Jolanta Skalska-Sadowska

Ph‐negative isolated myeloid sarcoma with NPM1 gene mutation in adolescent with Ph‐positive chronic myeloid leukemia in remission after treatment with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and imatinib mesylate

Few patients in remission of Ph‐positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develop Ph‐negative MDS/AML, usually with clonal cytogenetic abnormalities. Isolated Ph‐negative myeloid sarcoma (MS) is presented here as a form of such disorder, different from Ph‐positive MS establishing CML relapse in blastic phase. We describe 11‐year‐old male who developed Ph‐negative isolated MS with NPM1 mutation, remaining in complete molecular remission of Ph‐positive chronic myeloid leukemia treated with allo‐HSCT in first chronic phase and with imatinib and donor lymphocyte infusion in molecular relapse. The possible mechanisms of the tumor formation are reviewed with stress on importance of comprehensive molecular/cytogenetic evaluations. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1070–1071.

Outcome of refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia in children treated during 2005–2011 – experience of the Polish Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group (PPLLSG)

Aim of the study Recent studies showed relatively better outcome for children with refractory (refAML) and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (relAML). Treatment of these patients has not been unified within Polish Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group (PPLLSG) so far. The goal of this study is to analyze the results of this therapy performed between 2005–2011. Material and methods The outcome data of 16 patients with refAML and 62 with relAML were analyzed retrospectively. Reinduction was usually based on idarubicine, fludarabine and cytarabine with allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) in 5 refAML and 30 relAML children. Results Seventy seven percent relAML patients entered second complete remission (CR2). Five-year OS and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated at 16% and 30%. The outcome for patients after alloHSCT in CR2 (63%) was better than that of those not transplanted (36%) with 5-year OS of 34% vs. 2-year of 7% and 5-year DFS of 40% vs. 12.5%. Second complete remission achievement and alloHSCT were the most significant predictors of better prognosis (p = 0.000 and p = 0.024). The outcome of refAML children was significantly worse than relAML with first remission (CR1) rate of 33%, OS and DFS of 25% at 3 years and 53% at 2 years, respectively. All survivors of refAML were treated with alloHSCT after CR1. Conclusions The uniform reinduction regimen of the documented efficacy and subsequent alloHSCT in remission is needed to improve the outcome for ref/relAML children treated within PPLLSG. The focus should be on the future risk-directed both front and second line AML therapy.

Myeloid sarcoma in children – diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a malignant extramedullary tumour, which consists of immature cells of myeloid origin. It may occur de novo, concurrently or precede the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). MS can also be a manifestation of the relapse of the disease. The more frequent sites of involvement are the skin, orbit, bone, periosteum, lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract, soft tissue, central nervous system and testis. Because of its different localization and symptoms, and the lack of diagnostics algorithm, myeloid sarcoma is a real diagnostic challenge, in particular in patients without initial bone marrow involvement. The correct diagnosis of MS is important for adequate therapy, which is often delayed because of a high misdiagnosis rate. In the paper, the role of immunohistochemistry, cytogenetic and molecular genetic analyses is emphasized as well as the breadth of unclear aspects of this disorder in children.

Translocation t(8;14)(q24;q11) with concurrent PTEN alterations and deletions of STIL/TAL1 and CDKN2A/B in a pediatric case of acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia: A genetic profile associated with adverse prognosis

We report a pediatric case of acute T‐lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL) with NOTCH1wt, FBXW7wt, STIL/TAL1, and PTEN (exons 2, 3, 4, 5) monoallelic deletions, biallelic CDKN2A/B deletion, and a minor t(8;14)(q24;q11)‐positive subclone. Undetectable by a flow cytometric minimal residual disease assay, the t(8;14)(q24;q11) subclone expanded as detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization from 5% at diagnosis to 26% before consolidation and 100% at relapse bearing a monoallelic deletion (exons 2, 3) with a new frameshift mutation of PTEN and the same set of remaining molecular alterations. This case documents an unfavorable prognostic potential of a co‐occurrence of this set of molecular genetic events and addresses risk stratification in T‐ALL.

Correction to: Health status of Polish children and adolescents after cancer treatment

The first and family names of the authors were interchanged. The correct author names are now correctly presented in this article.