Massimo Eraldo Abate

Phase II trial of temozolomide in children with recurrent high-grade glioma

SummaryPurposeThe objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of Temozolomide (TMZ) administered for 5 consecutive days in three daily dosing in children with recurrent or refractory high-grade glioma.Patients and methodsTwenty-four patients with a median age of 10.5xa0years were enrolled onto this open-label, multicenter, phase II study. The patients were previously treated with surgical resection (17 of 24), radiotherapy (19 of 24) and chemotherapy (18 of 24). Therapy was administered orally three times a day for 5 consecutive days at the dose of 200xa0mg/m2/d×5 for chemotherapy naive patients. In patients heavily pretreated with chemotherapy the starting dose was of 150xa0mg/m2/d×5.ResultsA total of 95 cycles were administered. The median progression free-survival (PFS) was 3xa0months for the entire group while disease stabilization was obtained in 7 patients (29.1%), all with supratentorial tumors. No CR or PR was observed. TMZ treatment showed a limited toxicity. Thrombocytopenia was the most common hematological adverse effect.Our data suggest a marginal activity of TMZ in children with recurrent high-grade glioma.

Temozolomide is an active agent in children with recurrent medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor: an Italian multi-institutional phase II trial

BACKGROUNDnThe aim of this study was to assess the objective response rate (ORR) of children and young adults with recurrent medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (MB/PNET) treated with temozolomide (TMZ). The secondary purpose was to analyze the toxicity profile of TMZ when administered orally for 5 days in 3 divided daily doses every 28 days.nnnMETHODSnForty-two patients with recurrent MB/PNET, aged 21 years and younger, were recruited. Patients were treated with oral TMZ. Starting doses ranged from 120 to 200 mg/m(2)/day based on previous treatments. A craniospinal MRI was performed prior to the first cycle of TMZ and following every 2 cycles of treatment.nnnRESULTSnMedian age was 10 years (range, 2-21 years). Forty of 42 patients were assessed for response and toxicity. The objective response rate was 42.5%: 6 patients achieved a complete response, 11 had a partial response, and 10 had stable disease. Progression-free survival rates for all patients at 6 and 12 months were 30% and 7.5%, respectively. Their median overall survival rates at 6 and 12 months were 42.5% and 17.5%, respectively. No major extrahematological effects or life-threatening events were reported. The most common grade 3/4 toxicity included thrombocytopenia (17.5%), neutropenia (7.5%), and anemia (2.5%).nnnCONCLUSIONSnTMZ proved to be an effective agent in children and young adults with MB/PNET, heavily pre-treated, with a tolerable toxicity profile.

Chemotherapy-related toxicity in patients with non-metastatic Ewing sarcoma: influence of sex and age

Abstract Influence of age and sex on chemotherapy-related toxicity was evaluated in children (3–9 years), adolescents (10–17 years), and adults (up to 40 years) with localized Ewing sarcoma (ES) enrolled in the ISG/SSG III protocol. Treatment was based on vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, dactinomycin, and etoposide. High-dose chemotherapy with busulfan and melphalan was given in poor responder patients. The analysis was based on 2191 courses of standard chemotherapy and 230 patients. A lower risk of G4 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, hospitalization, febrile neutropenia, and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions was observed in males. Use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was more frequent in adults, while children more often received RBC transfusions. A significant correlation between sex and chemotherapy-related toxicity was observed in the study, whereas no significant differences in terms of bone marrow toxicity can be expected according to patient age. Further studies should analyse the role of pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, and clinical characteristics.

Unusual sites of Ewing sarcoma (ES): a retrospective multicenter 30-year experience of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP) and Italian Sarcoma Group (ISG).

PURPOSEnThe aim of this study was to describe the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP) and Italian Sarcoma Group (ISG) experience from 1980 to 2009 on 112 patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES) occurring in unusual sites such as the craniofacial bones (CF), hands or feet (HF), or the mobile spine. These sites were grouped because their rarity as ES localisations.nnnPATIENT AND METHODSnTwenty-six patients had CF ES (23%), 37 patients had HF ES (33%) and 49 patients had mobile spine ES (44%). A total of 26 patients presented with synchronous metastatic disease (23%). The local treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy differed among ES sites. Systemic therapy was administrated according to the protocols in use over the years.nnnRESULTSnFrom the data available, the histological/radiological response was higher for HF-patients even not statistical significant (good responders: CF 41%, HF 65% and mobile spine 39%, P = 0.NS) and the probability of achieving complete response was similar among the three sites (CF 87%, HF 83% and spine 74%, P = 0.44). Ten year overall survival (OS) was 61% (95% confidence interval [CI] 39-82), 63% (95% CI 37-89) and 64% (95% CI 49-79) for CF, HF or vertebral ES, respectively (P = NS). Ten year OS for non-metastatic patients was 60% (95% CI 36-83), 75% (95% CI 56-94) and 67% (95% CI 47-89) for CF, HF and mobile spine patients respectively (P = NS). Ten year OS was 45% (95% CI, 31-84) and 70% (95% CI, 61-85, [p = 0.01]) for metastatic and localised ES, respectively.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe probability of successful treatment did not differ from ES of the extremities. Furthermore, our series confirm the poor prognosis for patients with metastatic disease. Our data do not strengthen the need for a specific protocol for unusual site ES.

Analysis of risk factors for central venous catheter-related complications: a prospective observational study in pediatric patients with bone sarcomas.

Background: The incidence of central venous catheter (CVC)–related complications reported in pediatric sarcoma patients is not established as reports in available literature are limited. The analysis of risk factors is part of the strategy to reduce the incidence of CVC complications. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of CVC complications in children with bone sarcomas and if defined clinical variables represent a risk factor. Methods: During an 8-year period, 155 pediatric patients with bone sarcomas were prospectively followed up for CVC complications. Incidence and correlation with clinical features including gender, age, body mass index, histology, disease stage, and use of thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin were analyzed. Results: Thirty-three CVC complications were recorded among 42 687 CVC-days (0.77 per 1000 CVC-days). No correlation between the specific clinical variables and the CVC complications was found. A high incidence of CVC-related sepsis secondary to gram-negative bacteria was observed. Conclusions: The analysis of CVC complications and their potential risk factors in this sizable and relatively homogeneous pediatric population with bone sarcomas has led to the implementation of a multimodal approach by doctors and nurses to reduce the incidence and morbidity of the CVC-related infections, particularly those related to gram-negative bacteria. Implications for Practice: As a result of this joint medical and nursing study, a multimodal approach that included equipping faucets with water filters, the reeducation of doctors and nurses, and the systematic review of CVC protocol was implemented.

Denosumab in patients with aneurysmal bone cysts: A case series with preliminary results

Purpose: Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare skeletal tumor usually treated with surgery/embolization. We hypothesized that owing to similarities with giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB), denosumab was active also in ABC. Methods: In this observational study, a retrospective analysis of ABC patients treated with denosumab was performed. Patients underwent radiologic disease assessment every 3 months. Symptoms and adverse events were noted. Results: Nine patients were identified (6 male, 3 female), with a median age of 17 years (range 14–42 years). Primary sites were 6 spine–pelvis, 1 ulna, 1 tibia, and 1 humerus. Patients were followed for a median time of 23 months (range 3–55 months). Patients received a median of 8 denosumab administrations (range 3–61). All symptomatic patients had pain relief and 1 had paresthesia improvement. Signs of denosumab activity were observed after 3 to 6 months of administration: bone formation by computed tomography scan was demonstrated in all patients and magnetic resonance imaging gadolinium contrast media decrease was observed in 7/9 patients. Adverse events were negligible. At last follow-up, all patients were progression-free: 5 still on denosumab treatment, 2 off denosumab were disease-free 11 and 17 months after surgery, and the last 2 patients reported no progression 12 and 24 months after denosumab interruption and no surgery. Conclusions: Denosumab has substantial activity in ABCs, with favorable toxicity profile. We strongly support the use of surgery and/or embolization for the treatment of ABC, but denosumab could have a role as a therapeutic option in patients with uncontrollable, locally destructive, or recurrent disease.

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease after high-dose intravenous busulfan/melphalan conditioning therapy in high-risk Ewing Sarcoma

This mono-institutional observational study was conducted to determine incidence, severity, risk factors, and outcome of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease (SOS/VOD) in high-risk Ewing sarcoma (ES) patients treated with intravenous busulfan and melphalan (BU-MEL) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). During the past 10 years, 75 consecutive ES patients resulted evaluable for the analysis. After diagnosis of SOS/VOD, defibrotide therapy was started as soon as the medication was available. The variables analyzed as potential risk factors were: gender, patients age at diagnosis, primary tumor site, disease stage, and prior radiation therapy (RT) given, focusing on RT liver exposure. The median age at diagnosis was 18.8 years. Five patients developed moderate to severe SOS/VOD (cumulative incidence, 6.67%). None of 32 pediatric patients (≤17 years) developed SOS/VOD (pu2009=u20090.0674). In univariate analysis, prior RT liver exposure resulted statistically significant (pu2009=u20090.0496). There was one death due to severe SOS/VOD. This study reports the largest series of high-risk ES patients treated with intravenous BU-MEL before ASCT. The incidence of SOS/VOD was lower when compared with other studies that used oral busulfan. Any prior RT liver exposure should be avoided. Earlier defibrotide treatment confirms to be effective.

Pazopanib in relapsed osteosarcoma patients: report on 15 cases

Osteosarcoma is a rare bone tumor that occurs in young adults with a subsequent peak in the fifth decade. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery cure approximately 60% of patients with l...

Erratum to: Osteosarcoma follow-up: chest X-ray or computed tomography?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13569-017-0067-5.].