapy in acute myeloid leukaemia derived from the MRC AML 10 trial. United Kingdom Medical Research Council's Adult and Childhood Leukaemia Working Parties.

Data on 1711 patients, aged up to 55 years, in the MRC AML 10 trial were used to create a prognostic index for use in risk-directed therapy decision making for younger patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Two parameters, response after course 1 and cytogenetics, were strongly predictive of outcome. For patients with complete remission, partial remission and resistant disease, 5-year survival from the start of course 2 was 53%, 44% and 22% and relapse rates were 46%, 48% and 69% respectively, and for patients with favourable, intermediate and adverse karyotypic abnormalities, survival was 72%, 43% and 17% and relapse rates were 34%, 51% and 75% respectively (all P < 0.0001). Patients with FAB type M3 but no cytogenetic t(15;17) also had a low relapse rate (29%). These three factors were combined to give three risk groups: good (favourable karyotype or M3, irrespective of response status or presence of additional abnormalities), standard (neither good nor poor), poor (adverse karyotype or resistant disease, and no good-risk features). Survival for these three groups was 70%, 48% and 15% respectively and relapse rates were 33%. 50% and 78% (both P < 0.0001). The index is simple (based on just three parameters), robust (derived from 1711 patients), highly discriminatory (55% survival difference between good and poor risk) and validated, so can be applied in the clinical setting to assist with therapeutic decisions as in the current AML 12 trial.

Failure of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation to correct Diamond-Blackfan anaemia despite haemopoietic stem cell engraftment.

We report the case of a 10-year-old boy with congenital pure red cell aplasia (Diamond-Blackfan anaemia) who received an allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) from his HLA-identical sister. The transplant was complicated by moderate veno-occlusive disease (VOD). Despite cytogenetic evidence of complete donor haemopoietic stem cell engraftment there was selective failure of red cell engraftment and he remains red cell transfusion-dependent. This is the first case of a stem cell transplant failing to correct the defect in this condition despite engraftment.

Treatment-related deaths during induction and first remission of acute myeloid leukaemia in children treated on the Tenth Medical Research Council acute myeloid leukaemia trial (MRC AML10). The MCR Childhood Leukaemia Working Party.

Between 1988 and 1995, 341 children with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) were treated on the Medical Research Council Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Trial (MRC AML10). The 5-year overall survival was 57%, much improved on previous trials. However, there were 47 deaths (13. 8%), 11 of which were associated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The treatment-related mortality was significant at 13.8%, but decreased in the latter half of the trial from 17.8% in 1998-91 to 9. 6% in 1992-95 (P = 0.03%). The main causes of death were infection (65.9%), haemorrhage (19.1%) and cardiac failure (19.1%). Fungal infection was a significant problem, causing 23% of all infective deaths. Haemorrhage occurred early in treatment, in children with initial white cell counts >100 x 109/l (P = 0.001), and was more common in those with M4 and M5 morphology. Cardiac failure only occurred from the third course of chemotherapy onwards, with 78% (7/9) in conjunction with sepsis as a terminal event. Some deaths could be prevented by identifying those most at risk, and with prompt recognition and aggressive management of complications of treatment. Future options include the prophylactic use of antifungal agents, and the use of cardioprotectants or alternatives to conventional anthracyclines to decrease cardiac toxicity.

Subgroups of frequent users of an inpatient mental health program at a community hospital in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: The study examined demographic and clinical characteristics of frequent users of mental health services at a large community hospital in an urban-suburban area in Canada to identify subgroups within this patient population. METHODS: Patients who had had three or more inpatient admissions over any 12-month period between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1995, were included in the study. Medical records were reviewed to collect summary data on 23 variables encompassing demographic characteristics and admission and discharge information. Quick cluster analysis was performed to identify subgroups within the frequent-user population. Chi square tests and analysis of variance were used to analyze group differences between clusters. RESULTS: Three patient subgroups accounted for 67 of the 83 patients (80.7 percent) identified as frequent users. Admission patterns were the strongest predictors of subgroup differences. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying subgroups within the frequent-user population may help in developing appropriate treatment and discharge plans with the aim of reducing the need for frequent utilization of inpatient mental health services.

Outcome for children with relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia following initial therapy in the Medical Research Council (MRC) AML 10 trial. MRC Childhood Leukaemia Working Party.

Between May 1988 and March 1995, 359 children with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) were treated in the MRC AML 10 trial. Three risk groups were identified based on cytogenetics and response to treatment. One hundred and twenty-five children relapsed--103 in the bone marrow only, 12 in the bone marrow combined with other sites, and six had isolated extramedullary relapses (site was not known in four cases). Eighty-seven children received further combination chemotherapy, one all-trans retinoic acid for acute promyelocytic leukaemia, and one a matched unrelated donor allograft in relapse, and 61 achieved a second remission. One patient with no details on reinduction therapy also achieved second remission. Treatment in second remission varied--44 children received a BMT (22 autografts, 12 matched unrelated donor allografts, 10 family donor allografts), and 17 were treated with chemotherapy alone. The overall survival rate for all children (treated and untreated) was 24% at 3 years, with a disease-free survival of 44% for those achieving a second remission. Length of first remission was the most important factor affecting response rates--children with a first remission of less than 1 year fared poorly (second remission rate 36%, 3 year survival 11%), whereas those with longer first remissions had a higher response rate (second remission rate 75%, 3 year survival 49%, P < 0.0001).

Lack of association between childhood common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and an HLA-C locus dimorphism influencing the specificity of natural killer cells.

Previous serological studies documenting an association between acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and HLA-Cw antigens suggested that the HLA-C locus might influence susceptibility to ALL. However, associations with more than one Cw antigen suggest that polymorphic variants shared by more than Cw allele could be involved. Recent studies have shown that the HLA-C locus encodes two ligands (NK1 and NK2) recognized by receptors on natural killer (NK) cells. HLA-Cw alleles encoding these ligands are dimorphic, dependent on whether they encode one or other NK ligand. To determine whether susceptibility to the common (CD10+) form of childhood ALL (c-ALL) is associated with NK1 or NK2, we carried out a molecular analysis of 94 childhood c-ALL patients and 136 infant controls. We found no difference in the frequency of NK1 and NK2 alleles, phenotypes or genotypes between the patients and controls, suggesting that this does not explain the role of the HLA-C locus in susceptibility to childhood c-ALL.

Evidence that an HLA-DQA1-DQB1 haplotype influences susceptibility to childhood common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in boys provides further support for an infection-related aetiology.

Comparison of DQA1 and DQB1 alleles in 60 children with common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (c-ALL) and 78 newborn infant control subjects revealed that male but not female patients had a higher frequency of DQA1*0101/*0104 and DQB1*0501 than appropriate control subjects. The results suggest a male-associated susceptibility haplotype in c-ALL and supports an infectious aetiology.

Seasonal variations in the onset of childhood leukaemia and lymphoma.

Infection has long been suspected as a possible factor in the aetiology of leukaemia and lymphoma. If seasonal variation in the onset of disease could be shown in any of the diagnostic subgroups of leukaemia or lymphoma, this would provide supportive evidence of an aetiology linked to exposure to infection. All cases in the Manchester Children's Tumour Registry (aged 0-14 years at diagnosis) with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia (ANLL), Hodgkin's disease (HD) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) between 1 January 1954 and 31 December 1996 were included in an analysis of seasonal variation in the month of first symptom and the month of diagnosis. Cases of common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (c-ALL) diagnosed from 1979 onwards were also analysed separately. The groups considered for analysis were: all cases of ALL (n = 1070), ALL diagnosed between 18 and 95 months of age (n = 730), ALL diagnosed over 95 months of age (n = 266), c-ALL (n = 309), ANLL (n = 244), all infant acute leukaemias (ALL and ANLL under 18 months; n = 107), HD (n = 166) and NHL (n = 189). Using the Edwards method, both c-ALL and HD demonstrated significant seasonal variation (P = 0.037 and 0.001 respectively) in date of first symptom, with peaks occurring in November and December respectively. Using this method, no indication of seasonal variation was found in the other diagnostic groups for date of first symptom or in any of the diagnostic groups for date of diagnosis. For comparison with a previous study, a further analysis based on date of diagnosis for all ALL cases, using summer-winter ratios, showed a significant summer excess. These results provide supportive evidence for an infectious aetiology for c-ALL and HD, and possibly for all ALL, which warrants further investigation.

Marked improvements in outcome with chemotherapy alone in paediatric acute myeloid leukemia: results of the United Kingdom Medical Research Council's 10th AML trial. MRC Childhood Leukaemia Working Party.

359 eligible children with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) entered the MRC AML 10 trial between May 1988 and March 1995. Patients received four courses of intensive induction and consolidation chemotherapy, with or without subsequent autologous (A-BMT) or allogeneic (allo-BMT) bone marrow transplant. There were randomized comparisons of thioguanine versus etoposide in induction and of A-BMT versus not. Allo-BMT was recommended for patients with a HLA-matched sibling and was evaluated by donor versus no donor comparison. The complete remission rate was 92%. In first remission there were 20 deaths during consolidation chemotherapy and 11 after BMT (8/61 allo-BMTs. 1/60 A-BMTs and 2/4 matched unrelated donor transplants). The relapse rate was low, decreasing from 26% in the first year to 2% in the fourth. Long-term outcome was excellent with survival at 7 years from entry of 56% and event-free survival of 48%. There were no significant differences between thioguanine and etoposide, whereas both A-BMT and allo-BMT reduced relapse risk but did not produce a significant survival benefit. It appears that over half the children entered into AML 10 are cured, a result which compares favourably with other reported series. We conclude that four courses of intensive chemotherapy are an effective approach to the treatment of paediatric AML, which avoids the acute toxicity and long-term side-effects of BMT and also avoids the need for prolonged maintenance therapy or cranial irradiation.