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Background Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is a biologically heterogeneous subtype of acute myeloid leukemia that originates from megakaryocytes. Patients with AMKL with non-Down syndrome (DS) had a poorer prognosis. However, clear prognostic indicators and treatment recommendations for this subgroup remain controversial. Patients and Methods Herein, we performed a retrospective study on 40 patients (age ≤ 18 years) with non-Down syndrome AMKL at our institution. We assessed the effect of different prognostic factors, such as their cytogenetic abnormalities, early treatment response, and the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as post-remission treatment on the outcomes. Results The complete remission (CR) rate of the patients was 57.9% and 81.1%, respectively, at the end of induction therapy 1 and 2. The overall survival (OS) and event-free survival rates at 2 years were 41% ± 13% and 41% ± 10%, respectively. An analysis of the cytogenetic features showed that patients with +21 or hyperdiploid (> 50 chromosomes) had significantly better OS than those in other cytogenetic subgroups (Plog-rank = .048 and Plog-rank = .040, respectively). Besides cytogenetics, an excellent early treatment response (CR and minimal residual disease Conclusion AMKL in patients with non-Down syndrome has a poor outcome. With poor OS but CR rates comparable with other acute myeloid leukemia subtypes, allogenic HSCT may be a better option for post-remission therapy than conventional chemotherapy, especially for those having a poor response to induction therapy.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous disease whose prognostic factors include minimal residual disease (MRD) and cytogenetic abnormalities. To explore the significance of MRD in ALL subtypes, we analyzed the outcomes of 1126 children treated with risk-stratified therapy based on sequential MRD monitoring. MRD distributions and treatment outcomes differed between distinct leukemia subtypes. Patients with ETV6-RUNX1 or hyperdiploidy had the best prognosis (5-year OS: 97 ± 1.5% and 89.2 ± 2.7%). However, hyperdiploidy patients with MRD ≥ 10% on day 15 had a higher risk of relapse (36.4%) than those with ETV6-RUNX1. TCF3-PBX1 patients had the fastest disease clearance (negative MRD rate on day 33: 92.1%), but the overall prognosis was intermediate (5-year OS: 82.5%). Patients with high-risk characteristics and ALL-T had inferior outcomes: even with undetectable MRD on day 33, cumulative incidence of relapse was 19.9% and 23.4%, respectively. Moreover, those with poor early-treatment response and detectable week-12 MRD had a worse prognosis. After adjusting for other risk factors, re-emergent MRD was the most significant adverse prognostic indicator overall. Sequential MRD measurement is important for MRD-guided therapy, and integration of MRD values at different timepoints based on leukemia subtype could allow for more refined risk stratification.

The presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) is a risk factor for relapse among children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and eliminating MRD can usually improve survival rates. To investigate the effect of expanded activated autologous lymphocytes (EAALs) combined with chemotherapy on eliminating MRD and improving survival rates of children with AML, we retrospectively analyzed the results of 115 children with low- or intermediate-risk AML with MRD treated at the Pediatric Hematological Center, Peking University People's Hospital, between January 2010 and January 2016. The patients were assigned to the chemotherapy plus EAAL (combined therapy) group (n = 61) and chemotherapy group (n = 54). The MRD-negativity rates were 95.1% (58/61) in the combined therapy group and 63.0% (34/54) in the chemotherapy group (P 0.0001) during consolidation treatment. The 5-year event-free survival rate was higher in the combined therapy group than in the chemotherapy group (86.3 ± 4.6% vs. 72.1 ± 6.1%, P = 0.025). No severe adverse event was observed after EAAL infusion. The present study showed that EAAL combined with chemotherapy could improve the MRD-negativity rate and event-free survival rate among children with AML with low level MRD-positive status.

Background The impact of extramedullary infiltration (EMI) on the clinical outcomes of pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are controversial. Patients and Methods A total of 214 pediatric patients with low-risk AML were classified as having EMI (central nervous leukemia [CNSL] and/or myeloid sarcoma [MS]) and not having EMI. Patients with isolated MS before AML diagnosis by bone marrow examination were confirmed with histopathologic examination. For patients diagnosed with AML by bone marrow examination, a thorough physical examination and radiologic imaging were used to confirm MS. Results Male gender, a high white blood cell count, the FAB-M5 subtype, t(8;21) and t(1;11) abnormalities, and c-KIT mutations were associated with EMI. The presence of MS was associated with a low complete remission rate (63.6% vs. 79.4%; P = .000) and poor 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) (62.6% ± 7.5% vs. 87.0% ± 2.8%; P = .000) and 3-year overall survival (73.5% ± 7% vs. 88.8% ± 2.6%; P = .011). Multivariate analysis revealed that MS was a poor prognostic factor for RFS and overall survival. Bone infiltration was an independent risk factor for inferior RFS with MS. Patients with CNSL had a low complete remission rate (58.3% vs. 77.2%; P = .045); however, CNSL did not significantly affect the survival of low-risk patients with AML. Conclusion MS should be considered an independent risk factor to guide stratified treatment.

Background: In pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), the IKZF1 gene deletions is an molecular marker of poor prognosis. We aimed to assess the prognostic effect of different levels of IKZF1 gene deletions in pediatric BCP-ALL. Procedure: IKZF1 Δ2-8/ALB deletions were quantified using multiplex real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) in newly diagnosed pediatric BCP-ALL patients between June 2014 and January 2018. Seventy-four patients with IKZF1 deletions of ≥ 0.01% were included. Clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and treatment outcomes were analyzed. Results: The patients were divided into two groups: IKZF1 deletions of < 1% (Group A) and of ≥ 1% (Group B). Patients in group B had a higher BCR-ABL1 positive rate than those in group A (P = 0.001). The proportions of patients who had an age at onset of ≥10 years old, and white blood cell count ≥ 50×109/L were significantly higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.05). The 3-year overall survival (OS) and 3-year event-free survival (EFS) rates in group B were 79 ± 8.8% and 62.4 ± 9.7%, respectively, which were significantly lower than the 3-year OS (97.7 ± 2.2%, P = 0.022) and 3-year EFS (83.2 ± 5.8%, P = 0.019) in group A. Multivariate analysis revealed that the level of IKZF1 deletions of ≥ 1% and CNSL were independent risk factors of EFS. Conclusions: Pediatric BCP-ALL patients with high levels of IKZF1 gene deletions have a poorer prognosis than those with low levels.

We explored the prognostic factors for children with very high-risk (VHR) Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) and compared the therapeutic effects of intensive chemotherapy and unmanipulated haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) as post-remission treatment in these patients undergoing first complete remission (CR1). A total of 104 paediatric patients with VHR B-ALL in CR1 were retrospectively enrolled in this study, including 42 receiving unmanipulated haplo-HSCT (Group A) and 62 receiving ongoing chemotherapy (Group B). Estimated 3-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) at 36·2 months median follow-up were 69·5 ± 4·7%, 63·5 ± 4·8% and 32·4 ± 4·7%, respectively. Maintenance of persistent positive or conversion from negative to positive of measurable residual disease (MRD) and chemotherapy were independent risk factors associated with inferior long-term survival and higher CIR. OS, DFS, and CIR differed significantly between the groups in patients with persistent positive or negative-to-positive MRD. Haplo-HSCT may be an option for children with VHR Ph-negative B-ALL in CR1, especially for patients with persistent positive or negative-to-positive MRD, and could achieve better survival than intensive chemotherapy as post-remission treatment.

The role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), particularly haploidentical (haplo)-HSCT, in pediatric patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) era is unclear. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors and explore the role of haplo-HSCT in the treatment of Ph+ ALL in the TKI era. We analyzed clinical data of Ph+ ALL patients aged 1 to 18 years who received imatinib added to intensive chemotherapy at the start of induction therapy. Among the 68 patients who completed at least 2 consolidation cycles, 44 underwent transplantation (transplant arm) and 24 received continuous TKI with chemotherapy (nontransplant arm). At the 3-year follow-up the cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) were 23.5%, 73.4%, and 80.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that hematologic response (whether complete remission [CR] was achieved) at the induction end, BCR-ABL levels (whether major molecular response [MMR] was achieved) at 3 months, and transplantation were independent affecting factors for CIR, EFS, and OS. In the risk stratification analysis based on the first 2 prognostic factors mentioned above, no significant difference existed between the transplant and nontransplant arms for the probabilities of 3-year OS, EFS, and CIR in the standard-risk group (no poor prognostic factors). Meanwhile, OS, EFS, and CIR rates were significantly better in the transplant arm in the high-risk group (≥1 poor prognostic factor). Among the 44 patients in the transplant arm, 37 underwent haplo-HSCT. Achieving CR at the induction end, MMR at 3 months, and haplo-transplant were also independent favorable factors of CIR, EFS, and OS in the nontransplant and haplo-HSCT arms. Haplo-HSCT showed a significant survival advantage in the high-risk group only. Hematologic response at the induction end and BCR-ABL levels at 3 months are likely to be useful for identifying pediatric Ph+ ALL patients at a high risk of relapse in the TKI era. Children with Ph+ ALL in first CR may benefit from allo-HSCT, particularly those at high risk. Haplo-HSCT could achieve good long-term survival for pediatric Ph+ ALL. Thus, haplo-HSCT can be an alternative approach for high-risk Ph+ ALL patients.

Introduction Residual disease (RD) detected using multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) is an independent predictive variable of relapse in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). However, RD thresholds and optimal assessment time points remain to be validated. Material and methods We investigated the significance of RD after induction therapy in paediatric AML with normal karyotype between June 2008 and June 2018. Bone marrow samples from 73 patients were collected at the end of the first (BMA-1) and second (BMA-2) induction courses to monitor RD using MFC. Results Presence of RD after BMA-1 and/or BMA-2 correlated with poor relapse-free (RFS) and overall survival at 0.1% RD cutoff level. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that RD cutoff levels of 1.3% and 0.5% after BMA-1 and BMA-2, respectively, predicted events with the highest sensitivity and specificity. In multivariable analysis, RD after BMA-2 was the strongest independent risk predictor for poor RFS (hazard ratio 2.934; 95% confidence interval: 1.106-7.782; P = .031). Conclusions Our study therefore suggests that an RD level ≥0.5% after BMA-2 has a significant predictive impact on the prognosis of AML patients having normal karyotype and thus guide the stratification of treatment strategies.

Background: The role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for children with high-risk (HR) T- cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in first complete remission (CR1) is still under critical discussion. Moreover, relapse is still the main factor affecting survival. This study explored the effect of allo-HSCT (especially haploidentical HSCT (haplo-HSCT) ) on improving survival and reducing relapse for children with HR T-ALL in CR1 and the prognostic factors of childhood T-ALL in order to identify who could benefit from HSCT.Methods: Seventy-four newly diagnosed pediatric T-ALL patients were included in this study and stratified into low-risk chemotherapy cohort (n=16), high-risk chemotherapy cohort (n=31) and high-risk transplant cohort (n=27). The characteristics, survival outcomes and prognostic factors of all patients were analyzed.Results: Patient prognosis in the high-risk chemotherapy cohort was significantly inferior to the low-risk chemotherapy cohort (5-year overall survival (OS): 51.2%±10% vs. 100%, P = 0.003; 5-year event-free survival (EFS): 48.4%±9.8% vs. 93.8%±6.1%, P = 0.01; 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR): 45.5%±0.8% vs. 6.3%±0.4%, P = 0.043). For high-risk patients, allo-HSCT could improve the 5-year EFS and CIR compared to chemotherapy (5-year EFS: 77.0%±8.3% vs. 48.4%±9.8%, P = 0.041; 5-year CIR: 11.9%±0.4% vs. 45.5%±0.8%, P = 0.011). 5-year OS in high-risk transplant cohort had a trend for better than that in high-risk chemotherapy cohort ( 77.0%±8.3% vs. 51.2%±10%, P = 0.084). Haplo-HSCT could reduce relapse and had a trend for improving long-term survival for HR patients when compared to the high-risk chemotherapy cohort (5-year OS: 80.0%±8.9% vs. 51.2%±10%, P = 0.093; 5-year EFS: 80.0%±8.9% vs. 48.4%±9.8%, P = 0.047; 5-year CIR: 13.9%±0.6% vs. 45.5%±0.8%, P = 0.022). Minimal residual disease (MRD) re-emergence was the independent risk factor associated with 5-year OS, EFS and CIR.Conclusions: allo-HSCT, especially haplo-HSCT, might effectively improve the survival outcomes for HR childhood T-ALL in CR1.

To explore the impact of induction treatment response on the prognosis of pediatric core binding factor-acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML).The result of induce reaction and survival data of 157 pediatric CBF-AML patients in our hospital from September 2008 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed．The survival rate of the patients with different degrees of morphological remission after induction chemotherapy was comparative analyzed.Among the 157 children with CBF-AML, 113 (72.4%) patients achieved morphologic leukemia-free state (MLFS) after the first course of induction chemotherapy, 153 (98.1%) patients achieved MLFS after the second course of induction chemotherapy. The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of patients with non-remission (NR) status after the first course of induction of chemotherapy was significantly lower than the patients achieved MLFS and the patients achieved partial remission (PR). The 5-year EFS rate and 5-year OS rate of the patients with PR status after the second course of induction chemotherapy were lower than the patients achieved MLFS, but the difference was not statistically significant. Multivariable analyze showed that NR after the first course of induction chemotherapy and myeloid sarcoma were the independent risk factors affecting EFS of the patients. There were six patients with NR status after the first course of induction chemotherapy, in which all of them harbored t(8;21), three of them with sex chromosome deletion, two of them with myeloid sarcoma.NR status after the first course of induction chemotherapy was the independent risk factor affecting EFS and OS of CBF-AML patients, it can be taken as an indicator for higher risk stratification. PR status after the first course of induction chemotherapy may not be used as a diagnostic criterion for primary drug resistance.诱导化疗后骨髓缓解程度对儿童核心结合因子相关性急性髓系白血病预后的影响.探讨诱导化疗后骨髓形态学缓解程度对儿童核心结合因子相关性急性髓系白血病(CBF-AML)预后的影响.回顾性分析2008年9月至2018年12月我科收治的157例CBF-AML患儿诱导后反应结果及生存资料。对不同骨髓缓解程度患儿的生存进行对比分析.157例患者中，113例(72.4%)第一个疗程诱导化疗后获形态学无白血病状态（MLFS），153例(98.1%)在第二个疗程后获MLFS。1个疗程诱导后未缓解（NR）患儿的5年无事件生存（EFS）率及总生存（OS）率均显著性低于1个疗程诱导化疗后获MLFS及部分缓解（PR）的患儿。经过2个疗程诱导化疗后达到PR患儿的5年EFS及OS均明显低于达到MLFS的患儿，但差异无统计学意义。多因素分析显示，1个疗程NR及伴髓系肉瘤为影响CBF-AML患儿 EFS的独立危险因素。本研究中，共6例患儿1个疗程后NR，均为伴t(8;21)患儿，其中有3例伴性染色体缺失，有2例伴髓系肉瘤.1个疗程诱导化疗后形态学NR为影响CBF-AML患儿EFS及 OS的独立危险因素，应提高危险度及早调整治疗方案以改善预后。对于CBF-AML患儿来说，诱导化疗PR患儿可不作为原发耐药的诊断标准.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical-biological characteristics and prognosis of pediatric pro-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pro-B-ALL). METHODS: A total of 64 patients aged less than 18 years old with pro-BALL were enrolled. Clinical characteristics, therapeutic effect and prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Pro-B-ALL occurred in 6.23% (64/1 028) of pediatric ALL. Among the 64 patients, 35 were male and 29 were female. The median age was 7.0 years (range 0.4-16.0 years) at diagnosis, of which 39% and 6% were ≥ 10 years old and < 1 year old respectively. The median WBC count was 25.5×10(9)/L[range (0.4-831.9)×10(9)/L], of which 35.9% were ≥ 50×10(9)/L. MLL-r positivity was the most frequent genetic alteration in pro-B ALL, occurring in 34% of patients, with lower frequency of CD22 and CD13 expression and higher frequency of CD7 expression, while lower frequency of CD33 expression was found in patients with MLL-AF4 positivity. At a median follow-up of 60.0 months (range 4.9-165.3 months), the estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in the 64 patients were (85±5)% and (78±5)% respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified MRD ≥ 0.1% at 3 months after chemotherapy as an independent adverse prognostic factor for both 5-year OS and EFS. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric pro-B ALL is a heterogeneous disease with clinical and biological diversity. Biological characteristics, such as immunological markers, genetic alterations, and MRD at 3 months after chemotherapy may be important factors for the long-term prognosis.

Background chimeric antigen receptor–modified T cell (CAR-T) therapy is an effective and promising treatment for refractory and multiply relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Because of its side effects and poor responses such as neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome, patients with central nervous system leukemia were excluded in most previous clinical trials of CAR-T treatment. Patients and Methods We enrolled 3 B-ALL patients with central nervous system leukemia relapse. They were infused with CD19-specific CAR-Ts, and their clinical responses were evaluated by bone marrow smear, flow cytometry, and cytogenetic alterations detected by quantitative PCR, interleukin-6, and the expansion and persistence of circulating CAR-Ts in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Results After CAR-T infusion, 2 of the 3 patients experienced bone marrow minimal residual disease–negative complete remission, and all patients tested negative for residual leukemia cells in cerebrospinal fluid tested by flow cytometry. These 3 patients experienced grade 2 or 3 cytokine release syndrome, which resolved completely after symptomatic treatment. None experienced neurotoxicity or needed further intensive care. Conclusion CAR-T infusion is a potentially effective treatment for relapsed/refractory B-ALL patients with central nervous system involvement.

Objective: Malignancy-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (M-HLH) in children is a relatively rare but life-threatening secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH). Until now, onl...

Although chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy produces a high complete remission rate among patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, relapse remains an urgent issue. It is uncertain whether consolidative haploidentical-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) is suitable for achieving sustainable remission. Therefore, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of bridging CAR-T therapy to haplo-HSCT. Fifty-two patients with relapsed/refractory Philadelphia chromosome-negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who underwent haplo-HSCT after CAR-T therapy were analyzed. The median time from CAR-T therapy to haplo-HSCT was 61 days. After a median follow-up of 24.6 months, the 1-year probabilities of event-free survival, overall survival, and cumulative incidence of relapse were 80.1% (95% confidence interval (CI), 69.0-90.9), 92.3% (95% CI, 85.0-99.5), and 14.1% (95% CI, 10.7-17.4), respectively, while the corresponding 2-year probabilities were 76.0% (95% CI, 64.2-87.7), 84.3% (95% CI, 74.3-94.3), and 19.7% (95% CI, 15.3-24.0), respectively. No increased risk of 2-year cumulative incidence of graft-versus-host disease, treatment-related mortality, or infection was observed. A pre-HSCT measurable residual disease-positive status was an independent factor associated with poor overall survival (hazard radio: 4.201, 95% CI: 1.034-17.063; P = 0.045). Haplo-HSCT may be a safe and effective treatment strategy to improve event-free survival and overall survival after CAR-T therapy.

The prognosis of myeloid sarcoma (MS) is controversial. Many reports indicated that orbital-MS has a good prognosis and is closely related to t(8;21), but the prognostic role of MS in pediatric t(8;21) AML is unclear. We retrospectively analyzed data from 127 patients with pediatric t(8;21) AML diagnosed between January 2010 and June 2018. We compared patients with (

Background The role of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) for children with intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia (IR-AML) in first complete remission has been controversial. The present study compared the effect of chemotherapy with unmanipulated haplo-HSCT as treatment of patients with IR-AML in first complete remission (CR1). Patients and Methods We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 80 children with IR-AML and compared the effects of chemotherapy (n = 47) with those of haplo-HSCT (n = 33) as treatment in CR1. Results The 3-year overall survival, event-free survival (EFS), and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was 85.4% ± 4.1%, 73.2% ± 5.0%, and 25.4% ± 4.5%, respectively. Compared with the chemotherapy group, the patients in the haplo-HSCT group had a lower CIR (P = .059) and better EFS (P = .108), but roughly equivalent overall survival (P = .841). Multivariate analysis revealed chemotherapy and minimal residual disease (MRD) of ≥ 10−3 after induction therapy as independent risk factors affecting CIR and EFS. EFS (P = .045) and CIR (P = .045) differed significantly between the 2 treatment groups in patients with MRD of ≥ 10−3 after induction therapy. Conclusion Haplo-HSCT might be a feasible option for children with IR-AML in CR1, especially for patients with MRD of ≥ 10−3 after induction therapy.

Background: Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is a biologically heterogeneous subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that originates from megakaryocytes. Despite improvements in the accuracy of diagnosing AMKL as well as increased amount of data available on this rare subtype, clear prognostic factors and treatment recommendations remain undefined.Methods: We performed a retrospective study on 40 patients (age ≤18 years) with non–Down syndrome AMKL and assessed the effect of different prognostic factors on the outcomesResults: The complete remission (CR) rate of the patients was 57.9% and 81.1%, respectively, at the end of induction therapy Ⅰ and Ⅱ. The overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rate at 2 years was 41±13% and 41±10%, respectively. An analysis of the cytogenetic features showed that patients with +21 or hyperdiploid (＞50 chromosomes) had significantly better OS than those in other cytogenetic subgroups (Plog-rank=0.048 and Plog-rank=0.040, respectively). Besides cytogenetics, an excellent early treatment response (CR and minimal residual disease＜1% after induction therapy Ⅰ) also provided a significant survival benefit in univariate analysis in our study. However, multivariate analysis indicated that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was the only independent prognostic marker (RR=11.192; 95 % CI, 2.045-61.241; P=0.005 for OS and RR=5.400; 95 % CI, 1.635-17.832; P=0.006 for EFS, respectively). Conclusion: AMKL in patients with non-Down syndrome has a poor outcome and allo-HSCT may be a better option for post-remission therapy than conventional chemotherapy especially for those having a poor response to induction therapy.

Background: FAB-M4 and M5 are unique subgroups of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia. However, for these patients, few studies have demonstrated the clinical and biological characteristics and efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and especially haplo-HSCT. Procedure: We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of 70 children with FAB-M4/M5 enrolled in our center from January 2013 to December 2017. Results: Of the patients, 32, 23, and 15 were in low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively. T(16;16), inv16/CBFB-MYH11 was the most frequent cytogenetic abnormality. Among detected genetic alterations, WT1 was mutated at the highest frequency, followed by FLT3-ITD, NPM1, and CEBPA. Thirty-three patients received HSCT (haplo-HSCT = 30), of which four, 18, and 11 were in low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively. For all patients, the 3-year overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) were 85.3 ± 4.3%, 69.0 ± 5.7%, and 27.9 ± 5.2%, respectively. By multivariate analysis, low-risk stratification predicted superior OS, EFS, and PLT ≤ 50 × 109/L at diagnosis, with FLT3-ITD mutations predicting higher CIR and poorer EFS. In intermediate- and high-risk groups, HSCT was independently associated with higher EFS and lower CIR. With a median post-transplant observation time of 30.0 months, the 3-year OS, EFS, CIR, and non-relapse mortality in the haplo-HSCT group were 74.2 ± 8.6%, 68.3 ± 8.9, 24.6 ± 7.6%, and 6.6 ± 4.1%, respectively. Conclusions: Risk-oriented treatment is important for pediatric FAB-M4/M5. For intermediate- and high-risk groups, HSCT significantly improved survival and haplo-HSCT might be a viable alternative approach.

Objectives: To evaluate the value of Wilms’ tumor 1 mRNA (WT1) expression in the differential diagnosis of childhood myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and aplastic anemia (AA).Methods: This study comp...

Background Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21) (q22;q22) is classified as a low-risk group. However, relapse is still the main factor affecting survival. We aimed to investigate the effect of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) on reducing recurrence and improving the survival of high-risk pediatric t(8;21) AML based on minimal residual disease (MRD)-guided treatment, and to further explore the prognostic factors to guide risk stratification treatment and identify who will benefit from allo-HSCT. Methods Overall, 129 newly diagnosed pediatric t(8;21) AML patients were included in this study. Patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk group according to RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels after 2 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy. High-risk patients were divided into HSCT group and chemotherapy group according to their treatment choices. The characteristics and outcomes of 125 patients were analyzed. Results For high-risk patients, allo-HSCT could improve 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate compared to chemotherapy (87.4% vs. 61.9%; P = 0.026). Five-year overall survival (OS) rate in high-risk HSCT group had a trend for better than that in high-risk chemotherapy group (82.8% vs. 71.4%; P = 0.260). The 5-year RFS rate of patients with a c-KIT mutation in high-risk HSCT group had a trend for better than that of patients with a c-KIT mutation in high-risk chemotherapy group (82.9% vs. 75%; P = 0.400). Extramedullary infiltration (EI) at diagnosis was associated with a high cumulative incidence of relapse for high-risk patients (50% vs. 18.4%; P = 0.004); allo-HSCT can improve the RFS (P = 0.009). Conclusions allo-HSCT can improve the prognosis of high-risk pediatric t(8;21) AML based on MRD-guided treatment. Patients with a c-KIT mutation may benefit from allo-HSCT. EI is an independent prognostic factor for high-risk patients and allo-HSCT can improve the prognosis.

To investigate the effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on the statural growth in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).We retrospectively collected data from 344 children with ALL younger than 17 years old at diagnosis identified in pediatric department of Peking University People's Hospital. The children were divided into three groups: conventional chemotherapy group, imatinib group and dasatinib group. Height was expressed as standard deviation score(HtSDS). In the three groups, we compared the HtSDS and △HtSDS at the start of treatment and during follow-up period and also compared the adult height and median parental height(MPH). We further compared the HtSDS classified by age and gender in imatinib group. At last, univariate analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors on the deceleration of height growth by imatinib.There were 298 children in conventional chemotherapy group, 39 in imatinib group and 7 in dasatinib group. In imatinib group, the mean HtSDS of children at follow-up time was significantly lower than that at the start of treatment (P0.05), regardless of age and gender. In imatinib group, the decrease of HtSDS in girls was more obvious than in boys(P = 0.031). The HtSDS gradually decreased in the first and the second year in imatinib group. After discontinuation of imatinib, the HtSDS had no obvious change. Multivariate analysis showed that the HtSDS at the start of imatinib was negatively correlated with severe growth impairment on imatinib therapy. The HtSDS in dasatinib group and conventional chemotherapy group maintained a high degree of consistency.Imatinib can affect growth velocity in children with ALL, regardless of age and gender. With the discontinuation of imatinib, the inhibitory effect will not continue. The lower HtSDS at the start of imatinib therapy, the more obvious effect of imatinib on growth impairment will be, and the effect will be more obvious in girls than boys.

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with MLL-rearrangements (MLL-r) is rare in pediatric patients (aged1 year), and optimal treatment strategies remain unclear. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and effects of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) of 37 non-infant children with t(v;11q23)/MLL-r B-ALL. Their 4-year overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) were 69.8 %, 58.2 %, and 39.1 %, respectively, and differed significantly between patients receiving allo-HSCT (18/19 cases received haploidentical [haplo]-HSCT) at the first complete remission (HSCT at CR1, n = 19; 87.4 %, 89.5 % and 5.3 %) and those continuing consolidation therapy (Non-HSCT at CR1, n = 18; 52.2 %, 25.9 %, and 74.1 %, respectively), and the p values were 0.022,0.001 and0.001, respectively. Of the 13 patients experiencing relapse during consolidation chemotherapy, the five continuing with chemotherapy only died within 44 months, and the eight patients opting for allo-HSCT after CR2 had a 4-year OS of 57.1 %. Multivariate analysis revealed HSCT at CR1 as the only independent protective factor for OS, EFS, and CIR. The present results indicate that allo-HSCT (especially haplo-HSCT) at CR1 may decrease the relapse rate and improve the prognosis of non-infant children with t(v;11q23)/MLL-r B-ALL.

Background: B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with t(v;11q23)/MLL-rearrangement (MLL-r) in children (1 year or older) is rare, and its outcome and optimal treatment options remain controversial. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of these patients, and to explore the role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), especially haploidentical HSCT (haplo-HSCT) in the treatment of these patients. Methods: At the time of the last follow-up (July 1, 2019), we retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 42 non-infant children with t(v;11q23)/MLL-r B-ALL. Comparison of outcomes was made between patients received allo-HSCT in the first complete remission (CR1) and chemotherapy only. Results: The median follow-up was 41 (1-106) months. The median age at diagnosis was 4.5(1-14) years and the median leukocyte count was 56.0 (2.2-735.2)×109/L. One was excluded for death during induction. For the remaining 41 patients, the complete remission rate after induction therapy was 40/41 (97.6%), the estimated 4-year probabilities of overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) were 59.7%, 51.6% and 43.4%, respectively. 19 patients received allo-HSCT in CR1 (HSCT in CR1 cohort), notably, 18/19 cases in this cohort received haplo-HSCT, and the remaining 22 patients continued the consolidation therapy (Non-HSCT in CR1 cohort). The estimated 4-year probabilities of OS, EFS and CIR in the HSCT in CR1 cohort were 86.6%, 89.2% and 5.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, the estimated 4-year probabilities of OS, EFS and CIR in the Non-HSCT in CR1 cohort were 37.5%, 19.9% and 75.6%, respectively. They were considered to be statistically significant. Of the 17 patients who relapsed during consolidation chemotherapy, 9 patients who underwent chemotherapy only (Non-HSCT after relapse cohort) all died within 44 months. For the remaining 8 patients who chose allo-HSCT (HSCT in CR2 cohort) when they achieved the second complete remission (CR2), the estimated 4-year probability of OS was 47.6% (P=0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that HSCT in CR1 was the only independent protective factor for OS, EFS and CIR, and age at diagnosis (≥10 years) was an independent risk factor of OS. Conclusions: Allo-HSCT (especially haplo-HSCT) in CR1 may reduce the risk of relapse and improve prognosis in non-infant children with MLL-r B-ALL. In addition, allo-HSCT also seemed to be an effective approach to improve the prognosis of relapsed patients. Thus, haplo-HSCT could be an alternative approach for non-infant children with MLL-r B-ALL. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Based on digital photogrammetric measurements, the antenna panels of the Delingha 13.7m radio telescope are adjusted to make the main dish have an optimal paraboloidal surface at the elevation of 52∘, thus the overall antenna efficiency is optimized for different observing elevations. Observations indicate that the aperture efficiency of the telescope has been improved approximately twice in comparison with the antenna panels adjusted on the basis of theodolite measurements. According to the results of the measurements at different elevations, the models of antenna gravity deformation are built, including the displacement and tilt angle of the subreflector, as well as the focal length and surface error of the main reflector, as functions of elevation angle. In the process of modeling the gravity deformation of the main dish, instead of the direct calculation method, the least square fitting on the measured surface errors at different elevation angles is adopted, in order to reduce the effect of measurement errors on the accuracy of the model.

To study the relationship between loss of sex chromosomes and prognosis in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) M2 subtype.According to cytogenetic characteristics, 106 children with AML were divided into three groups: patients with normal karyotype (Group A, n=26), patients with abnormal karyotype who had no loss of sex chromosomes (Group B, n=52), and patients with abnormal karyotype who had loss of sex chromosomes (Group C, n=28). Prognosis was compared between the three groups.The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rates of Groups A, B, and C were (38.9±11.2)%, (59.3±7.3)%, and (66.5±10.5)%, respectively; the EFS of Group C was significantly higher than that of Group A (P=0.035). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of Groups A, B, and C were (54.3±13.5)%, (68.1±7.7)%, and (77.9±9.8)%, respectively (P0.05). The 5-year EFS of 58 patients with t(8;21) was (63.3±7.3)%, significantly higher than that of patients with normal karyotype (P=0.015). All the 28 cases in Group C had t(8;21), and their 5-year EFS was not significantly different from that of patients with t(8;21) in Group B (P0.05).Loss of sex chromosomes is a favorable karyotype in children with AML M2 subtype and the patients in this group mostly have t(8;21). Why loss of sex chromosomes indicates a favorable prognosis is probably because it is accompanied by t(8;21) in the patients.

To explore the efficacy and adverse effects of clofarabine for relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.Twenty-six pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated with clofarabine. There were 22 males and 4 females, with a mean age of 9.5 years (ranging from 4 to 17 years). They received clofarabine 52 mg/m2 intravenously over 2 hours daily for 5 days. Thirteen patients received two cycles and one patient received three cycles.In the first cycle of clofarabine, complete remission was obtained in 11 children (42%) and partial remission was obtained in 7 children (27%). Eight children (31%) were considered unresponsive. In the second cycle, 11 (85%) of the 13 children obtained complete remission, 1 (8%) partial remission and 1 (8%) was unresponsive. One child received three cycles and obtained complete remission in each cycle. The common adverse events were myelosuppression, infection, liver dysfunction and gastrointestinal adverse reactions. There were no chemotherapy-related deaths.Clofarabine is effective in the treatment of children with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its adverse effects can be tolerated. Clofarabine could be a promising new treatment for relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

To investigate whether there were differences in the clinical characteristics, cytogenetic characteristics, immunophenotype and prognosis in children with B cell type acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) carrying different fusion genes.The research included 80 children with B-ALL from Peking University People's Hospital between March 2006 and December 2008. Eighteen children were positive for TEL/AML1, 14 for E2A/PBX1, 11 for BCR/ABL,and 2 cases for MLL/AF4, and 35 cases were negative for all of the 4 fusion genes. Data including clinical characteristics, morphology, immunophenotype and cytogenetic characteristics were collected, and the disease-free survival (DFS) was evaluated. The children were followed up until April 2009.In the 18 children with TEL/AML1+B-ALL, 66.7% were younger than 5 years old. They had low tumor load. FAB-L2 morphology was commonly observed, but t(12;21) was often absence in these children. Up to now,17 children who survived were disease-free. In the 14 children with E2A/PBX1+B-ALL, the majority were female. Thirteen children showed FAB-L1 morphology. Twelve children showed pre-B-ALL immunophenotype. The EFS was close to 80%. In the 11 children with BCR/ABL+B-ALL, 10 children showed common B type immunophenotype. FAB-L1 and FAB-L2 morphology was found in 4 children respectively. The DFS was less than 20%. Two children with MLL/AF4 positive B-ALL had high tumor load. Their morphologic diagnosis was FAB-L1. Both showed the Pro-B-ALL immunophenotype. One child discontinued treatment at the early stage of chemotherapy, and the other child survived disease-free until now.The B-ALL children with different fusion genes have different clinical characteristics, immunophenotypes and prognosis.

Efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of clofarabine in Chinese pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a phase II, multi-center study