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Modern treatments have dramatically improved the prognosis of childhood acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). This progress has not yielded equivalent benefit in developing countries, where biological studies and supportive cares are insufficient and often unavailable. Since 2003, an all-trans retinoic (ATRA)-based, risk-adapted protocol was initiated in Baghdad. Patients were defined: high-risk with WBC ≥10 × 10

Iraq's health care system has gradually declined after several decades of wars, terrorism, and UN economic sanctions. The Oncology Unit at Children's Welfare Teaching Hospital (CWTH) in Baghdad was lacking basic facilities and support. To address this shortcoming, a humanitarian and educational partnership was established between CWTH and Sapienza University of Rome (SUR).We investigated the outcomes of 80 online and 16 onsite educational sessions and 142 teleconsultation sessions from 2006 to 2014. We also determined the outcomes of pathology reviews by SUR of 1216 tissue specimens submitted by CWTH from 2007 until 2019 for second opinions. The primary outcomes were discordance, concordance, and changes among clinical diagnoses and pathology review findings. The measures included the frequency of teleconsultation and tele-education sessions, the topics discussed in these sessions, and the number of pathology samples requiring second opinions.A total of 500 cases were discussed via teleconsultations during the study period. The median patient age was 7 years (range, 24 days to 16·4 years), and the cases comprised 79 benign tumors, 299 leukemias, 120 lymphomas, and 97 solid tumors. The teleconsultation sessions yielded 27 diagnostic changes, 123 confirmed diagnoses, and 13 equivocal impacts. The pathology reviews by SUR were concordant for 996 (81·9%) cases, discordant for 186 (15·3%), and inconclusive for 34 (2·8%). The major cause of discordance was inadequate immunohistochemical staining. The percentage of discordance markedly decreased over time (from 40% to 10%). The cause of the improvement is multifactorial: training of two CWTH pathologists at SUR, better immunohistochemical staining, and the ongoing clinical and pathologic telemedicine activities. The partnership yielded 12 publications, six posters, and three oral presentations by CWTH investigators.The exchange of knowledge and expertise across continental boundaries meaningfully improved the diagnoses and management of pediatric cancer at CWTH.

We performed a retrospective analysis of 1415 acute lymphoblastic leukemia children diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2016 at Children Welfare Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. Patients were divided into three cohorts according to treatment period (2000-2005; 2006-2011; 2012-2016). Treatments were based on modified-UKALL protocols; a steroid-pre-phase was introduced from September 2008. The overall complete remission was 86%, increased from 80% to 91% in the last period. Early deaths occurred in 10%, decreasing to 6%, overtime. Relapses were 23%; toxic deaths and abandonment 8% and 13%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 65.3 months, with abandonment considered as an event, the 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival were 62.2% and 46.3%, statistically influenced by treatment period (5-year OS 62.6%, 59.1%, 66.3%; p=.057, respectively). Though pediatric ALL survival in Iraq is still below that observed in high income countries, survival rates progressively improved. Toxic deaths remain an important cause of failure.

Since 2000, an adapted LMB 96 protocol was implemented at the Children-Welfare-Teaching-Hospital in Baghdad for the treatment of childhood B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The first experience (2000-2005) demonstrated efficacy and feasibility of this protocol in Iraq. In 2006, further adjustments were made in an attempt to reduce therapy-related toxicities. The outcome of the second cohort of 190 children (2006-2010) and the comparison with the previous study are hereby reported. Out of the 180 treated patients, 120 achieved a complete response; during treatment 51 died and 9 abandoned. The 60-month overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 64.7 and 56.3%, respectively. No differences were observed in the 24-month OS and EFS between the 2000-2005 and 2006-2010 cohorts (66.3% vs. 65.1%; p = .89 and 53.3% vs. 57.3%; p = .28, respectively). Therapeutic group-B in the second cohort showed better outcome, although not significant, compared to the first one (EFS 62.9% vs. 53.8%; p = .088). Therapy-related mortality remained high.

BACKGROUND: Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common childhood kidney cancer worldwide, yet its incidence and clinical behavior vary according to race and access to adequate healthcare resources. In order to guide and streamline therapy in the war-torn and resource-constrained city of Baghdad, Iraq, we conducted a first-ever molecular analysis of 20 WT specimens to characterize the biological features of this lethal disease within this challenged population. METHODS: Next Generation Sequencing of 10 target genes associated with WT development and treatment resistance (WT1, CTNNB1, WTX, IGF2, CITED1, SIX2, p53, NMYC, CRABP2, and TOP2A) was completed. Immunohistochemistry was performed for 6 marker proteins of WT (WT1, CTNNB1, NCAM, CITED1, SIX2, and p53). Patient outcomes were compiled. RESULTS: Mutations were detected in previously described WT “hot spots” (e.g., WT1 and CTNNB1) as well as novel loci that may be unique to the Iraqi population. Immunohistochemistry showed expression domains most typical of blastemal-predominant WT. Remarkably, despite the challenges facing families and care providers, only one child, with combined WT1 and CTNNB1 mutations, was confirmed dead from disease. Median clinical follow-up was 40.5 months (range, 6 to 78 months). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that WT biology within a population of Iraqi children manifests features both similar to and unique from disease variants in other regions of the world. These observations will help to risk stratify WT patients living in this difficult environment to more or less intensive therapies and to focus treatment on cell-specific targets.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related lymphoproliferative disorders are relatively common in Iraqi children. Burkitt lymphoma (BL) accounted for 40% of lymphoma cases. The mean age of 125 BL cases was 5.9 ± 3.1 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 3.6:1. Clinical presentation was abdominal in 66% and head and neck in 34%. Bone marrow involvement was higher (P

Background: Lymphoblastic lymphomas (LBL) are neoplasms of precursor T cells and B cells, or lymphoblasts. The term lymphoblastic lymphoma has been used to describe predominantly lymph node– based disease; however, clinical distinction between LBL and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been arbitrary and has varied among different studies and institutionsObjectives: To determine the frequency of LBL among all Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) patients in children and to study the clinical and pathological features of LBL and assess the treatment outcome.Methods: A retrospective study included 28 children with newly diagnosed LBL (based on morphology) below the age of 14 years over 8 years period from January 1st, 2000 to December 31st, 2007 All the patients except one were treated by modified Medical Research Council UK National Randomized Trial For Children and young Adult with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (MRC UKALL) regimen, one patient was misdiagnosed as B-cell NHL and treated with United Kingdom Children’s Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma protocol.Results: LBL forms 28/376 (7.1%) among NHL diagnosed in Children Welfare Teaching Hospital (CWTH) in the same period. The median age was 8.95 years (range 2 to 13.25 years) with male to female ratio of 3.7:1. Lymphadenopathy was present in 22 (78 .6%) of patients. The median duration of onset of symptoms was 7.25 months (range 1 week to 18 months). In response to treatment, 20 (71.4%) patients achieved complete remission (CR), 1 (3.6%) died during induction and 7 (25%) patients were non-responder (4 died and 3 abandoned). Of the 20 patients who achieved complete remission (CR); thirteen (46.4%) remained in continuous complete remission with a median follow up of 32.3 months, 3 (10.7%) patients died while inCR in an average of 16.6 weeks, 2 (7.1%) patients abandoned treatment and 2 (7.1%) patients relapsed.Conclusion: The study showed a low frequency of LBL in comparison with other studies which might be due to inadequate diagnostic facilities which differentiate LBL from other types of NHL, low survival rate might be due to advanced stages at presentation in addition to abandonment of treatment in some patients

Background Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) in children is often associated with EBV infection, more commonly in developing countries. Procedure Here we describe the histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of 57 cases of HL affecting Iraqi children under 14 years of age. Results Histologically, 51 cases were classified as cHL of Mixed Cellularity and Nodular Sclerosis subtypes (MC = 69%; NS = 31%), and 6 cases as Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant HL (NLP-HL). EBV infection of H/RS cells was demonstrated in 44 of 51 cases of cHL (86%), and was more common in MC than in NS (97% vs. 63%; P = 0.0025). The immunophenotypic profile of H/RS cells was similar in MC and NS, and was not influenced by EBV infection; H/RS cells were consistently positive for PAX-5 and to a lesser degree for other B cell markers including CD20/CD79a, OCT-2, and BOB-1. Clonal IGH rearrangements were detected in 14 of 38 cHL (37%), with no significant difference between MC and NS cases, and with no association with the EBV status. Oligoclonal/monoclonal TCRγ rearrangements were present in 28 of 38 cases (74%), suggestive of restricted T cell responses. Conclusions Our findings indicate that cHL occurring in Iraqi children is characterized by immunohistochemical and molecular features undistinguishable from those present in cHL occurring elsewhere in the world. Moreover, the high incidence of EBV-infected H/RS cells and frequent occurrence of restricted T cell responses might be indicative of a defective local immune response perhaps related to the very young age of the children. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:2068–2072. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This study estimated the incidence of viral hepatitis in children treated for cancer, to identify variables that could affect this incidence and to assess the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in preventing infection. Between September 2007 and June 2008, 256 children in the haemato-oncology unit at the Children's Welfare Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, were studied prospectively. Demographic and clinical data and vaccination history were recorded. Patients were tested for HBV at the time of diagnosis (all were negative) and after starting chemotherapy. On admission to the unit, 231 patients (90.2%) were revaccinated. At reassessment after treatment for cancer, HBV infection was found in 70 patients (27.3%). The variables that significantly increased the risk for HBV infection were a diagnosis of leukaemia and receiving more than 3 units of blood. A higher number of HBV vaccinations in hospital reduced the risk for HBV infection. The high rate of acquisition of HBV infection found in this study indicates the need for better screening of blood products and adherence to aseptic techniques in management of this group of patients.

Background An adapted LMB 96 derived protocol for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was implemented at the pediatric oncology unit of the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital in Baghdad (Iraq) from 2000 to present. The purpose was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of this intensive therapeutic regimen in a limited resource country. Methods Patients

This brief report displays comprehensive details of health services provided by Children's Welfare Teaching Hospital, medical city, Baghdad. In 2010; 366 children with newly diagnosed cancer were admitted for treatment, two thirds were leukemia and lymphoma cases followed by other solid tumors except brain tumors. With this large number of patients; there are shortcomings in provision of health services in many aspects including professional manpower, infrastructure, diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, supportive and palliative care. The previous wars and sanction and the current instability of the country added to the socioeconomic difficulties of the families jeopardizing the appropriate therapy and ultimately the poor treatment outcome. Since 2003 an international collaboration had a major contribution in many aspects like provision of drugs and medical supplies, attendance of scientific workshops, and updating doctor's knowledge and experience through telemedicine programs which resulted in decreasing the induction mortality in acute lymphoblastic leukemia from 24% in the year 2007% to 10% in 2010 after introduction of pre-phase steroids and in acute promyelocytic leukemia from 95% to 5% after introduction of all trans-retinoic acid. A collaborative work with Rome University resulted in changing diagnosis of 20% of pathological samples sent there for reevaluation. Iraqi pediatric oncologists still need real attempts to improve infrastructure and human resources in addition to twinning programs with internationally recognized cancer centers to face these management challenges.

An adapted LMB 96 derived protocol for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was implemented at the pediatric oncology unit of the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital in Baghdad (Iraq) from 2000 to present. The purpose was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of this intensive therapeutic regimen in a limited resource country.Patients15 years of age with high grade B-cell NHL were included. A modified LMB 96 regimen was employed with a reduction of cyclophosphamide and methotrexate dosages due to inadequate laboratory facilities and supportive care.Between 2000 and 2005, 261 children with non-lymphoblastic NHL were registered; 239 were eligible for the analysis. Two patients had stage I disease, 20 stage II, 179 stage III, and 38 stage IV. Fifty-two patients (22%) had bulky disease. Twelve children were assigned to therapeutic group A (low risk), 184 to group B (intermediate risk), and 43 to group C (high risk). One hundred and eighty-four patients (77%) had a complete response after the COP pre-phase. Sixty-nine patients (29%) died during treatment. Twenty-nine patients abandoned treatment. At 24 months, the overall survival rate of the entire patient population was 66% (CI 95%: 62.2-70.6) and the event-free survival rate 53.3% (CI 95%: 50.0-56.8).The treatment schedule proved effective, but the treatment-related mortality due to infections and metabolic complications was very high owing to the limited supportive care available. The high rate of treatment abandonment was also an important cause of failure, especially for children living far away from the hospital.

Abstract 2132 The overall cure rates for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated and managed in high-income countries have reached approximately 80% over the last two decades. Unfortunately, these advances in survival have not fully translated into low-income countries where the survival rates remain significantly lower ( Our experience confirms that a protocol-based care of children with ALL has to include the prednisone pre-phase that in low-income countries may contribute to a better risk definition and also to a significant reduction of early TRM. Disclosures: Foa: Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau.