Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells express CCR7 but not higher amounts of IL-10 after CD40 ligation.

OBJECTIVE: Production of cytokines that support T-cell activation and proliferation and migration to lymph nodes is one of the most important terms of cancer vaccine development. In previous studies we and others used CD40 ligation to obtain higher expression of co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules on leukaemic cells from children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). This time we assess the cytokine and chemokine gene expression profile in CD40-stimulated ALL cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Malignant cells from 25 children with BCP-ALL were stimulated (or not) with huCD40LT and rIL-4 for 96 h. Eleven different molecule, cytokine and chemokine mRNAs levels (CCR7, IL-23, TGF-beta-IP, IFN-gamma, IL-10, CD1a, CD40, CD54, CD80, CD83, CD86) were determined using the real-time PCR technique with TaqMan chemistry using ready-to-use low-density arrays for gene expression by Applied Biosystems. RESULTS: 1) Increases in mRNA levels for CD40, CD54 and CD80 after CD40L and IL-4 stimulation were observed, 2) CCR7 mRNA expression was higher after CD40 ligation than before the culture (p = 0.002), 3) IL-10 mRNA expression was higher after the culture with medium than before the culture (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that leukaemia-derived dendritic cells obtained with CD40 ligation express CCR7 - chemokine is involved in migration to lymph nodes and does not produce higher amounts of IL-10, a potent immunosuppressive cytokine. Our preclinical findings could be used in the design of immunotherapy trials for the treatment of children with ALL.

In vitro sensitivity of leukemic cells to nucleoside derivatives in childhood acute leukemias: good activity in leukemic relapses.

Nucleoside analogues such as fludarabine and cladribine are used in therapy of indolent lymphomas and leukemias in adults, while cytarabine is used mainly in protocols for acute leukemias. Mechanisms of their activity is based on inhibition of enzymes involved in DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. The objective of the study was the analysis of in vitro cellular drug sensitivity in childhood acute lymphoblastic (ALL) and myeloid (AML) leukemia. Isolated leukemic cells obtained from 264 patients, including 152 initial ALL, 45 relapsed ALL, 54 initial AML and 13 relapsed AML were tested for cytotoxicity for fludarabine, cladribine, and cytarabine by the MTT assay. Drug concentration lethal to 50% of tested cells was regarded as a value of drug resistance. Three tested nucleoside analogues showed highest cytotoxicity against initial ALL samples. Samples of relapsed ALL and initial AML were more resistant than ALL de novo ones. Unexpectedly, no differences were observed between initial and relapsed AML samples for all tested drugs, what suggests that nucleoside analogues are active drugs in relapsed AML, which is commonly regarded as a resistant disease. All tested drugs presented significant cross-resistance in each of analyzed subgroups. In summary, tested nucleoside analogues presented relatively good activity against childhood leukemias at relapse stage.

[Deafness, as a complication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia in a 9-year old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. / Gluchota, jako powiklanie posocznicy wywolanej paleczka ropy blekitnej u 9-letniego chlopca chorujacego na ostra bialaczka limfoblastyczna.

We described natural history of Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia in 9 year old boy, who was treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After 14 day treatment of ALL the following signs and symptoms occurred: fever, earache with otorhoea, deafness, bilateral peripheral paralysis of n. VII, erythema, pneumonia, paralytic ileus. After 4 weeks of antimicrobial and supportive therapy, in the 10th week of chemotherapy, he achieved haematological remission. During continuation therapy, two-stage bilateral myringoplasty was performed. At present the maintenance therapy is continued, and in the future hearing aid and cochlear implant, will be applied.

Serum soluble L-selectin in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Determination of the serum level of soluble (s)L-selectin has been advocated for monitoring patient response to treatment in leukemia. The aim of the present study was to find out whether serum levels of sL-selectin correlated with treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum samples were obtained from 30 children with ALL, either newly diagnosed during induction therapy, in remission, in maintenance therapy, at the end of treatment or after relapse. Levels of sL-selectin were assayed in the serum of children during the clinical course of ALL using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. Serum sL-selectin concentrations decreased significantly from diagnosis to the end of intensive chemotherapy in children with ALL and increased in the time of relapse. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that monitoring of sL-selectin may be useful for evaluating leukemia activity.

[Results of the treatment for infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated in the program Dana-Faber Cancer Institute. Report of Polish Pediatric Study Group for Leukemia and Lymphoma]. / Wstepne wyniki leczenia niemowlat chorych na ostra bialaczke limfoblastyczna leczonych programem Dana-Faber Cancer Institute--Raport Polskiej Pediatrycznej Grupy ds. Leczenia Bialaczek i Chloniaków.

We present courses and treatment's results in 8 infants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated according Dana-Faber Cancer Institute protocol between 1994-1998 year. Complete remission (RC) was achieved in 8 children. Relapses were diagnosed between 6 to 20 month, only one achieved II RC. Four children are alive: in I RC-2, in II RC-1, in partial remission 1 and the treatment was ended in one. Treatment's results in infants with ALL are still unsatisfactory.

[The evaluation of peripheral blood lymphoid cells in children in remission a year after the cessation of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma type non-B]. / Ocena immunofenotypu komórek limfoidalnych krwi obwodowej u dzieci pozostajacych w remisji rok od zakonczenia leczenia ostrej bialaczki limfoblastycznej i nieziarniczego chloniaka zlosliwego typu non B.

Immunophenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes was studied in 10 children after the cessation of treatment acute lymphoblastic leukemia and in 3 after non Hodgkin's lymphoma non-B. They all were in complete remission. Peripheral blood lymphocytes cells were analysed by flow cytometric analysis. Estimate surface antigens were estimated: CD3, CD19, CD4, CD8, CD3-16+ 56+. The results were compared with data obtained in children not treated because of neoplastic diseases. Our results showed that the absolute number of lymphocytes T(CD3+), TS (CD8+) and NK cells were significantly increased in the study group.

[The problem of blood transfusion ++ in Jehova's Witnesses' children with oncological disease]. / Problem przetaczania krwi w chorobach nowotworowych ukladu krwiotwórczego u dzieci wyznawców swiadków Jehowy.

We present 2 cases of Jehovah's Witnesses' children suffering from oncological diseases (non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia). During their treatment we used erythropoietin and no blood products were transfused.

Sialic acid concentration in different stages of malignant lymphoma and leukemia in children.

Sialic acid concentration in the blood serum of 104 children suffering from leukemia and malignant lymphomas was determined. A significant higher concentration of sialic acid was found at the onset of the disease, compared to the controls. In the group of children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia a dependence was noted between the stage of the disease and the concentration of sialic acid in the serum. The high concentration of sialic acid at the onset of the disease, although decreasing during treatment, rose again during relapses of the disease. It seems that determination of sialic acid concentration may be useful in monitoring treatment.

[Physiological and pathophysiological role of histamine in the gastrointestinal tract]. / Rola histaminy w przewodzie pokarmowym w stanach fizjologii i patologii.

In this paper, the authors discuss problems concerning the role played by histamine in various physiological and pathological processes in the gastrointestinal tract. The synthesis and metabolism of histamine is described. Apart from participation in many physiological processes, e.g. secretion of gastric juice, histamine takes part in many pathological reactions occurring in celiac disease, food allergy and inflammatory bowel diseases.

[Cat-scratch disease as a diagnostic problem of lymphadenopathy]. / Choroba kociego pazura--trudnosci diagnostyczne.

The diagnosis of cat-scratch disease is based on history and clinical symptoms. We present a case of a 4-year-old girl admitted to our unit with suspicion of histiocytosis X after histologic evaluation of a submandibular lymph node biopsy. On the basis of history, clinical features and histologic reevaluation, the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease was made.

[Non-Hodgkin gastric lymphoma in a 14-year-old boy]. / Nieziarniczy chloniak zlosliwy zoladka u 14-letniego chlopca.

Lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract in children are localized most often in the ileocoecal region. We described a rare case of gastric lymphoma in 14-year-old boy.

[Rosai-Dorfman syndrome in a 17 year old boy as a diagnostic problem of lymphadenopathy]. / Zespól Rosai-Dorfmana u 17 letniego chlopca jako problem diagnostyczny limfadenopatii.

Rosai-Dorfman syndrome of Sinus Histiocytosis with Massive Lymphadenopathy is a benign disorder of unknown etiology which is characterized by proliferation of phagocytic-like cells that infiltrate tissues. We present here a case of a 17 years old boy with the enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes who developed this disease. The diagnosis was established by the histopathological examination. There was no evidence of recurrence during the 18 months of follow up.