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South African children with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have low 5-year overall survival (OS) rates. In this retrospective multicenter study, 271 South African pediatric patients with HL were studied to determine OS and prognostic factors in those with HIV and HL. Univariate risk factor analysis was performed to analyze prognostic factors. The 29 HIV-infected patients were younger (

Background and objectives: Children with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have low 5 year overall survival rates in South Africa, home to the world’s largest HIV population. We aimed to explore factors impacting on survival in children with HIV and HL by comparing those with and without HIV, and to determine long term survival. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to determine survival rates and prognostic factors in South African children and adolescents with HL. Univariate risk factor analysis was performed to analyse prognostic factors. Results: Between January 2000 and December 2010, 271 children and adolescents with HL were eligible for analysis. Compared to the 242 HIV-uninfected patients, the 29 HIV-infected patients were younger (median 7.2 vs 10.0 years, p=0.052) and more likely to present with Stage IV disease (p=0.000) The 5-year overall survival rate (OS) of HIV-infected patients of 49% versus 84% for HIV-uninfected patients (p=0.001) appeared to be associated with hypoalbuminaemia (

PURPOSE Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experience the burden of 80% of new childhood cancer cases worldwide, with cure rates as low as 10% in some countries. Metronomics combines frequent administrations of low-dose chemotherapy with drug repurposing, which consists of using already-approved drugs for new medical applications. With wide availability, limited costs, and little infrastructure needs, metronomics can be part of constraint-adapted regimens in these resource-limited settings—with the understanding that metronomics shall not be a substitute for standard treatments when available and doable. Our study aims to describe the experience, practices, opinions, and needs in metronomics of physicians working in LMICs. METHODS An online questionnaire was sent to more than 1,200 physicians in pediatric oncology networks in LMICs. Items included the type of center, physician’s demographics, experience in pediatric oncology, and experience with current knowledge of metronomics. Opinions and perspectives were explored using multiple-answer and open questions. RESULTS Of physicians, 17% responded. Of respondents, 54.9% declared that they had already used a metronomic regimen. The most frequently cited repositioned drugs were celecoxib (44%) followed by propranolol and valproic acid (17%). Respondents highlighted the advantages of outpatient use (20%) and expected low toxicity (24%). In considering the drawbacks of metronomics, 47% of responses highlighted the lack of scientific evidence or guidelines, 33% the availability or affordability of drugs, and 18% the problem of acceptance or compliance. Of physicians, 79% believed that use of metronomics will spread in LMICs in the near future and 98% of them were willing to participate in international metronomic protocols or registries. CONCLUSION Metronomics is already used in LMICs and is a potential answer to unmet needs in pediatric oncology. There is room for improvement in the availability of drugs and a necessity to develop collaborative protocols and research to generate level A evidence.

Background Children with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have excellent survival rates in high-income countries, but there are minimal outcome data in South African patients. Differing approaches to treatment are used in centres across South Africa, and the South African Children's Cancer Study Group (SACCSG) embarked on a programme to audit outcomes to improve survival rates. Patients and methods A multicentre study was conducted to analyse outcomes and prognostic factors of children with HL in South Africa. Ten dedicated South African paediatric oncology units participated in a retrospective data review. All patients with HL treated consecutively between January 2000 and December 2010 were included. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression model were employed to determine survival rates and prognostic factors. Results Two hundred and ninety-four patients were eligible for inclusion. The median age at presentation was 9.6 years (range 2.9-18.8); 55.4% of the patients presented with Stage III and IV disease and 9.9% were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive. First-line therapy consisted of adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (ABVD) in 158 patients, vincristine, procarbazine/etoposide, prednisone and doxorubicin in 97 and adriamycin, bleomycin, vincristine and dacarbazine-chlorambucil, vinblastine, prednisone and procarbazine in 23 patients. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 79% (95% confidence interval 73-84%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that HIV infection (P = 0.018) and Ann Arbor Stage III and IV disease (P = 0.006) conferred a poor prognosis, while treatment with ABVD was associated with higher survival rates (P = 0.028). Conclusion OS rates are encouraging for a middle-income country, although economic disparities continue to impact negatively on outcomes. Study results will form the basis for the development of national protocol and continued advocacy to rectify disparities.