| 1. |
- Djos, Anna, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in a Cohort of High-Risk Neuroblastoma Tumors and Its Relation to Genomic Variants in the TERT and ATRX Genes
- 2023
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Ingår i: CANCERS. - 2072-6694. ; 15:24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tumor cells are hallmarked by their capacity to undergo unlimited cell divisions, commonly accomplished either by mechanisms that activate TERT or through the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway. Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous pediatric cancer, and the aim of this study was to characterize telomere maintenance mechanisms in a high-risk neuroblastoma cohort. All tumor samples were profiled with SNP microarrays and, when material was available, subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS). Telomere length was estimated from WGS data, samples were assayed for the ALT biomarker c-circles, and selected samples were subjected to methylation array analysis. Samples with ATRX aberration in this study were positive for c-circles, whereas samples with either MYCN amplification or TERT re-arrangement were negative for c-circles. Both ATRX aberrations and TERT re-arrangement were enriched in 11q-deleted samples. An association between older age at diagnosis and 1q-deletion was found in the ALT-positive group. TERT was frequently placed in juxtaposition to a previously established gene in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis or cancer in general. Given the importance of high-risk neuroblastoma, means for mitigating active telomere maintenance must be therapeutically explored.
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| 2. |
- Kersting, J., et al.
(författare)
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Effect of Radiotherapy Dose on Outcome in Nonmetastatic Sarcoma
- 2023
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Ingår i: Advances in Radiation Oncology. ; 8:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Radiation therapy (RT) is an integral part of Ewing sarcoma (EwS) therapy. The Ewing 2008 protocol recommended RT doses ranging from 45 to 54 Gy. However, some patients received other doses of RT. We analyzed the effect of different RT doses on event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with EwS.Methods and Materials: The Ewing 2008 database included 528 RT-admitted patients with nonmetastatic EwS. Recommended multimodal therapy consisted of multiagent chemotherapy and local treatment consisting of surgery (S & RT group) and/or RT (RT group). EFS and OS were analyzed with uni-and multivariable Cox regression models including known prognostic factors such as age, sex, tumor volume, surgical margins, and histologic response.Results: S & RT was performed in 332 patients (62.9%), and 145 patients (27.5%) received definitive RT. Standard dose =53 Gy (d1) was admitted in 57.8%, high dose of 54 to 58 Gy (d2) in 35.5%, and very high dose > 59 Gy (d3) in 6.6% of patients. In the RT group, RT dose was d1 in 11.7%, d2 in 44.1%, and d3 in 44.1% of patients. Three-year EFS in the S & RT group was 76.6% for d1, 73.7% for d2, and 68.2% for d3 (P = .42) and in the RT group 52.9%, 62.5%, and 70.3% (P = .63), respectively. Multivariable Cox regression revealed age > 15 years (hazard ratio [HR], 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63-4.38) and nonradical margins (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.05-2.93) for the S & RT group (sex, P = .96; histologic response, P = .07; tumor volume, P = .50; dose, P = .10) and large tumor volume (HR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.21-4.0) for the RT group as independent factors (dose, P = .15; age, P = .08; sex, P = .40).Conclusions: In the combined local therapy modality group, treatment with higher RT dose had an effect on EFS, whereas higher dose of radiation when treated with definitive RT was associated with an increased OS. Indications for selection biases for dosage were found. Upcoming trials will assess the value of different RT doses in a randomized manner to control for potential selection bias.
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| 3. |
- Källström, Jonatan, 1976, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of allopurinol on 6-mercaptopurine metabolism in unselected patients with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a prospective phase II study.
- 2024
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Ingår i: Haematologica. - 1592-8721.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Allopurinol can be used in maintenance therapy (MT) for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to mitigate hepatic toxicity in patients with skewed 6- mercaptopurine metabolism. Allopurinol increases the erythrocyte levels of thioguanine nucleotides (e-TGN), which is the proposed main mediator of the antileukemic effect and decreases methyl mercaptopurine (e-MeMP) levels, associated with hepatotoxicity. We investigated the effects of allopurinol in thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) wild-type patients without previous clinical signs of skewed 6MP metabolism. Fifty-one patients from Sweden and Finland were enrolled in this prospective beforeafter trial during ALL MT. Mean e-TGN increased from 280 nmol/mmol Hb after 12 weeks of standard MT to 440 after 12 weeks of MT with addition of allopurinol 50 mg/m2 (p.
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| 4. |
- Ludvigsson, Johnny, 1943-, et al.
(författare)
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Combined vitamin D, ibuprofen and glutamic acid decarboxylase-alum treatment in recent onset Type I diabetes: lessons from the DIABGAD randomized pilot trial.
- 2020
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Ingår i: Future science OA. - London, United Kingdom : Future Science Ltd. - 2056-5623. ; 6:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Double-blind placebo-controlled intervention using glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-alum, vitamin D and Ibuprofen in recent onset Type I diabetes (T1D).64 patients (T1D since <4months, age 10-17.99, fasting sC-peptide ≥0.12nmol/l, GADA-positive) were randomized intoDay(D) 1-90 400mg/day Ibuprofen, D1-450 vitamin D 2000IU/day, D15, 45 sc. 20μg GAD-alum; as A but placebo instead of Ibuprofen; as B but 40μg GAD-alum D15, 45; placebo.Treatment was safe and tolerable. No C-peptide preservation was observed. We observed a linear correlation of baseline C-peptide, HbA1c and insulin/per kilogram/24h with change in C-peptide AUC at 15months (r=-0.776, p<0.0001).Ibuprofen, vitamin D + GAD-alum did not preserve C-peptide. Treatment efficacy was influenced by baseline clinical and immunological factors and vitamin D concentration. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT01785108 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
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| 5. |
- Rechl, Victor, et al.
(författare)
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Factors Influencing the Outcome of Patients with Primary Ewing Sarcoma of the Sacrum.
- 2024
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Ingår i: Sarcoma. - 1357-714X. ; 2024
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a rare and highly malignant bone tumor primarily affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. The pelvis, trunk, and lower extremities are the most common sites, while EwS of the sacrum as a primary site is very rare, and only few studies focusing on this location are published. Due to the anatomical condition, local treatment is challenging in sacral malignancies. We analyzed factors that might influence the outcome of patients suffering from sacral EwS.We retrospectively analyzed data of the GPOH EURO-E.W.I.N.G 99 trial and the EWING 2008 trial, with a cohort of 124 patients with localized or metastatic sacral EwS. The study endpoints were overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). OS and EFS were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate comparisons were estimated using the log-rank test. Hazard ratios (HRs) with respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated in a multivariable Cox regression model.The presence of metastases (3y-EFS: 0.33 vs. 0.68; P < 0.001; HR=3.4, 95% CI 1.7 to 6.6; 3y-OS: 0.48 vs. 0.85; P < 0.001; HR=4.23, 95% CI 1.8 to 9.7), large tumor volume (≥200ml) (3y-EFS: 0.36 vs. 0.69; P=0.02; HR=2.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.0; 3y-OS: 0.42 vs. 0.73; P=0.04; HR=2.1, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.5), and age ≥18years (3y-EFS: 0.41 vs. 0.60; P=0.02; HR=2.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.2; 3y-OS: 0.294 vs. 0.59; P=0.01; HR=2.92, 95% CI 1.29 to 6.6) were revealed as adverse prognostic factors.Young age seems to positively influence patients` survival, especially in patients with primary metastatic disease. In this context, our results support other studies, stating that older age has a negative impact on survival. Tumor volume, metastases, and the type of local therapy modality have an impact on the outcome of sacral EwS. Level of evidence: Level 2. This trial is registered with NCT00020566 and NCT00987636.
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| 6. |
- Rubio-San-Simón, Alba, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of COVID-19 in paediatric early-phase cancer clinical trials in Europe: A report from the Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC) consortium.
- 2020
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Ingår i: European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990). - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-0852 .- 0959-8049. ; 141, s. 82-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Data regarding real-world impact on cancer clinical research during COVID-19 are scarce. We analysed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conduct of paediatric cancer phase I-II trials in Europe through the experience of the Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC).A survey was sent to all ITCC-accredited early-phase clinical trial hospitals including questions about impact on staff activities, recruitment, patient care, supply of investigational products and legal aspects, between 1st March and 30th April 2020.Thirty-one of 53 hospitals from 12 countries participated. Challenges reported included staff constraints (30% drop), reduction in planned monitoring activity (67% drop of site initiation visits and 64% of monitoring visits) and patient recruitment (61% drop compared with that in 2019). The percentage of phase I, phase II trials and molecular platforms closing to recruitment in at least one site was 48.5%, 61.3% and 64.3%, respectively. In addition, 26% of sites had restrictions on performing trial assessments because of local contingency plans. Almost half of the units suffered impact upon pending contracts. Most hospitals (65%) are planning on improving organisational and structural changes.The study reveals a profound disruption of paediatric cancer early-phase clinical research due to the COVID-19 pandemic across Europe. Reported difficulties affected both patient care and monitoring activity. Efforts should be made to reallocate resources to avoid lost opportunities for patients and to allow the continued advancement of oncology research. Identified adaptations to clinical trial procedures may be integrated to increase preparedness of clinical research to futures crises.
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| 7. |
- Sandeberg, M. A., et al.
(författare)
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Nurses' Perceptions of the Impact of a National Educational Program in Pediatric Oncology Nursing: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Nursing. - : Sage Publications. - 2752-7530 .- 2752-7549. ; 40:3, s. 178-87
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Specific knowledge is required in pediatric oncology, and specialization of nurses has been identified as a priority. In Sweden, a national program in pediatric oncology nursing has been offered since 2003. The aim of this study was to gain knowledge of nurses' perceptions of the impact of this educational program. Methods: Eighty nurses who had completed the educational program in three cohorts (2012-2019) were invited to participate in this cross-sectional survey. An electronic study-specific questionnaire containing multiple-choice questions was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation tests. Results: Fifty-nine (74%) nurses completed the survey, of whom 98% responded that they would recommend the program to a large/fairly large extent. At the time of the survey, 15 (25%) participants had left pediatric oncology care. Among the remaining 44, 31 (71%) of the nurses were working bedside, and 13 (42%) of these combined this with a special position (e.g., consultant nurse). The education resulted in career advancement, as the number of nurses with special positions increased following completion of the program, from 20% to 59%. The vast majority stated that the knowledge gained from the education contributed to increased confidence in interactions with the children/families. Discussion: Continuing education of nurses in pediatric oncology has an impact on career opportunities in clinical practice and contributes to nurses' confidence and professional work. However, education is not enough to retain competent nurses. Employers need to be aware of the role of the work environment, aspects of work-life balance and career paths.
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| 8. |
- Wadensten, Elisabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Diagnostic Yield From a Nationwide Implementation of Precision Medicine for all Children With Cancer.
- 2023
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Ingår i: JCO precision oncology. - : American Society of Clinical Oncology. - 2473-4284. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several studies have indicated that broad genomic characterization of childhood cancer provides diagnostically and/or therapeutically relevant information in selected high-risk cases. However, the extent to which such characterization offers clinically actionable data in a prospective broadly inclusive setting remains largely unexplored.We implemented prospective whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of tumor and germline, complemented by whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) for all children diagnosed with a primary or relapsed solid malignancy in Sweden. Multidisciplinary molecular tumor boards were set up to integrate genomic data in the clinical decision process along with a medicolegal framework enabling secondary use of sequencing data for research purposes.During the study's first 14 months, 118 solid tumors from 117 patients were subjected to WGS, with complementary RNA-Seq for fusion gene detection in 52 tumors. There was no significant geographic bias in patient enrollment, and the included tumor types reflected the annual national incidence of pediatric solid tumor types. Of the 112 tumors with somatic mutations, 106 (95%) exhibited alterations with a clear clinical correlation. In 46 of 118 tumors (39%), sequencing only corroborated histopathological diagnoses, while in 59 cases (50%), it contributed to additional subclassification or detection of prognostic markers. Potential treatment targets were found in 31 patients (26%), most commonly ALK mutations/fusions (n = 4), RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway mutations (n = 14), FGFR1 mutations/fusions (n = 5), IDH1 mutations (n = 2), and NTRK2 gene fusions (n = 2). In one patient, the tumor diagnosis was revised based on sequencing. Clinically relevant germline variants were detected in 8 of 94 patients (8.5%).Up-front, large-scale genomic characterization of pediatric solid malignancies provides diagnostically valuable data in the majority of patients also in a largely unselected cohort.
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| 9. |
- Wallin, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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Implementing data on targeted therapy from the INFORM registry platform for children with relapsed cancer in Sweden
- 2024
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Ingår i: FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY. - : FRONTIERS MEDIA SA. - 2234-943X. ; 14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Advances in treatment of childhood malignancies have improved overall cure rates to 80%. Nevertheless, cancer is still the most common cause of childhood mortality in Sweden. The prognosis is particularly poor for relapse of high-risk malignancies. In the international INFORM registry, tumor tissue from patients with relapsed, refractory, or progressive pediatric cancer as well as from very-high risk primary tumors is biologically characterized using next-generation sequencing to identify possible therapeutic targets. We analyzed data from Swedish children included in the INFORM registry concerning patient characteristics, survival, sequencing results and whether targeted treatment was administered to the children based on the molecular findings.Methods A registry-based descriptive analysis of 184 patients included in the INFORM registry in Sweden during 2016-2021.Results The most common diagnoses were soft tissue and bone sarcomas followed by high grade gliomas [including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)]. Complete molecular analysis was successful for 203/212 samples originating from 184 patients. In 88% of the samples, at least one actionable target was identified. Highly prioritized targets, according to a preset scale, were identified in 48 (24%) samples from 40 patients and 24 of these patients received matched targeted treatment but only six children within a clinical trial. No statistically significant benefit in terms of overall survival or progression free survival was observed between children treated with matched targeted treatment compared to all others.Conclusion This international collaborative study demonstrate feasibility regarding sequencing of pediatric high-risk tumors providing molecular data regarding potential actionable targets to clinicians. For a few individuals the INFORM analysis was of utmost importance and should be regarded as a new standard of care with the potential to guide targeted therapy.
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