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Background Castleman disease (CD) is a rare non-malignant lymphoproliferation of undetermined origin. Two major disease phenotypes can be distinguished: unicentric CD (UCD) and multicentric CD (MCD). Diagnosis confirmation is based on histopathological findings in a lymph node. We attempted to survey all cases of paediatric CD identified to date in France to set up a national registry aiming to improve CD early recognition, treatment and follow-up, within the context of a new national reference center (http://www.castleman.fr). Methods In 2016, we e-mailed a questionnaire to members of the French paediatric immunohaematology society, the paediatric rheumatology society and the Reference Centre for Castleman Disease to retrospectively collect cases of paediatric CD (first symptoms before age 18 years). Anatomopathological confirmation was mandatory. Results We identified 23 patients (12 girls) with a diagnosis of UCD (n = 17) and MCD (n = 6) between 1994 and 2018. The mean age at first symptoms was 11.47 ± 4.23 years for UCD and 8.3 ± 3.4 years for MCD. The mean diagnosis delay was 8.16 ± 10.32 months for UCD and 5.16 ± 5.81 years for MCD. In UCD, the initial symptoms were isolated lymph nodes (n = 10) or lymph node associated with other symptoms (n = 7); fever was present in 3 patients. Five patients with MCD presented fever. No patients had HIV or human herpesvirus 8 infection. Autoinflammatory gene mutations were investigated in five patients. One patient with MCD carried a K695R heterozygous mutation in MEFV, another patient with MCD and Duchenne myopathy carried two variants in TNFRSF1A and one patient with UCD and fever episodes carried two heterozygous mutations, in IL10RA and IL36RN, respectively. Treatment of UCD was mainly surgical resection, steroids, and radiotherapy. Treatment of MCD included tocilizumab, rituximab, anakinra, steroids, chemotherapy, and splenectomy. Overall survival after a mean of 6.1 ± 6.4 years of follow-up, was 100% for both forms. Conclusion Paediatric CD still seems underdiagnosed, with a significant diagnosis delay, especially for MCD, but new international criteria will help in the future. Unlike adult CD, which is strongly associated with HIV and human herpesvirus 8 infection, paediatric CD could be favored by primary activation of innate immunity and may affect life expectancy less.

Background: Hypoxic environment is a pejorative prognostic factor in pediatric solid tumors (ST). It is favoring neoangiogenesis, tumor progression and resistance to treatments through the activation of mTor and HIF-1α pathways. Those hypoxic markers can be targeted by rapamycin and irinotecan, respectively. Therefore, we designed a dose-escalation phase I trial combining both drugs to inhibit tumor hypoxic mechanisms present in several pediatric refractory/relapsing ST. Procedure: Patients were enrolled in this 3+3 escalation trial with ten dose levels. The primary endpoint was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of rapamycin when combined with irinotecan. Rapamycin was administered orally once daily in a 28-day cycle (1 to 2.5 mg/m2/day) and associated biweekly with intravenous irinotecan (125 to 240 mg/m2/dose). Toxicities, pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy analyses and pharmacodynamics (UGT1A1 status, cytokines/chemokines assessment, MRI markers and proteins' expression) were evaluated. Results: 42 patients were treated and had mild to moderate reversible toxicities. No MTD was present up to the tenth level. The PK were highly variable. Nevertheless, the usually targeted concentrations of rapamycin over time were reached at 1.5 mg/m2/day dose. When looking to the 2 partial responses (PR) and 19 stable diseases (SD) in 31 assessable patients, the mean irinotecan AUC was 363 min.mg/L and the mean D8 rapamycin AUC was 9.3 min.mg/L. No significant relationship was observed between dose escalation and response, but progressive tumors' subgroup (PD) had slightly lower mean irinotecan AUC (321 min.mg/L) and D8 rapamycin AUC (6.5 min.mg/L). The two main tumor groups were brain tumors (BTs) and sarcomas. A high proportion of those patients experienced tumor responses (3/4 ependymomas, 2/3 medulloblastomas, 1 rhabdoid tumor, 2/3 high-grade gliomas and 5/6 osteosarcomas). In all 17 assessable patients for immunohistochemistry, the two targeted proteins, mTor and HIF-1α, were expressed, but the resistance to this double strategy was significantly linked to the HIF-2α protein hyperexpression. In the BTs, lower ADC values in MRI were also a prerequisite for tumor responsiveness. Cytokine analyses, distinguished specific proinflammatory and angiogenic signatures during first course of treatment: PR patients had an increase of TNF, associated to a stable PIGF and a decrease of VEGF-C; the SD subgroup had a significant increase of VEGF-D and a stable or increase of sFLT1 and PD group had a constant increase of IL8 and VEGF-D. Conclusion: Despite no MTD, we can propose a next phase II trial with rapamycin dose of 1.5 mg/m2/day associated with 125 mg/m2 irinotecan in STs not expressing HIF-2α protein. A precise PK follow-up will be used to reach an irinotecan AUC up to 360 min.mg/L and a D8 rapamycin blood concentration of 10 µg/L. The cytokine evaluation will help us to predict during first cycle the potential tumor response. Citation Format: Sarah Jannier, Veronique Kemmel, Consuelo Sebastia, Agathe Chammas, Amelia-Naomi Sabo, Erwan Pencreach, Françoise Farace, Benoit Lhermitte, Birgit Geoerger, Isabelle Aerts, Didier Frappaz, Pierre Leblond, Nicolas Andre, Yves Perel, Nadège Corradini, Anne Isabelle Bertozzi, Florence Vincent, Natacha Entz-Werle. Phase I study with rapamycin combined with irinotecan, the SFCE RAPIRI I trial, a new way to target tumor hypoxia in pediatric refractory cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr CT136.

Background: Cushing’s syndrome (CS), rare in children, is due to pituitary or, less frequently, to adrenocortical tumors. Ectopic adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion is exceptional. Method: A case of apparently ACTH-independent CS in a child is reported. Results: CS was due to an adrenal ganglioneuroma where neuroendocrine cells were immunopositive for ACTH responsible for the syndrome through a paracrine effect. Cortical cell hyperplasia was observed. Conclusion: Benign and differentiated tumors of the neural crest such as ganglioneuromas may be responsible for CS.

Purpose To identify prognostic factors and to evaluate the outcome of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) failure after induction therapy. Patients and Methods Between June 1993 and December 1999, 1,395 leukemic children were included in the French Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia 93 study. Results Fifty-three patients (3.8%) had a leukemic induction failure (LIF) after three- or four-drug induction therapy. In univariate analysis, high WBC count (P = .001), mediastinal mass (P = .017), T-cell phenotype (T-ALL; P = .001), t(9;22) translocation (P = .001), and a slow early response (at day 8 and/or on day 21, P = .001) were predictive of LIF. The following three prognostic groups for LIF were identified by multivariate analysis: a low-risk group with B-cell progenitor (BCP) ALL without t(9;22) (odds ratio [OR] = 1), an intermediate-risk group with T-ALL and a mediastinal mass (OR = 7.4, P < .0001), and a high-risk group with BCP-ALL and t(9;22) or T-ALL without a mediastinal mass (OR = 28.4, P < .0001). Complete remission (CR) was subsequently obtained in 43 patients (81%). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of the 53 patients was 30% ± 6%. The 5-year OS rate among allogeneic graft recipients, autologous graft recipients, and after chemotherapy were 30.4% ± 9.6% (50% ± 26% after genoidentical transplantation), 50% ± 17.7%, and 41.7% ± 14.2%, respectively (P = .18). Fourteen patients (26%) were still in first CR after a median of 83 months (range, 53 to 117 months). Conclusion Three risk categories for LIF in children with ALL were identified. Approximately one third of patients with LIF can be successfully treated with salvage therapy overall. Subsequent CR after LIF is mandatory for cure.

Asparaginases are a cornerstone in the treatment of ALL, but their utility is limited by toxicities including hypersensitivity. ERY001 improves pharmacokinetics and tolerability, while maintaining circulating asparaginase (ASPA) activity due to the protective barrier of the erythrocyte membrane. This phase III study enrolled pts with primary relapsed/refractory Ph- ALL. The co-primary endpoints were the duration of ASPA activity equal or greater than 100IU/L and the incidence of ASPA hypersensitivity during induction. Patients, aged 1-55 years, without prior ASPA hypersensitivity were randomized to ERY001 (150 IU/kg) or L-ASP(10.000IU/m2) in combination with COOPRALL. The patients with prior ASPA hypersensitivity received ERY001. ERY001 significantly reduced the incidence of ASPA hypersensitivity (0% vs 43%; p100IU/l significantly longer than L-ASP (20.5±5.2 vs 9.2±7.5 days; p These highly encouraging results show that ERY001 is a suitable option for patients with relapsed ALL maintaining ASPA efficacy with improved tolerability. Citation Format: Yves Bertrand, Andre Baruchel, Xavier Thomas, Nicolas Blin, Emmanuelle Tavernier, Yves Perel, Norbert Vey, Virginie Gandemer, Iman ElHariry, Yann Godfrin. A phase III, multicenter, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety and efficacy of erythrocyte encapsulated l-asparaginase (Ery001) versus native l-asparaginase (L-asp) in combination with COOPRALL regimen in patients with first relapse of acut [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr CT113. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-CT113

International audience; The objective of the study was to assess acute neurotoxicity associated with triple intrathecal therapy (TIT)+/-high-dose methotrexate (HD MTX) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). 1395 children were enrolled on FRALLE 93 protocol from 1993 to 1999. Lower-risk group (LR, n=182) were randomized to weekly low-dose MTX at 25 mg/m(2)/week (LD MTX, n=81) or HD MTX at 1.5 g/m(2)/2 weeks x 6 (n=77). Intermediate-risk group (IR, n=672) were randomized to LD MTX (n=290) or HD MTX at 8 g/m(2)/2 weeks x 4 (n=316). Higher-risk group (HR, n=541) prednisone-responder patients received LD MTX and cranial radiotherapy. HR group steroid resistant cases were grafted (autologous or allogenic). TIT (MTX, cytarabine and methylprednisolone) was given every 2 weeks during 16-18 weeks and every 3 months during maintenance therapy in LR and IR patients. 52 patients (3.7%) developed neurotoxicity. Isolated seizures: n=15 (1.1%), peripheral and spinal neuropathy: n=17 (1.2%) and encephalopathy: n=20 (1.4%). Age >10 years was significantly associated with neurotoxicity (P=0.01) and use of HD MTX is associated with encephalopathy (P=0.03). Sequels are reported respectively in 60 and 33% of spinal neuropathy and encephalopathy cases. Current strategies tailoring risk of neurological sequels has to be defined.

From 1989 to 1998, 341 children were included in the French multicentric LAME (Leucémie Aiguë Myéloblastique Enfant) trials. A total of 309 children were registered in the LAME 89/91 protocol. This intensive regimen included an induction phase (mitoxantrone plus cytarabine), two consolidation courses, one containing timed-sequential high-dose cytarabine, asparaginase and amsacrine; 276 (90%) achieved a CR. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 60+/-4 and 48+/-4%, respectively. From 1997, timed-sequencing of the LAME SP induction chemotherapy led to an unacceptable frequency of consolidation delay; future improvements are unlikely to come from further increases in intensity. The role of allogenic bone-marrow transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling in CR1 was examined. The disease-free survival (DFS) was 52+/-4% for non-allografted patients and 57+/-7% for allografted patients (P=NS); a better OS for allografted patients was shown and could be related either to allo-BMT early in CR1 or to a second allo-BMT in CR2. For the complete responders after consolidation therapy, the 5-year OS was significantly better in patients randomized for no maintenance therapy (MT-) than in patients randomized for MT (77.6+/-8 vs 59+/-8%; P=0.05), while the 5-year DFS was not significantly different. Exposure to low-dose MT might contribute to clinical drug resistance and treatment failure in relapsing patients.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the use of maintenance therapy (MT) delivered after intensive induction and consolidation therapy confers any advantage in childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 268 children with AML were registered in the Leucámie Aiquë Myéloïde Enfant (LAME) 89/91 protocol. This regimen included an intensive induction phase (mitoxantrone plus cytarabine) and, for patients without allograft, two consolidation courses, one containing timed-sequential high-dose cytarabine, asparaginase, and amsacrine. In the LAME 89 pilot study, patients were given an additional MT consisting of mercaptopurine and cytarabine for 18 months. In the LAME 91 trial, patients were randomized to receive or not receive MT. RESULTS: A total of 241 (90%) of 268 patients achieved a complete remission. The overall survival and event-free survival at 6 years were 60% ± 6% and 48% ± 6%, respectively. For the complete responders after consolidation therapy, the 5-year disease-free survival was not significantly different in MT-negative and in MT-positive randomized patients (respectively, 60% ± 19% v 50% ± 15%; P = .25), whereas the 5-year overall survival was significantly better in MT-negative randomized patients (81% ± 13% v 58% ± 15%; P = .04) due to a higher salvage rate after relapse. CONCLUSION: More than 50% of patients can be cured of AML in childhood. Either drug intensity or each of the induction and postremission phases may have contributed to the outstanding improvement in outcome. Low-dose MT is not recommended. Exposure to this low-dose MT may contribute to clinical drug resistance and treatment failure in patients who experience relapse.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant, multi-system, neurocutaneous disorder that predisposes to the development of benign and malignant tumors with a birth incidence rate of 1 in 2500–3000. 50% of cases are sporadic. The diagnosis is exclusively based on clinical assessment with clinical diagnostic criteria such as cafe-au-lait spots, neurofibromas, axillary or groin freckling, Lisch nodules, optic pathway glioma, bony dysplasia and first-degree relative with NF1. We report a family with NF1 in which two members presented atypical clinical features in addition to the classical diagnostic criteria. Three relatives affected by NF1, a father and two of his three sons, are described. The clinical diagnosis was originally worn in all three cases, with the association many spots cafe-au –lait over the entire body and some axillary freckling as well as first-degree relative. One case presented an Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) type 2 at 10 years of age diagnosed before the revelation of bicytopenia associated pallor and isolated asthenia. A second case presented a nephrotic syndrome at 4 years of age due to the association of hydrops with headache and asthenia. Direct sequencing of NF1 led to identify the familial mutation, a previously unreported heterozygous missense mutation c.3443C > A, p.Ala1148Glu in exon 20 which segregated with all three affected patients. The family described in this report confirms the high clinical variability of NF1, even intrafamilial, and raises the question as to whether rare features such as AML and nephrotic syndrome are associated with NF1. Some NF1 patients presenting glomerular diseases or AML have rarely been reported, but due to the small number of cases described the mechanisms underlying these associations are poorly understood. However, it seems important to be aware of the possible occurrence of nephritic syndrome and/or malignant blood diseases in NF1 patients.

This study was undertaken to show that a high survival rate can be obtained in B-cell (Burkitt and large B-cell) lymphoma and L3 leukemia with multiagent chemotherapy adapted to the tumor burden (stage, resection status, percentage of blasts in bone marrow, and central nervous system [CNS] involvement) and early response to chemotherapy, to investigate actual prognostic factors, and to see if large B-cell lymphoma can be treated with the same regimen as Burkitt lymphoma. Patients were classified into 3 risk groups. Group A (resected stage I and abdominal stage II) received 2 courses of vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone. Group B (patients not eligible for groups A or C) received 5 courses of chemotherapy with, in addition, high-dose methotrexate, 3 g/m(2) over 3 hours; infusional cytarabine; and intrathecal (IT) methotrexate. Group C (patients with CNS involvement and acute lymphoblastic leukemia with at least 70% of blasts in bone marrow) received 8 courses with, in addition, high-dose methotrexate, 8 g/m(2); high-dose cytarabine; etoposide; and triple IT. Except in group A, treatment started with a prephase (COP, low-dose vincristine and cyclophosphamide). It was intensified for patients who did not respond to COP in group B and any patient with residual viable cells after the consolidation phase. A total of 561 patients were enrolled in the SFOP LMB89 protocol (July 1989-June 1996). Five-year survival is 92.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90%-94%) and event-free survival (EFS) 91% (95% CI, 89%-93%). EFS is 98% (95% CI, 90%-100%), 92% (95% CI, 89%-95%), and 84% (95% CI, 77%-90%) for group A, B, and C, respectively. In group B, multivariate analysis of prognostic factors showed that a lactate dehydrogenase level more than 2-fold the normal value, no response after COP, and age of at least 15 years were associated with a lower EFS. CNS involvement was the only prognostic factor in group C. (Blood. 2001;97:3370-3379)

We investigated the pharmacokinetics and safety of an oral solution of itraconazole in two groups of neutropenic children stratified by age. Effective concentrations of itraconazole in plasma were reached quickly and maintained throughout treatment. The results indicate a trend toward higher concentrations of itraconazole in plasma in older children.

PURPOSE: The French Society of Pediatric Oncology MDH82 study demonstrated the effectiveness of 20 Gy irradiation of involved fields after doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) or mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone/ABVD chemotherapy in children with localized Hodgkin’s disease (HD). The response to primary chemotherapy was the only predictor of survival. To reduce long-term treatment complications without compromising efficacy, the MDH90 study was based on a new chemotherapy regimen devoid of both alkylating agents and anthracycline, followed by 20 Gy of radiotherapy (RT) for good responders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1990 to July 1996, 202 children were enrolled from 30 institutions. Good responders to four cycles of vinblastine, bleomycin, etoposide (VP16), and prednisone (VBVP) were given 20 Gy of RT and no further therapy. Poor responders were given vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, and doxorubicin. After a second evaluation, good responders were given 20 Gy of RT, and poor responders were given 40 Gy of RT. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-one patients (85%) were good responders to VBVP, 27 (15%) were poor responders, and four did not respond. With a median follow-up of 74 months (range, 25 to 117 months), the 5-year overall survival rate (mean ± SD) is 97.5% ± 2.1%, and the event-free survival rate (mean ± SD) is 91.1% ± 1.8%. Significant predictors of worse event-free survival in multivariate analysis were hemoglobin < 10.5 g/L, “b” biologic class, and nodular sclerosis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that most children with clinical stage I and II HD can be treated with chemotherapy devoid of alkylating agents and anthracycline, followed by low-dose RT.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the use of a recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor ([G-CSF] lenogastrim) can increase the chemotherapy dose-intensity (CDI) delivered during consolidation chemotherapy of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven children with very high-risk ALL were randomized (slow early response to therapy, 55 patients; translocation t(9;22) or t(4;11), 12 patients). Consolidation consisted of six courses of chemotherapy; the first, third, and fifth courses were a combination of high-dose cytarabine, etoposide, and dexamethasone (R3), whereas the second, fourth, and sixth courses included vincristine, prednisone, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and methotrexate (COPADM). G-CSF was given after each course, and the next scheduled course was started as soon as neutrophil count was > 1 × 109/L and platelet count was > 100 × 109/L. CDI was calculated using the interval from day 1 of the first course to hematologic recovery after the fifth course (100% CDI = 105-day interval). RESULTS: CDI was significantly increased in the G-CSF group compared with the non–G-CSF group (mean ± 95% confidence interval, 105 ± 5% v 91 ± 4%; P < .001). This higher intensity was a result of shorter post-R3 intervals in the G-CSF group, whereas the post-COPADM intervals were not statistically reduced. After the R3 courses, the number of days with fever and intravenous antibiotics and duration of hospitalization were significantly decreased by G-CSF, whereas reductions observed after COPADM were not statistically significant. Duration of granulocytopenia was reduced in the G-CSF group, but thrombocytopenia was prolonged, and the number of platelet transfusions was increased. Finally, the 3-year probability of event-free survival was not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: G-CSF can increase CDI in high-risk childhood ALL. Its effects depend on the chemotherapy regimen given before G-CSF administration. In our study, a higher CDI did not improve disease control.

9Pathology, CHUPurpan, Toulouse, France Summary Purpose: to study response to chemotherapy and the outcome of children treated for a relapsed anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) and to evaluate the role of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in these patients. Patients and methods: Clinical data concerning the 41 relapses that occurred in 119 patients with ALCL enrolled in 3 consecutive studies since 1975 were analysed. First-line treatment consisted of intensive chemotherapy according to the COPAD protocol for the first series of 12 patients treated between 1975 and 1989 and to the SFOP (French Society of Pediatric Oncology) HM protocols for the 30 patients treated between 1989 and 1997. Twenty-eight patients were treated with CV(B)A (CCNU, vinblastine, ara-C with or without bleomycin), and the others with miscellaneous protocols for recurrent disease. Fifteen patients underwent autologous BMT and 1 allogeneic BMT while in CR2. Results: Thirty-six of forty-one (88%) patients achieved CR2. With a median follow-up of 5 years, 12 patients died, 9 of their disease and 29 patients are alive in CR2 (20 patients), CR3 (5 patients), CR4 (2 patients), CR5 (1 patient) or CR6 (1 patient). Overall and disease-free survival are respectively 69% (53%-82%) and 44% (29%-61%) at three years. In univariate analysis, patients treated with ABMT while in CR2 did not appear to have a better outcome than the other. Remarkably, a long-lasting remission was obtained in 8 of 13 patients treated with weekly vinblastine for a relapse including 6 relapses occurring after ABMT. Conclusions: Relapsed ALCL are highly chemosensitive but over 40% of the patients experience several relapses. Prolonged conventional chemotherapy based on vinblastine might, in some cases, be as efficient as short intensive treatment with ABMT.

Summary This study aimed to describe the clinical features and outcome of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) with leukaemic presentation in children. Among 267 patients included in the French paediatric ALCL database between 1989 and 2012, nine (3%) were described as having cytologically detectable circulating tumour cells. Clinical features combined fever (8/9), nodal and extra-nodal disease (9/9), including hepato-splenic (9/9) and lung involvement (7/9). The level of hyperleucocytosis ranged from 30 to 120 × 109/l, with 12–90% of tumour cells. Diagnosis relied on a lymph node biopsy, with a positive ALK+ antibody immunostain in all nine cases, a T-cell immunophenotype in 7/9 cases and CD3 positivity in 5/9 cases. A small cell component was present in 6/9 cases. Only four patients achieved a complete remission with first-line therapy and 3/4 relapsed. Four patients are alive with a median follow-up of 31 months, two of them after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and five patients died, two of them of disease. In conclusion, ALCL with leukaemic presentation is very unusual and should be considered as high-risk lymphoma requiring new therapeutic strategies. The respective role of new agents and allogeneic HSCT in first complete remission still has to be assessed.

Screening for G-CSF receptor mutations in patients with secondary myeloid or lymphoid transformation of severe congenital neutropenia. A report from the French neutropenia register

Blinatumomab is a monoclonal bispecific antibody, combining two binding sites: a CD3 site for T cells and a CD19site for the target B cells. Blinatumomab has demonstrated efficacy and safety in adult relapsed/refractory B-precursor ALL (R/R ALL) populations, but also in the pediatric R/R ALL population as shown by interim results from the Phase 1b/2 study MT103-205 (Gore L et al, ASH 2014). Patients and methods: this retrospective study aims to evaluate safety and efficacy of Blinatumomab in 17 pediatric pts with B-precursor ALL treated in 4 french hematological centers between April 2013 and December 2015 within a compassionate use frame. These 17 pts represent the whole population of French children treated with Blinatumomab outside a clinical trial but under a Temporary Authorization for Use (ATU) given by the French Regulatory Agency (ANSM) within this period. Median age was 6.6 years (8 months - 16.6 years). Results: 1)7 pts (41%) received Blinatumomab at a dose of 15 mcg/m2/day for 28 days/cycle in first or second complete remission for minimal residual disease (MRD) persistence. Six of those 7 pts had a molecular remission (MRD Enterococcus faecalis, n=1 and Staphylococcus haemolyticus, n=1). One patient had a grade 3 soft tissue mucormycosis. Three pts (18%) had hepatic toxicity (≥ grade 3 increased ALAT, n=2). One patient had a grade 4 pericarditis without documented infection. No neurological event was observed. Conclusion: Although our numbers are small 1) Blinatumomab is an effective bridge to HSCT for pts with persisting high MRD after intensive chemotherapy. 2) A 40% MRD response rate has been found for R/R pts but with a dismal final outcome. 3) Toxicity is manageable with a low neurological event rate (none in this study). Blinatumomab should be developed in less advanced B lineage ALL in children. Disclosures Baruchel: Amgen: Consultancy. Brethon:Amgen: Consultancy.

The prognosis of patients with relapses of ETV6/RUNX1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia remains to be evaluated, particularly with regards to the frequency of late relapses. We performed a long-term, follow-up retrospective study to address the outcome of patients with ETV6/RUNX1-positive leukemia relapses.Among the 713 children tested for ETV6/RUNX1 enrolled into the FRALLE 93 protocol, 43 ETV6/RUNX1-positive patients relapsed (19.4%). Most were initially stratified in the low or intermediate risk groups. The median follow-up after relapse was 54.2 months. All but three received second-line salvage therapy and 16 underwent allogeneic transplantation.ETV6/RUNX1 had a strong effect on overall survival after relapse (3-year survival= 64.7% for positive cases versus 46.5% for negative cases) (P=0.007). The 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 19.4% and testes were more frequently involved in ETV6/RUNX1-positive relapses (P=0.04). In 81.4% of cases the relapses were late, early combined or isolated extramedullary relapses. The 5-year survival rate of patients with ETV6-RUNX1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia relapses reached 80.8% when the relapse occurred after 36 months (versus 31.2% when the relapse occurred earlier). In univariate analysis, female gender was associated with a poor survival, whereas site of relapse, age at diagnosis, leukocytosis and consolidation strategy had no effect. In multivariate analysis, only the duration of first remission remained associated with outcome.We found an excellent outcome for patients with ETV6/RUNX1-positive leukemia relapses that occurred more than 36 months after diagnosis. The duration of first complete remission may, therefore, be a guide to define the treatment strategy for patients with relapsed ETV6/RUNX1- positive leukemia.

There is little data available regarding children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) who relapse after combined-modality treatment, even though they have a substantial chance of cure. The purpose of this national retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with recurrent/refractory HL and determine adverse prognostic factors. From 1990 to 2006, 70 patients (median age 13·9 years) with refractory (n = 31) or first relapse (n = 39) HL were identified. Median time from end of treatment to relapse was 6 months (3-56). Relapses occurred in irradiated areas in 43/70 patients. Salvage therapy consisted of chemotherapy and 50 patients received high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation. Radiotherapy was performed in 29 cases, tandem autologous transplantation in five and allograft in three. With a median follow-up of 40 months (2-140), significant prognostic factors were time to progression/relapse and response to therapy before autograft. Event-free survival and overall survival in patients with refractory disease, early relapse and late relapse were 35 ± 9%, 67 ± 11%, 76 ± 10% and 48 ± 11%, 89 ± 7% and 80 ± 10%, respectively. As progression3 months was a major adverse prognostic factor, novel therapeutic approaches are needed for this group of patients. By contrast, patients have substantial chance of long term second remission in case of relapse3 months.

International audience; BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of the ectopic activation of TLX3 gene expression, a major oncogenetic event associated with pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is controversial. Likewise, the frequency and the prognostic significance in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia of the newly characterized NUP214-ABL1 fusion transcript is not yet clear. DESIGN AND METHODS: Two hundred children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated in the French FRALLE-93 study from 1993 to 1999. The expression of TLX3, TLX1 and SILTAL1 genes was analyzed in samples from 92 patients by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Most of these samples were further studied for NUP214-ABL1 and CALM-AF10 fusion transcripts. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 7.9 years. At 5 years the overall survival (+/- standard deviation, %) was 62 (+/-3%) and leukemia-free survival was 58 (+/-3%). Patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia positive for TLX3 had a poorer survival compared to those with T-ALL negative for TLX3 (overall survival: 45+/-11% vs. 57+/-5%, p=0.049). In multivariate analysis, TLX3 expression was an independent adverse risk factor predicting relapse with a hazard ratio of 2.44 (p=0.017) and an overall survival with a hazard ratio of 3.7 (p=0.001). NUP214-ABL1 was expressed in 16.6% of patients with TLX3-positive T-ALL (3 of 18); all of the patients with this association died before completion of the treatment. SILTAL expression did not significantly affect the prognosis of patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Only three of 92 patients expressed the TLX1 gene and all three are alive. CONCLUSIONS: TLX3 gene expression is an independent risk factor predicting poor survival in childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. When co-expressed with TLX3, NUP214-ABL1 transcripts may increase the risk of poor survival.

The safety and efficacy of rituximab have been retrospectively assessed in 17 children with Evans syndrome. Patients received 4 or 3 weekly doses of rituximab (375 mg/m(2) per dose) associated with prednisone, alone (14 patients) or associated with other immunosuppressive drugs. Complete or partial remission of at least one cytopenia was achieved in 13 out of the 17 patients (76%), and lasted in 11 of them with a mean follow-up of 2.4 years (range 0.5-7 years). Steroid therapy was stopped or tapered at 50-100% of the baseline dosage in all long-term responders. Moderate side effects and infection occurred only in 4 and 1 children respectively.

International audience; A case-control study was conducted to investigate the role of a familial history of cancer in the etiology of childhood acute leukemia. The history of cancer in the relatives of 472 cases was compared with that of 567 population-based controls. Recruitment was frequency matched on age, sex and region. The familial history of cancer in each child's relatives was reported by the mother in response to a standardized self-administered questionnaire. A familial history of solid tumor in first or second-degree relatives was associated with an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (odds ratio (OR)=1.6 [95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.1]), while a familial history of hematopoietic malignancies in first or second-degree relatives was associated with an increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia (OR=4.3 [1.4-13]). The ORs for the histories of cancer increased with the number of relatives with cancer (OR=1.5 [1.1-2.0] for one relative and OR=2.3 [1.3-3.8] for two relatives or more; Ptrend

Purpose To test the metastatic response rate in stage 4 neuroblastoma, using dose-intensive induction chemotherapy in a multi-institutional setting. Patients and Methods From 1998 to 1999, 47 consecutive children were treated according to N7 protocol. Children received cyclophosphamide 140 mg/kg, doxorubicin 75 mg/m2, and vincristine 0.066 mg/kg (CAV) in cycles 1, 2, 4, and 6, and cisplatinum 200 mg/m2 and etoposide 600 mg/m2 (P/VP) in cycles 3, 5, and 7. The International Neuroblastoma Staging system was used with an emphasis on skeletal evaluation by 123-iodine-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy. A phase II study evaluating the metastasis complete response rate after induction chemotherapy was conducted in patients who had positive metastatic sites on MIBG scans at diagnosis. Results Forty-six patients were assessable for toxicity. Hematologic toxicity was the main toxicity observed. Neutropenia was more frequent after CAV than after P/VP (P < .001). A higher rate of thrombocytopenia was observed after P/VP (P = .03). Forty patients with positive MIBG were assessable for metastatic response, and complete regression of metastases was achieved in 17 patients (ie, 43%; 95% CI, 27% to 59%). Of all 47 patients, 21 achieved complete metastatic response. Conclusion The N7 induction chemotherapy protocol was feasible in a multicentric setting. The observed metastasis complete response rate was similar to that obtained in our previous studies and significantly lower than that published in a previous series using the same regimen. In our hands, escalating doses of cyclophosphamide and prolonging conventional chemotherapy with the same drugs failed to improve the metastasis complete response rate.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to determine whether systemic and regional, intensified treatment can improve the outcome of children who present with a localized neuroblastoma (NB) with MYCN amplification (MNA). METHODS Between 1990 and 2000, 610 children with localized NB were included in the Localized Neuroblastoma 90 (NBL 90) and NBL 94 study from the French Society of Pediatric Oncology. Among them, 32 children had MNA with Stage II or III NB. During the first period of the study, 20 children (Group A) received postoperative conventional chemotherapy (CT) and/or radiotherapy (RT), depending on each patient's postoperative status. Subsequently, because of a high recurrence rate, the next 12 children (Group B) were given postoperative high-dose CT (HDC) (busulfan and melphalan) with stem cell rescue (SCR) followed by RT in addition to conventional postoperative CT. RESULTS The two groups were comparable with regard to prognostic factors (age, location of the primary lesion, International Neuroblastoma Staging System stage, lymph node invasion) and response to preoperative CT. The 6-year overall survivalrate was significantly different between the two groups 25% ± 10% in Group A vs. 83% ± 11% in Group B; P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Postoperative intensification treatment with HDC, SCR, and locoregional RT resulted in higher survival rates when compared with standard treatment alone and should be considered in the treatment plan for children who are diagnosed with Stage II or III NB and MYCN amplification. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.

PURPOSE In a previous randomized study, the authors reported that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) increased the chemotherapy dose-intensity delivered during the consolidation therapy of high-risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The aim of the current study was to perform an economic evaluation in the same cohort. METHODS In this open-label multicenter randomized trial, prophylactic G-CSF was administered after consolidation therapy courses. Economic data were retrospectively quantified for each patient: hospital stays, drugs, and blood products. RESULTS Sixty-seven children were enrolled in the very high-risk branch of the FRALLE 93 protocol. Chemotherapy dose-intensity was significantly increased (105 +/- 5% in the G-CSF group vs. 91 +/- 4% in the non-G-CSF group, P < 0.001). The mean total costs per child were not statistically different: 32,309 dollars in the G-CSF group versus 31,569 dollars in the non-G-CSF group. Further analysis per child and per course (R3 or COPADM) demonstrated that the mean cost of hospitalization and the mean cost of intravenous antibiotics were significantly decreased in the G-CSF group after R3 courses (3,857 dollars vs. 4,993.80 dollars, P < 0.001; 171.40 dollars vs. 306.20 dollars, P = 0.029, respectively), but the cost of platelet transfusion was significantly increased (P = 0.03). Conversely, post-COPADM costs were similar. Finally, mean costs per course in the two randomized groups were not significantly different: 5,848.80 dollars versus 6,181 dollars and 7,388.10 dollars versus 6,475.70 dollars for R3 and COPADM, respectively. The 3-year probability of event-free survival between the two groups was not different. CONCLUSIONS G-CSF can increase chemotherapy dose-intensity in very high-risk ALL without raising costs, but event-free survival was not improved. The cost benefit of prophylactic treatment by G-CSF relies on the chemotherapeutic regimen given prior to G-CSF administration.

Purpose: To compare pediatric and adult therapeutic practices in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adolescents. Patients and Methods: From June 1993 to September 1994, 77 and 100 adolescents (15 to 20 years of age) were enrolled in the pediatric FRALLE-93 and adult LALA-94 protocols, respectively. Among the different prognostic factors, we retrospectively analyzed the effect of the trial on achieving complete remission (CR) and event-free survival (EFS). Results: Patients were younger in the FRALLE-93 than in the LALA-94 protocol (median age, 15.9 v 17.9 years, respectively), but other characteristics were similar, including median WBC count (18 × 109 cells/L v 16 × 109 cells/L), B/T-lineage (54 of 23 v 72 of 28 patients), CD10-negative ALL (13% v 15%), and poor-risk cytogenetics (t(9;22), t(4;11), or hypodiploidy less than 45 chromosomes: 6% v 5%). The CR rate depended on WBC count (P = .005) and trial (94% v 83% in FRALLE-93 and LALA-94, respectively; P = .04). Univariate analysis showed that unfavorable prognostic factors for EFS were as follows: the trial (estimated 5-year EFS, 67% v 41% for FRALLE-93 and LALA-94, respectively; P < .0001), an increasing WBC count (P < .0001), poor-risk cytogenetics (P = .005), and T-lineage (P = .01). The trial and WBC count remained significant parameters for EFS in multivariate analysis (P < .0001 and P = .0004). Lineage subgroup analysis showed an advantage for the FRALLE-93 trial for CR achievement (98% v 81%; P = .002) and EFS (P = .0002) in B-lineage ALL and for EFS (P = .05) in T-lineage ALL. Age was not a significant prognostic factor in this population of adolescents. Conclusion: This study’s findings indicate that adolescents should be included in intensive pediatric protocols and that new trials should be designed, inspired by pediatric protocols, for the treatment of young adults with ALL.

In order to diagnose neuroblastomas, we assayed the three adrenal hormones and five of their metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography followed by electrochemical detection in urine samples of 395 children with tumours of unknown nature (including 29 neuroblastomas). The analytes (expressed as analyte/creatinine ratios) performances were determined by calculating the related sensitivity and specificity and receiver operating characteristics curves within the different age groups. Normetanephrine (NME), vanillylmandelic and homovanillic acids (VMA, HVA) were the best analytes. Calculated optimal thresholds (best specificity/sensitivity couples) of these analytes minimised the number of false-positive diagnosis. Conclusion: combined determination of normetanephrine with vanillylmandelic acid (0–1 year) or homovanillic acid (1–5 years and 5–10 years) further enhanced the diagnostic power up to 100% sensitivity and specificity of the testing depending on the age group. Plotting individual levels (normetanephrine versus vanillylmandelic acid or homovanillic acid) allowed a rapid visual analysis that would have missed only one small low grade non-secreting tumour.

We report on the case of a girl with type 1 Gaucher’s disease, treated from age 9 to 15 with high-dose enzyme replacement therapy. This treatment did not avert the development of an extensive mutilating hepatic fibrosis warranting a liver transplantation, which was followed by death.In some cases of Gaucher’s disease, alternative strategies such as fractionated or further increased ERT, gene therapy, or glucosyltransferase inhibitor should be explored.

During the past ten years major progress has been made in the treatment of childhood AML with the introduction of intensified induction therapy, followed by an aggressive post induction chemotherapy or an allogenic bone marrow transplantation.

PURPOSE To assess the relevance of N-Myc gene amplification (NMA) as a prognostic factor in localized neuroblastoma (NB) and to evaluate whether less intensive adjuvant treatment is advisable in infants without NMA. PATIENTS AND METHODS Assessment of NBs included clinical and imaging data to allow tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging, biologic determinations (N-Myc gene analysis), and standard histology and work-up to eliminate metastatic spread (metaiodobenzylguanidine [MIBG] scintigraphy and extensive bone marrow staging). Resectability was defined according to imaging findings. Chemotherapy was indicated in children older than 1 year at diagnosis who had postoperative residual disease or lymph node (LN) involvement, in infants with NMA, or as primary treatment in children with an unresectable NB, including dumbbell tumors. Radiotherapy was recommended in children older than 1 who presented with persistent gross residual disease at the end of therapy. RESULTS Between 1990 and 1994, 316 consecutive children who presented with a localized NB were registered in the NBL 90 study. The median age was 12 months, and 42 patients had dumbbell tumors (13%). NMA was found in 22 of 225 assessable children (10%) and correlated with adverse prognostic indicators such as age older than 1 year, an abdominal primary tumor, a large tumor (T3), and unresectability. Among 186 children who had primary excision, five died of surgery-related complications. Primary chemotherapy was given to 130 patients, which allowed removal of the tumor in all but four. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were, respectively, 91% and 84% with a median follow-up time of 36 months. The outcome of infants and older children was similar (P = .2). EFS of patients with resectable tumors was slightly better than with unresectable primary tumors (EFS, 89% v 78%; P = .02). In dumbbell NBs, neurologic recovery was achieved in 74% of cases that presented with symptoms, and initial laminectomy was avoided in 75% of children. In a univariate analysis, large tumors, high neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, positive LNs, macroscopic residue, and NMA adversely influenced outcome. In the multivariate analysis, NMA was the most powerful unfavorable predictive indicator: OS and EFS rates for these children were 36% and 32%, compared with 98% and 90% in nonamplified tumors (P < .001). CONCLUSION Our data confirm the overall good prognosis of localized NBs, even when unresectable. NMA is the most relevant adverse prognostic factor in localized NBs, and more intensive treatment should be investigated in these patients. Prospective studies of other biologic factors are warranted to tailor therapy more accurately. The EFS of children who underwent primary surgery was excellent, and further justifies elimination of adjuvant treatment provided they have no NMA. Despite the elimination of postoperative therapy, infants with non-NMA tumors have an excellent outcome, which suggests that initial chemotherapy can be further reduced in case of unresectable NBs.

Acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) accounts for less 25% of all cases of childhood leukemias. The homogeneous distribution contrasts with the well-known peak of incidence observed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia between the ages of 2 and 7 years.

As a result of steady improvements in chemotherapy over the past 20 years, more than 70% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are cured with intensive induction regimens followed by maintenance therapy [1]. However, there is still a 30% therapeutic failure rate manifesting as disease recurrence, generally bone marrow relapses, early in the treatment period. In this context, several centers have reported the safety and efficacy of allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or chemotherapy alone. The better results have been reported in patients who had BMT from a matched sibling donor as compared to those who did not have a matched sibling donor and received chemotherapy alone [2, 3, 4]. There have been few controlled studies comparing results of autologous and allogeneic BMT in similar patients by using the same preparative regimen [5, 6, 7, 8].

9517 Background: Temozolomide and topotecan have shown activity in several pediatric cancers, including neuroblastoma. Resistance to alkylating agents due to MGMT expression, MMR deficiency or microsatellite instability may be overcome through the combination with topoisomerase I inhibitors. The combination of temozolomide and topotecan (TOTEM) was well tolerated and showed preliminary activity in children with neuroblastoma and glioma (Rubie et al, 2010). Methods: This multicenter, non-randomized, multi-cohort Phase II study included children with neuroblastoma according to a 2-stage Simon design, and patients with central nervous system (CNS) and extra-cranial solid tumors in a descriptive design. Temozolomide was administered orally at 150 mg/m2 followed by topotecan at 0.75 mg/m2 intravenously for 5 consecutive days every 28 days. The main endpoint was objective response (OR), i.e., Complete or Partial Response (CR+PR), evaluated after 2 cycles according to WHO criteria, or INRC criteria for neuroblastoma patients with mIBG-positive lesions, by an independent radiological review. Independent review of mIBG imaging is pending. Results: 103 patients, median age 9.4 years (range 1-21), were treated between June 2009 and May 2011 in 18 centers: 38 neuroblastoma, 33 CNS tumors and 32 other solid tumors. Overall 420 cycles were administered (median 3 per patient; range 1-12). Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was frequent (55% courses), though only 6% of patients developed febrile neutropenia. In the neuroblastoma cohort, 1 CR and 7 PR were observed, leading to an estimated OR rate of 21% (95%CI, 10-37%). Additionally 22 patients had disease stabilization (SD), leading to an overall tumor control (CR+PR+SD) of 79% (63-90%), and a 12-month progression-free survival rate of 47% (31-64%). Overall, 17/102 evaluable patients achieved an OR (17%, 10-25%), with 1 CR and 3 PR in 9 medulloblastoma (44%, 14-79%), 2 PR in 4 PNET, 1 PR in 12 malignant glioma, and 2 PR in 9 RMS. Conclusions: Temozolomide-topotecan combination results in significant tumor control in children with neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma/PNET with favorable toxicity profile.

Cure of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can be achieved with increasing frequency (60–70%). Therapy to prevent CNS leukemia, so called CNS prophylaxis is an important element of the treatment of newly diagnosed children with ALL. Prolonged disease-free survival (DFS) in childhood ALL is dependent on therapy to prevent leukemic relapses in the CNS [5].

Abstract 1508 Background. The long term prognosis of ETV6/RUNX1 -positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains to be evaluated with regard to the frequency of late relapses and the possible existence of a preleukemic stem cell. We performed a retrospective study based on a long-term follow up of the FRALLE 93 ALL relapses to address the issue of the outcome of ETV6/RUNX1 -positive ones. Methods. 1395 patients aged 0 to 20 years with untreated ALL (except L3) were included between 01-Jan-1993 and 31-Dec-1999. From 1995, children were systematically screened for four fusion transcripts (ETV6-RUNX1, BCR-ABL, E2A-PBX1, MLL-AF4). The FRALLE 93 study population was stratified into three groups (low-risk [LR], intermediate-risk [IR], and high-risk [HR]) based on the following prognostic factors: age, white-cell count at diagnosis, haemoglobin level, immunophenotype, karyotype, and response to steroids. Patients received an initial treatment comprised of a prednisone prophase and a triple-drug intrathecal injection. Induction treatment then included prednisone, vincristine, L-asparaginase, daunorubicin (except for the LR group), and one or two more triple-drug intrathecal injections (TIT). The main treatment features of the SR and IR protocol were induction, consolidation, delayed intensification, and maintenance (total treatment duration of 26 and 38 months for girls and boys respectively). Treatment of the HR patients consisted of induction, consolidation, two delayed intensifications, and maintenance with a total treatment time of 2 years. Depending on subgroups, CNS-directed therapy included intrathecal injections +/− high-dose methotrexate +/− cranial irradiation. Following factors influencing survival after first relapse were analyzed: age, leukocytosis, gender, duration of first remission (CR1), risk groups defined in the REZ-BFM 95/96 study, sites of relapse and post CR2 consolidation treatment (AlloSCT or not). Results. ETV6/RUNX1 status was defined for 724 patients B lineage ALL. Overall, 162 of the 713 children who reached CR1 (45 % of boys) relapsed, including 43 with t(12;21). Cumulative incidence of relapses did not differ between ETV6/RUNX1 -positive and negative ALL (p=0.94), with a 5-year estimate at 19.4% and 19.9%, respectively nor according to gender and type of relapse. Nevertheless, 11 out of 26 relapses in the ETV6/RUNX1 -positive ALL males (43%) were testicular (4 testis isolated) versus 16 out of 70 (23%) in ETV6/RUNX1 -negative ALL cases (p= 0.04). Thirty three (77%) had been stratified as LR (n=6) or IR (n=27) group and 32 displayed good early response at initial diagnosis. Thirty five (81.4%) patients were classified as S1/S2 and 8 (18.6%) as S3/S4. All but three received second line salvage therapy (37/40 were included in the COOPRALL 97) and 16 underwent an AlloSCT (6 S3/S4). Based on univariate analyses, the overall survival of ETV6-RUNX1 -positive ALL after relapse was significantly affected by the duration of the first remission with a OS that was significantly improved when relapse occurred after 36 months (5-year OS: 80.6+/−7.9% versus 34.7+/− 12.3, p=0.002). Female gender was also associated with a poor survival (p= 0.015), whereas the site of relapse (p= 0.13), age at initial diagnosis (p= 0.81), leukocytosis (p=0.42), and consolidation strategy (p=0.18) had no affect on survival. In multivariate Cox-regression analysis, only the duration of first remission remained associated with the outcome (Figure 1). Conclusions. We found a high rate of testicular relapse without any increase of other extramedullary sites and an excellent outcome for ETV6/RUNX1 -positive leukemia relapses occurring over 36 months post-diagnosis. These findings highlight the interest of a primary treatment able to cross the testicular barrier. They also support the hypothesis that ETV6/RUNX1 “late relapses” are due to a novel leukemic clone, sensitive to a novel cycle of ALL chemotherapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

From 06/93 to 12/99, 1395 children and adolescents were included in the FRALLE 93 protocol: group A (Very Low Risk): 182, B (Standard risk): 672 and C (High risk including T-ALL): 541. The median FU is 9.5 yr. Inclusion criterias in group B were: age between 1 and 15 yr, WBC< 100,000, BCP phenotype and no poor-prognosis cytogenetic feature (MLL rearrangement or Ph1). Group B pts were randomised in a 2-steps schedule: at inclusion: daunorubicin (DNR: 40 mg/m2 × 2) vs idarubicin (IDA: 8 mg/m2 × 2), and at consolidation: high-dose IV methotrexate (HD-MTX): 4 × 8g/m2 at D1, D15, D29 and D42, vs low-dose po MTX (LD-MTX): 4 × 25 mg/m2; the number of triple IT was the same for both arms (N = 18). Pts with CNS leukemia were not randomized for MTX. During induction, pts were also classified on D21 bone marrow aspiration according to the level of residual blasts: M1 (< 5%): n=555, M2 (6–25%): n=71 and M3 (> 25%): n=41; M2/M3 pts received 1 more antracyclin infusion at D22 and M3 pts were subsequently treated according to the HR group and not randomized for MTX. Both M1 and M2 pts who reached CR were randomized for MTX. The overall group B EFS, DFS and OS were respectively 80±2, 81±2, and 91±1%. Globally there is no statistically significant impact of 1st or 2nd randomization on the outcome of patients. When we look at the outcome according to the D21 status, the EFS are very different: M1: 84±2%, M2: 63±6% and M3: 74±7%. The very poor EFS of M2 pts, who can not actually be classified as SR pts, and the fact that M1 pts represent 90% of pts randomized for MTX led us to analyse separately M1 pts. For M1 pts there is no interaction between 1st and 2nd randomization for survival, EFS and relapse rate (Gail and Simon test, p = 0.51); therefore pts were pooled for 2nd randomization analysis. Among M1 pts, 271 pts were randomized for HD-MTX and 264 for LD-MTX; there is no difference regarding age or leucocytosis between the 2 arms. Results are as follows: 5-yr EFS Relapses CI iBM relapses CI Other relapses CI 5-yr OS (EFS: event-free survival, CI: cumulative incidence, iBM: isolated bone-marrow, OS: overall survival) HD-MTX 87.82±1.99% 0.12±0.04 7.01±0.02 5.17±0.02 95.20±1.30 LD-MTX 79.92±2.47% 0.20±0.06 10.6±0.03 9.10±0.03 88.64±1.95 Test log-rank Gray Gray Gray log-rank p value 0.028 0.037 0.16 0.18 0.07 At the contrary, among M2 pts there is no difference in EFS for pts treated with HD-MTX (61±7%) and LD-MTX (65±9%) Conclusion: HD-MTX seems to benefit to pts with standard-risk BCP-ALL and good early response to chemotherapy, and the benefit is associated with a reduction in the number of relapses. No benefit is demonstrated in M2 pts with SER who have a very poor outcome and do require a more intensive treatment; the better EFS of M3 patients treated with double delayed intensification is in favour of this hypothesis.

Adolescence has been claimed since the seventies to be associated to a a bad prognosis in childhood ALL. Out of 4658 patients with ALL, 258 adolescents (15–20 year old)(5.5%) were treated in the successive FRALLE 83, FRALLE 87–89, FRALLE 92 (pilot phase), FRALLE 93 and FRALLE 2000 protocols. The main characteristics were: a sex ratio of 1.8 (M/F), a B-lineage in 71% of the cases vs T lineage in 29%, and a median WBC of 12 G/L (9–1000). Translocation and fusion transcripts were searched for in 120 evaluable BCP-ALL: t(9;22)/BCR-ABL, 8 pts (6%); t(1;19)/E2A-PBX1, 12 pts (10%); t(4;11)/MLL-AF4, 4 pts (3%). Out of 75 evaluable pts t(12;21)/TEL-AML1 was found in only 4 pts (3%). 242 out of 258 adolescents were in CR at the end of induction therapy(EOI)(94%) without any significant difference according to the era. Nevertheless a major difference in the 3y and 5y EFS was found: Number of pts CR at EOI (%) 3y EFS (%) 5y EFS (%) 10y EFS (%) *: p=.04; **: p=.04 Eighties (F83, F87–89) 100 93 42 +/− 5 35 +/− 5 35 +/− 5 Nineties (F92, F93) 84 93 71 +/−5* 67 +/− 5** 67 +/− 5 2000– (F2000) 74 96 86 +/−5* 86 +/− 10** NYA The main modification introduced in the nineties was the adoption of a double delayed intensification for the good early responders. Autologous BMT or allogenic BMT were indicated in bad early responders (D8 poor prednisone response, D21 marrow M3 response) and/or unfavourable cytogenetics. The better results of the 2000 protocol can mainly be explained by the further intensification of chemotherapy between induction and delayed Intensification 1 and before delayed Intensification 2. These better results were obtained despite decreasing the indications of BMT (6 performed vs 20 in the nineties) and of CNS irradiation (100% in the nineties vs 35% in the current era, including the TBI for BMTs). Conclusions:excellent results can now be achieved in adolescents with ALLthis study emphasizes again the need to treat adolescents with ALL according to pediatric intensive protocols and not “adult-type” protocols, as we recently suggested (Boissel et al, J Clin Oncol 2003).Whether this could also be applied to young adults remains to be demonstrated but seems appealing.

TLS is a metabolic complication of haematological malignancies, which can translate in renal impairment. As previously described (Goldman S.C. et al,Blood2001; 972998–3003 and Pui C.H.et al., J.Clin.Oncol.2001;19,697–704), some patients are at High Risk (HR) of developing TLS. Rasburicase (R) a recombinant urate oxidase which transforms uric acid into a highly soluble compound, allantoin, more easily excreted by the kidneys, is highly effective in the prevention and treatment of TLS. SFCE has made recommendations for the management of TLS in children and developed a prospective survey in order to validate these recommendations. Patients and Methods: HR pts were defined as: Acute Lymphoblastic (ALL) or Myeloblastic (AML) Leukaemia with initial leucocytes counts of at least 50x109/L, B cell ALL, Stage III and IV T or B Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), any leukaemia or NHL with a plasma uric acid concentration (U) of at least 300mmoles/L if ≤ 10 years old or 350mmoles/L if ≥ 10 years old, or any disease with serum creatinine (C) or lactate deshydrogenase concentration (LDH) exceeding twice the upper limit of normal (N), hyperphosphatemia (P)≥ 2 mmoles/L. These pts received hydration (3L/m2) ± alkalinization and R 0,20 mg/kg/d x 5 days. If C >1,5 N or P> 3mmoles/L or U ≥ 200mmoles/l, R administration is prolonged until normalization. Low risk (LR) pts, defined as not HR, received hydration 3L/m2 and R 0,20 mg/kg/for only one day. R could be prolonged according to the same criteria as HR pts. Results: Between May and December 2004, 174 patients including 91 boys and 83 girls (median age 5 years) were treated according to these recommendations, in 8 centers in France. Initial diagnosis was LA in141 and NHL in 33. 143 patients (82%) were classified HR and 31 LR (18%). In the HR group, the patients received a median of 5 days of treatment with R (1–12) and in the LR group a median of 1 day (0–5). 25% of HR patients required treatment prolongation, while the LR group treatment prolongation was needed for 1 patient (3%). No complication of TLS was observed. Conclusions: these results show that the risk classification as established by the SFCE was accurate and that the treatment guidelines was effective for the control of hyperuricemia and TLS.

From December 2000 to May 2004, 433 children with SR-BCP-ALL (age: 1–9, WBC 1%). RESULTS: 1. Efficacy : no leukemic induction failure and a low incidence of patients with D21 M2/M3 marrow have been observed (5 % versus 13% in the FRALLE 93 for the same population). Only 4 out 319 evaluable pts (1.3%) have a high EOI MRD (≥ 1%) at the end of induction therapy. Five relapses have only been observed yet even if MFU is still short (31 months). 2.Toxicity: Seven cases of non leukemic deaths have been observed. Main grade III-IV toxicities were attributable to L-Aspa (CNS thrombosis: 5pts, pancreatitis: 8 cases, allergic reaction during DI °2: 35 pts). One case of secondary AML was observed (UPN98: no DNR) (25 months of CR) with translocation t(9;11) and MLL rearrangement. 3.Randomization: at this FU no difference between the DNR+ and DNR- arms is obvious neither in terms of toxicity nor efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the initial unusual toxicities mentioned where related to asparaginase even if potentially increased by the use of DEX during induction. Since most of the pancreatitis or CNS thrombosis episodes have been reported before July 2002, a potential hypothesis on the variation in the batches of the E.Coli asparaginase used in France can be made beside the classical ones (learning effect ....). Efficacy results, although preliminary, are very encouraging since at the same MFU 4 times more relapses (20 out of 410 pts) were observed in the FRALLE 93 for a comparable population.

The most frequent oncogenic activation events characterized in childhood T acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) result in the transcriptional activation of genes coding for transcription factors. The main genes are TAL1/SCL, a member of the basic region helix-loop-helix gene family, HOX11L2 a member of the homeobox-containing protein family. Conflicting results have been reported concerning molecular epidemiology and prognostic values of these markers (Cavé Blood2003:103442–445, Ferrando Cancer Cell 2002, Dicciani Blood 2003 abs 67) we therefore analysed retrospectively 200 pts treated in the French protocol FRALLE 93 for T-ALL between 11/93 and 12/99. Pts were stratified according to prednisone response at D8 ( good or poor : GPR or PPR) and bone marrow at D21. Pts with D8 PPR or M3 received an intensified treatment with genoidentical or autologous transplant in CR1. Molecular analysis was possible for 79/200 T-ALL samples. Clinical caracteristics were not significantly different between population with or without molecular analysis male (n=121) (69% vs 70%), median age 8.4y (range1.1–19.5) vs 9.2y, median leucocytosis 140.109 (0.6–736) vs 171.915 109 (100 n=48), mediastinal involvement 72% vs 71% ,CNS+ 4% vs 5%, CD 10 neg 54% vs 52%. Steroid response PPR n=37/73, GPR n=36/73 and D21 bone marrow status (M3 n=10, M2 n=11) were similar. CR was obtained in 72/79 pts (91%) after first induction therapy and 2 deaths occurs during induction treatment. With a median follow-up of 63 months (2–123), 5 y OS , EFS and DFS is 62 %± 9 and 54% ±10. SIL-TAL1/SCL fusion was detected in 20/79 (25%) pts; expression of HOX11L2 was observed in 14/79 (17%) pts. These activations are mutually exclusive and they allow the subclassification of 42 % of the patients. Median leucocytosis was significantly higher in SIL-TAL1/SCL pts (p=0.01) but other significant features ( ie median age, D8 response, D21 status) were not significantly different between each group. OS and EFS for TAL1/SCL , HOX11L2+ and none of these were respectively 81%±10, 43%±13, 62%± 7 and 80%±10 , 42%± 13, 55%± 7. OS and EFS D8 PPR/GPR were 47%± 9 vs 78% ±7 (p=0.009) and 41%±8 vs 71%±7 (p= 0.008); OS and EFS M2M3 vs M1 D21 bone marrow status were 45%± 15 vs 70% ±6 (p=0.05) and 36%±10 vs 66%± 6 (p= 0.018). In multivariate Cox model analysis, D8 steroid response and HOX11L2 expression were significantly associated with adverse event (failure or relapse) Risk Ratio :3 and 2.6 - p=0.008 and 0.03 and a higher risk of death Risk Ratio : 4.1 and 3.4 -p=0.061 and 0.05. Finally HOX11L2 expression and D8 PPR are independently associated with poor outcome in FRALLE 93 protocol analysis which confirms our previous report. Discrepancies among series may be explained by confounding factors such as differences in median leucocytes value(140.109 in our study) and treatment.

From Dec 2000 to Dec 2003, 390 children with SR-BCP-ALL (age: 1–9, WBC 10−3, or according to the exact level of positivity. Results: 1) 15% (51/336 pts) of the SR-BCP ALL have a detectable MRD at EOI 2) As expected, whatever the threshold, pts with D21 M2/M3 marrow are more likely to have a detectable MRD (p=.0017). But 43/316 M1 pts (14%) have a highly +ve (n=19;6%) or weakly +ve MRD (n=24 ; 8%). Surprisingly, only 1 out 20 M2M3 pts had a MRD > 10−2 while it is the case for 8 out 316 M1 pts (p=NS). If only pts receiving DNR are considered (DNR+ M1 pts and all M2/M3 pts), again pts with D21 M2/M3 marrow are more likely to have a detectable MRD (p=.0015). 3) If we compare the MRD levels in the 2 arms (DNR+ve or neg) in the 315/343 M1 pts evaluable for MRD: 136 pts in each arm had no detectable MRD; 16 and 8 have a weak positivity in the DNR− and DNR+ arm respectively while 10 and 9 have a weak positivity in the DNR− and DNR+ arm respectively: p= .29). If the exact level is considered, this absence of difference remains at all levels considered. Conclusions: 15% of the SR-BCP ALL have a detectable MRD at EOI after a three or four-drug induction. D21 M2/M3 pts are more likely than M1 pts to have a detectable MRD at EOI but 14% of the D21 M1 pts have a high (> 10−3) or very high MRD (> 10−2) which confirms the added value of MRD detection to classical morphology. The MRD level at EOI is not different in SR-BCP-ALL after a three or four-drug induction regimen. This is of paramount importance since EOI MRD is a surrogate marker for probability of relapse.

The FRALLE 93A protocol aimed to identify a very low-risk ALL subgroup, to limit treatment morbidity and to investigate the value of intermediate dose methotrexate. Inclusion criteria were : B-cell precursor ALL, age 2-7 years, leukocyte count 181 children were included (13.5% of all the ALL included in the FRALLE 93 protocol) between June 1993 and Dec 1999. After a predisone prophase and induction phase (4-week daily prednisone, 4 weekly vincristine, thrice weekly 10,000 units of E coli asparaginase for 6 doses), during the 12-week antimetabolite consolidation therapy, patients were randomized to receive either low-dose methotrexate (25 mg/m2 p.o.) (lmtx) or 6 doses of intermediate dose methotrexate (IMTX) at 1500 mg/m2 by 24 hours infusion. Further therapy included a CCG type delayed intensification (dexamethasone, weekly vindesine, 3 doses of weekly doxorubicin and asparaginase, cytarabine) but without cyclophosphamide and a two years maintenance treatment. All pts received 16 triple intrathecal injections. The complete remission rate was 99.5%. The overall survival and event-free survival at 5 years were 93 % ± 4 % and 82 % ± 6 % (point date : 01.01.04). Only 1pt was considered prednisone-resistant (0.5%) D21 M1 marrow response is associated to a better 5 y EFS (86 + 5% vs 44 + 21% for M2/M3 pts (18 pts); p=0.001). Among 158 randomized patients, 9 testicular/meningeal relapses (6 isolated, 3 combined) occurred in the lmtx arm versus 1 in the IMTX arm (p=0.03) ; six BM relapses occurred in the lmtx group vs 9 in the IMTX group (p= NS). The 5-year DFS is not different 83% ± 8% and 85% ± 8% (p=0.47). Conclusion: a high cure rate could be achieved in low-risk ALL without cranial radiation, alkylating agents or epipodophyllotoxin and with a low cumulative dose of anthracyclins (75 mg/m2). Prednisone response is of no help in this subgroup of BCP-ALL. D21 marrow response allows to identify a very low-risk subgroup in addition to initial criteria. IMTX proved superior to lmtx in preventing testicular or meningeal relapse in low-risk ALL.

From January 2000 to July 2006, 580 BCR-ABL negative patients with HR/VHR-ALL (200 T-ALL and 380 BCP-ALL (age≥10 or WBC≥50 or CNS+ or MLL-R) were included in the FRALLE 2000-BT trials. Induction regimen is prednisone (PRED) prephase + IT MTX, VCR, L-Aspa, DNR 120mg/m2 cumulated dose or DNR 160mg/m2 + cyclophosphamide 1g/m2 (T-ALL and D21 M2M3 marrow or MLL-R BCP-ALL). MRD at EOI is quantitatively determined by DNA-based PCR for Ig/TCR rearrangements either competitive PCR with GeneScan analysis or RQ-PCR with clone specific primers (sensitivity ranges 0.5×10−3–10−3, and 10−3–10−5, respectively). MRD status at EOI are available for 425 out of 552 CR (77%). MRD results are reported as negative, positive Results: 30% (89/293) of HR/VHR BCP-ALL and 34% (45/132) T-ALL have detectable MRD at EOI, NS. A high or very high MRD is encountered in 16% (47/293) of BCP-ALL and 21% (27/132) of T-ALL (NS). Surprisingly 57% (20/35) of the pts with BCP-ALL and D8 poor PRED response (PPR) and 71% (36/51) of the pts with D8 PPR T-ALL have a negative or slightly positive MRD ( Conclusions: the incidence of high and very high MRD at EOI is identical in children with HR/VHR-BCP- and T-ALL. High and very high MRD levels are found in good early responders defined by morphology. Conversely, excellent molecular responses can be found in bad early responders. High or very high MRD values are associated to a comparable prognosis between BCP- and T-ALLs.

Abstract 135 From December 2000 to June 2010, 1201 children with SR-BCP-ALL (age: 1–9 years, WBC Results: 1. Overall efficacy: No leukemic induction failure was observed; 4 induction deaths (0.3%) occurred leading to a 99.7% CR rate. Only 30 out 1097 evaluable pts (2.7%) had a decisional EOI MRD ≥ 1%. Eighty-two relapses have been observed (BM: 47, CNS+: 24, BM+CNS: 9, testis: 2). For the whole population 5-year EFS is 91.5% (95%CI: 89.8–93.3), 5-year OS is 97.4% (95%CI: 96.4–98.4). 5-yr EFS and OS for the A1 and A3 groups are 93.1% vs. 61.2% (p 2. Overall toxicity: 5 non leukemic deaths have been observed after CR (0.4%). Other main toxicities were attributable to ASPA (CNS thrombosis: 1.5%, grade 3–4 pancreatitis: 0.8%, allergic reaction-all grades- during DI °2: 70%). Six cases of secondary neoplasms were observed (AML: 5 pts, astrocytoma: 1 pt). 3. Randomization: 5y EFS and OS from randomization was 92.9% and 97.2% for D21 M1 pts DNR(+) versus 93.3% and 98.2% for D21 M1 DNR(-) pts (p= 0.89 and p= 0.85, respectively). Interestingly EOI MRD levels in the two arms were not different at the sensitivity cut-off of 10−2 (p=0.93) or 10−3(p= 0.74). 4. Prognostic factors: For the whole population, age < 6 years, WBC < 20.000/mm3, ETV6-RUNX1 positivity, as well as D21 marrow M1 and EOI MRD levels of 10−2 and 10−3 were all associated to EFS in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis remain only WBC < 20.000/mm3 (p=.001), ETV6-RUNX1 positivity (p=.02), EOI MRD levels ≤ 10−3 (p=1.4×10−5). Considering only randomized pts (D21M1 pts) age Conclusions: Very good results were obtained with this VCR-DEX-ASPA oriented protocol. SR-BCP ALL pts which represents around 55 % of all children with ALL can be cured with a modest dose of anthracyclin (75 mg/m2). A further decrease in therapy based on the identified prognostic factors could be proposed. Intensification of the chemotherapy for the rare SR pts with a very high MRD has salvaged half of these pts but the addition of new drugs and/or HSCT is now to be evaluated. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.