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Leukemia is associated with exposure to radiation, benzene derivatives, and pesticides. Previous research has documented an increase in work-related leukemia in the Latin American Andean region. To date, there are only few studies in Ecuador on the impact of oil exploitation on adjacent indigenous communities. Our study aims to show the impact of leukemia on the working-age population. For the calculation of morbidity and mortality rates, we used hospital discharge and death records from the National Institute of Statistics of Ecuador. These data were collected and adjusted to the corresponding province’s population for further analysis. Large differences were observed between provinces in adjusted rates of leukemia mortality and morbidity in the working-age population. The variations in altitude among different areas in Ecuador give the provinces a distinct geographic identity. Likewise, the provinces with the highest morbidity and mortality rankings, such as Azuay, Loja, Imbabura, and Tungurahua, have an average altitude above 2000 meters. As a result, there are variations in the average temperature, exposure to solar and cosmic radiation, and mining and farming methods. The observed differences warrant the future collection of geolocation data for affected individuals. This could help to better understand how leukemia cases have demographic hotspots in the country, identify possible risk factors associated with the disease in each region, and design more effective prevention and control strategies.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome, resulting from a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 that gives rise to the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. The Ph chromosome is present in 95 % of CML cases. In 5 %-10 % of these cases Ph variants occur and, approximately 5 % of these cases present with additional chromosomal abnormalities (ACAs). In this work we describe the prevalence of chromosome abnormalities in a sample of Colombian CML patients. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, analyzing cytogenetic and molecular data from 142 CML patients. Data were collected between 2016 and 2019 at the laboratory of Biogenética Diagnóstica S.A.S. Among the 142 patients were analyzed, 56 % were male, and the average age was 45 years. The Ph chromosome was observed in 81 % of the cases. Three-way chromosome variants involving chromosomes 3, 7, and 8 were detected. The most frequent additional chromosomal aberration was +der(22)t(9;22). Atypical patterns associated with poor prognosis were found, via FISH analyses, in 88.2 % of the patients. The BCR-ABL1 fusion gene was detected in 100 % of the 18 patients subjected RT-PCR tests. This retrospective study reveals intriguing findings regarding chromosomal abnormalities in Colombian patients with CML, including rare three-way chromosome variants and atypical FISH patterns associated with a poor prognosis. Further investigation is warranted to explore the clinical implications, prognosis, and survival outcomes associated with these cytogenetic findings in CML patients.

Leukemic cells often show high nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. These can lead to resistance to apoptosis and therapy and increased proliferation. Plant-derived extracts decrease chemoresistance in cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the plant-derived extracts P2Et (Caesalpinia spinosa) and Anamu-SC (Petiveria alliacea) and their combination with chemotherapeutic agents on NO and ROS levels in leukemic cell lines K562 and Reh. NO and ROS were determined using the DAF-FM DA and H2DCFDA probes. The mean fluorescence intensity for each variable was measured by flow cytometry. The extracts showed an antioxidant effect on both cell lines leading to a significant decrease in ROS levels without decreasing cell viability. Anamu-SC also increased NO levels in K562 cells when combined with idarubicin. Both extracts reduced the number of leukemic cells after 12 hours of treatment. Further studies are necessary to evaluate their effect on primary human leukemia cells. These findings suggest the potential of P2Et and Anamu-SC as adjuncts in leukemia treatment.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify barriers to adherence to home oral maintenance chemotherapy in children with leukemia treated at a specialized cancer center. Methods: We used the Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ) as a tool for screening barriers to adherence. The level of adherence was calculated considering at least one positive response in each BMQ domain, defined as Regimen Screen, Belief Screen, and Recall Screen. A positive screening for belief barriers (PSB) indicates that the caregiver reports not understanding the medication's mechanism of action and adverse effects. Results: Three important barriers to adherence were identified: beliefs, number of children of the caregiver, and age of the caregiver. The primary caregivers included 32 mothers (80%), four fathers (10%), three grandmothers (7.5%), and one unrelated caregiver (2.5 %). Most caregivers with a PSB were mothers. A PSB indicates that the caregiver reports not understanding the medication's mechanism of action and adverse effects. Caregivers with two or more children (median, three) had more barriers to adherence. Caregivers with potential non-adherence tended to be older than those with potential adherence, although without statistical significance (p=0.079, Mann-Whitney U test). Conclusions: The main barriers to adherence to home oral maintenance chemotherapy in children with leukemia identified through interviews with their caregivers, most often mothers, were lack of understanding of the treatment regimen, a greater number of children, and older age.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common leukemia seen among pediatric patients. Exposure to agents such as pesticides, tobacco smoke, solvents, and air pollution associated with traffic, factories, and incinerators is consistently associated with an increased risk of developing childhood leukemia. The purpose of this article is to attempt to assess the knowledge of parents of oncology patients about possible risk factors for the development of ALL acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the need for educational campaigns to increase cancer awareness in the community. Material and methods: For the study, the authors created a structured questionnaire that included 15 questions. The printed questionnaire was then distributed to parents staying with their children in the pediatric oncology and hematology department and the hematology-oncology outpatient clinic at 2 clinical hospitals in Poland. The survey was conducted from February to May 2023. Results: The study group was formed by 256 people. 13% of respondents believe that breastfeeding increases a child's risk of leukemia. One in three questioned pointed to vaccinations as a possible trigger for cancer. The majority of respondents consider care facilities such as the nursery as exposure to the development of leukemia. The vast majority of respondents are dissatisfied with their knowledge of proliferative diseases. Conclusions: The overall level of parents' knowledge of leukemia risk factors is inadequate. A large percentage of respondents indicate vaccination as a risk factor for the development of ALL There is a need for educational campaigns on childhood cancer. There is a need to verify the sources of medical knowledge used by patients, especially on the Internet.