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This page shows you the latest news and research items in this category.

Hemophagocytosis by Leukemic Blasts in B Lymphoblastic Leukemia with t(12;21)(p13;q22); TEL-AML1 (ETV6-RUNX1): a Case Report.
We report a pediatric case of B lymphoblastic leukemia (BLL) with t(12;21)(p13;q22); TEL-AML1 (ETV6-RUNX1) showing erythrophagocytosis and thrombophagocytosis by leukemic blasts. About 4% of the leukemic blasts in marrow aspirate smears showed phagocytosis of erythrocytes, platelets, or nuclear remnants in a 3-year-old Korean boy with a diagnosis of BLL. Conventional cytogenetics and molecular analysis revealed the presence of t(12;21)(p13;q22); TEL-AML1 (ETV6-RUNX1). The patient responded well to chemotherapy and is in a state of complete remission. PMID: 23694795 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science)
Source: Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science - May 23, 2013 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Park JE, Park IJ, Lim YA, Lee WG, Cho SR Tags: Ann Clin Lab Sci Source Type: research

Acute myelofibrosis and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in an elderly patient with previously treated multiple myeloma.
Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell neoplasm involving the bone marrow with organ damage and/or a monoclonal protein (M-spike in the serum and/or urine). This neoplasm typically affects adults over the age of 50. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a hematological disorder involving at least 20% lymphoblasts in the bone marrow of the B-cell lineage. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia most commonly affects young children with 75% of cases occurring in children less than 6 years old. This case report describes a patient diagnosed with MM in 2000 who achieved a complete remission in 2006 after chemotherapy. Fo...
Source: Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science - May 23, 2013 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Gonzalez MM, Kidd L, Quesada J, Nguyen N, Chen L Tags: Ann Clin Lab Sci Source Type: research

Pharmacogenomic approaches for tailored anti-leukemic therapy in children.
Abstract Several lympholytic and cytotoxic agents are used in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) polychemotherapy. Genetic variants for cellular components involved in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these drugs can influence the pharmacological response, and molecular characterization of these genetic variants could be helpful for the comprehension of the mechanisms of resistance or increased sensitivity. The purpose of this review is to carry out an update of recent publications on genes that might influence ALL treatment in terms of outcome and/or toxicity and to underlie the role of genetic variant...
Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry - May 22, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Stocco G, Franca R, Verzegnassi F, Londero M, Rabusin M, Decorti G Tags: Curr Med Chem Source Type: research

Antineoplastic activities, apoptotic mechanism of action and structural properties of a novel silver(i) chelate.
Abstract In a previous work, the author has investigated the antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of tartaric and glutamic acids silver(I) chelates. In a following work, the author has reported on the in vitro cytotoxicity and the mechanism of action of a silver(I) tartaric acid chelate synthesized by the author given the title name Aliargentumycine (AAgM) on hematopoietic malignancies. The in vitro antineoplastic activities of AAgM on solid human breast ductal carcinoma (T- 47D) and disseminated T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Jurkat) cell lines, its mechanism of action and its structural properties were in...
Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry - May 22, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Batarseh KI Tags: Curr Med Chem Source Type: research

Impact of a donor source on adult Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a retrospective analysis from the Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Working Group of the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Conclusion Allo-SCT using CB led to OS similar to those of RD or URD in any disease status. To avoid missing the appropriate timing, CB is a favorable alternative source for adult Ph(–) ALL patients without a suitable RD or URD. (Source: Annals of Oncology)
Source: Annals of Oncology - May 21, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Nishiwaki, S., Miyamura, K., Ohashi, K., Kurokawa, M., Taniguchi, S., Fukuda, T., Ikegame, K., Takahashi, S., Mori, T., Imai, K., Iida, H., Hidaka, M., Sakamaki, H., Morishima, Y., Kato, K., Suzuki, R., Tanaka, J., for the Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukem Tags: hematologic malignancies Source Type: research

Recombinant Erwinia carotovora l-asparaginase II production in Escherichia coli fed-batch cultures
Asparaginases are the cornerstone therapy of many successful combination regimens for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common malignancy in children and adolescents. The aim of this work was to produce recombinant Erwinia carotovora L-asparaginase II in Escherichia coli fed-batch cultures. Using a robust fed-batch technique with pre-determined exponential feeding rates, our bioreactor culture system yielded 30.7 grams of dry cell weight and 0.9 grams of soluble rErAII protein per liter of culture broth. The homogeneous rErAII activity was determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Th...
Source: Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering - May 16, 2013 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research

Does vaccine dose predict response to the monovalent pandemic H1N1 influenza a vaccine in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia? A single‐centre study
ConclusionsThese data suggest that the immunogenicity of the pH1N1 vaccine among children with ALL is improved by repeated and adult doses of the vaccine. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;9999:XX–XX. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Pediatric Blood and Cancer)
Source: Pediatric Blood and Cancer - May 16, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: T. Ronan Leahy, Owen P. Smith, Christopher L. Bacon, Lorna Storey, Paul Lynam, Patrick J. Gavin, Karina M. Butler, Aengus S. O'Marcaigh Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Longer follow‐up confirms major improvement in outcome in children and adolescents with Philadelphia chromosome acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated with continuous imatinib and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Results from the Spanish Cooperative Study SHOP/ALL‐2005
(Source: British Journal of Haematology)
Source: British Journal of Haematology - May 14, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Susana Rives, Mireia Camós, Jesús Estella, Pedro Gómez, Mª José Moreno, José Luis Vivanco, Montserrat Melo, Rafael Fernández‐Delgado, Amparo Verdeguer, Ana Fernández‐Teijeiro, Francisco Lendínez, Ricardo López‐Almaraz, José Javier Uriz, I Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research

Novel Susceptibility Variants at 10p12.31-12.2 for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Ethnically Diverse Populations
Conclusions These findings indicate strong associations between inherited genetic variation and ALL susceptibility in children and shed new light on ALL molecular etiology in diverse ancestry. (Source: JNCI)
Source: JNCI - May 14, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Xu, H., Yang, W., Perez-Andreu, V., Devidas, M., Fan, Y., Cheng, C., Pei, D., Scheet, P., Burchard, E. G., Eng, C., Huntsman, S., Torgerson, D. G., Dean, M., Winick, N. J., Martin, P. L., Camitta, B. M., Bowman, W. P., Willman, C. L., Carroll, W. L., Mull Tags: Article Source Type: research

Myocardial 2D strain echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers in children during and shortly after anthracycline therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL): a prospective study
Conclusion Children with newly diagnosed ALL showed decline of systolic and diastolic function during treatment with anthracyclines using cardiac biomarkers and myocardial 2D strain echocardiography. N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels were not related to echocardiographic strain parameters and cTnT was not a predictor for abnormal strain at T = 2.Therefore, the combination of cardiac biomarkers and myocardial 2D strain echocardiography is important in the assessment of cardiac function of children with ALL treated with anthracyclines. (Source: European Journal of Echocardiography)
Source: European Journal of Echocardiography - May 13, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Mavinkurve-Groothuis, A. M. C., Marcus, K. A., Pourier, M., Loonen, J., Feuth, T., Hoogerbrugge, P. M., de Korte, C. L., Kapusta, L. Tags: CLINICAL/ORIGINAL PAPERS Source Type: research

Adipocytes Cause Leukemia L-Asparaginase Resistance
Obesity is a significant risk factor for cancer. A link between obesity and a childhood cancer has been identified: obese children diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) had a 50% greater risk of relapse than their lean counterparts. l-asparaginase (ASNase) is a first-line therapy for ALL that breaks down asparagine and glutamine, exploiting the fact that ALL cells are more dependent on these amino acids than other cells. In the present study, we investigated whether adipocytes, which produce significant quantities of glutamine, may counteract the effects of ASNase. In children being treated for high-r...
Source: Cancer Research - May 12, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Ehsanipour, E. A., Sheng, X., Behan, J. W., Wang, X., Butturini, A., Avramis, V. I., Mittelman, S. D. Tags: Microenvironment and Immunology Source Type: research

The evaluation of protein Z levels of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia during induction therapy
The objective of this study was to evaluate the protein Z levels of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) during induction therapy. Although several studies investigated the association between steroid and L-asparaginase (L-ASP) administration and levels of coagulation proteins such as protein C, protein S and antithrombin in children with ALL, protein Z levels have not been examined in any study yet. Peripheral blood was drawn from the study group before chemotherapy (PZ0) at diagnosis, at 12th day (PZ1), 15th day (PZ2), 18th day (PZ3) and 21st day (PZ4) of treatment wherein L-ASP treatment is given along with...
Source: Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis - May 10, 2013 Category: Hematology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Understanding the Needs of Younger Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
CCO Slideset - In this downloadable slideset, Lauri A. Linder, PhD, APRN, CPON, provides a case-based overview of current nursing considerations in the management of adolescent and young adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Leukemia)
Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Leukemia - May 2, 2013 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Primary treatment of leukemia relapses after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with reduced‐intensity conditioning second transplantation from the original donor
Acute leukemia relapsing after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has dismal outcome. Consecutive consenting patients (acute myeloid leukemia: N = 71; acute lymphoblastic leukemia: N = 37), at a median age of 37 (16–57) years, who had relapsed 7.9 (1.3–132) months post‐HSCT, were treated with three cytarabine‐based intensive regimens as reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC), followed by infusion of mobilized HSC from the original donors. There were four treatment‐related mortalities (TRMs). Of 104 evaluable cases, 72 patients (67%) achieved complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplet...
Source: American Journal of Hematology - May 2, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Anskar Y.H. Leung, Eric Tse, Yu‐Yan Hwang, Thomas S.Y. Chan, Harinder Gill, Chor‐Sang Chim, Albert K.W. Lie, Yok‐Lam Kwong Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Haemophilus influenzae Type b in an Immunocompetent, Fully Vaccinated ALL Survivor
A 7-year-old boy with a history of recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in remission, presented to primary care clinic after 2 days of progressive right hip pain with weight-bearing activities. He was otherwise asymptomatic at the time of presentation. Blood cultures revealed Gram-negative diplococci, which prompted an MRI that was significant for a hip joint effusion and femoral head bone marrow edema. The patient had no sick contacts and no significant past medical history other than ALL. The patient had been given all recommended childhood vaccinations. Arthrocentesis and needle biopsy of the femoral neck were ...
Source: PEDIATRICS - May 1, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Nevin, J., Kanter Washko, J., Arnold, J. Tags: Case Report Source Type: research

Receipt of maintenance therapy is most predictive of survival in older acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients treated with intensive induction chemotherapy regimens
Abstract While the prognosis for older adults diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is generally poor, long‐term survival can be achieved in patients treated with curative intent. We reviewed the outcomes of 37 patients age ≥60 treated at our institution with either DVP‐ or hyperCVAD‐based chemotherapy regimens from 2003‐2011. In this patient population, a complete response rate of 92%, relapse rate of 56% and median overall survival of 18.1 months was experienced. Univariate analysis revealed that receipt of maintenance therapy vs. no maintenance therapy was associated with a statistically‐signific...
Source: American Journal of Hematology - May 1, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Daniel Landsburg Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Acute leukaemia
Abstract: The acute leukaemias consist of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). ALL occurs predominantly in children whereas AML occurs mainly in the elderly. These may present as medical emergencies such as neutropenic sepsis, hyperleucocytosis and coagulopathy. Whilst 80% of children with ALL are cured, the outcomes for most AML patients remain poor and treatment strategies to improve this are needed. In both ALL and AML recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities have prognostic significance. A normal karyotype is intermediate risk in AML and ALL but is made up of a heterogeneous group with vari...
Source: Medicine - May 1, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Kavita Raj Tags: Leukaemias Source Type: research

Rapamycin Sensitizes Glucocorticoid Resistant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia CEM-C1 Cells to Dexamethasone Induced Apoptosis through both mTOR Suppression and Up-Regulation and Activation of Glucocorticoid Receptor.
CONCLUSION: After the treatment with rapamycin plus Dex, Dex resistant CEM-C1 cells induce growth inhibition and apoptosis. The underlying mechanism may involve inhibition of the mTOR signaling pathway and also be associated with up-regulation of GR expression and activation of GC-GR signaling pathway. PMID: 23611130 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences : BES)
Source: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences : BES - May 1, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Guo X, Zhou CY, Li Q, Gao J, Zhu YP, Gu L, Ma ZG Tags: Biomed Environ Sci Source Type: research

[News] New immune therapy shows success against B-cell ALL
A pioneering therapy in which immune cells are genetically modified to recognise and destroy tumours has, for the first time, produced rapid remission in adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) who are unresponsive to chemotherapy. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)
Source: The Lancet Oncology - April 30, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Rachael Davies Tags: News Source Type: research

[Review] Relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
With steadily improved cure rates for children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), treating relapsed ALL has become increasingly challenging largely due to resistance to salvage therapy. Improved biological understanding of mechanisms of relapse and drug resistance, the identification of actionable molecular targets by studying leukaemic cell and host genetics, precise risk stratification with minimum residual disease measurement, and the development of new therapeutic drugs and approaches are needed to improve outcomes of relapsed patients. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)
Source: The Lancet Oncology - April 30, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Deepa Bhojwani, Ching-Hon Pui Tags: Review Source Type: research

CD22 monoclonal antibody therapies in relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Inotuzumab ozogamicin achieves high response and molecular remission rates in patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia with tolerable toxicity. It warrants further studies of inotuzumab in combination with chemotherapy or other targeted therapy. (Source: Cancer)
Source: Cancer - April 30, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Dieter Hoelzer Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Randomized comparison of prophylactic and minimal residual disease-triggered imatinib after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for BCR–ABL1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Randomized comparison of prophylactic and minimal residual disease-triggered imatinib after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for BCR–ABL1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia Leukemia advance online publication, April 30 2013. doi:10.1038/leu.2012.352 Authors: H Pfeifer, B Wassmann, W Bethge, J Dengler, M Bornhäuser, M Stadler, D Beelen, V Vucinic, T Burmeister, M Stelljes, C Faul, P Dreger, A Kiani, K Schäfer-Eckart, R Schwerdtfeger, E Lange, B Kubuschok, H A Horst, M Gramatzki, P Brück, H Serve, D Hoelzer, N Gökbuget & O G Ottmann (Source: Leukemia)
Source: Leukemia - April 30, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: H PfeiferB WassmannW BethgeJ DenglerM BornhäuserM StadlerD BeelenV VucinicT BurmeisterM StelljesC FaulP DregerA KianiK Schäfer-EckartR SchwerdtfegerE LangeB KubuschokH A HorstM GramatzkiP BrückH ServeD HoelzerN GökbugetO G Ottmann Tags: minimal residual disease tyrosine kinase inhibitor Philadelphia chromosome BCR–ABL1 Source Type: research

Natural history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia [Medical Sciences]
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the major pediatric cancer. At diagnosis, the developmental timing of mutations contributing critically to clonal diversification and selection can be buried in the leukemia's covert natural history. Concordance of ALL in monozygotic, monochorionic twins is a consequence of intraplacental spread of an initiated preleukemic clone.... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - April 30, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Ma, Y., Dobbins, S. E., Sherborne, A. L., Chubb, D., Galbiati, M., Cazzaniga, G., Micalizzi, C., Tearle, R., Lloyd, A. L., Hain, R., Greaves, M., Houlston, R. S. Tags: Biological Sciences Source Type: research

In Vitro Drug-Gene Modeling for T-ALL Outcome
This study advances our understanding of drug resistance in T-ALL and provides new markers for patient stratification. The results suggest potential benefit from the earlier use of 6-mercaptopurine in T-ALL therapy or the development of adjuvants that may sensitize blasts to this drug. The methodology developed in this study could be applied to other cancers to achieve patient stratification at the time of diagnosis. Cancer Res; 73(9); 2749–59. ©2013 AACR. (Source: Cancer Research)
Source: Cancer Research - April 30, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Beesley, A. H., Firth, M. J., Anderson, D., Samuels, A. L., Ford, J., Kees, U. R. Tags: Clinical Studies Source Type: research

Adenovirus pneumonia during induction therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
(Source: Pediatric Blood and Cancer)
Source: Pediatric Blood and Cancer - April 29, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Désirée Caselli, Annalisa Tondo, Fabio Tucci, Tommaso Casini, Olivia Paolicchi, Sara Savelli, Maurizio Aricò Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research

MorphoSys doses first patient in Phase II trial of MOR208 leukemia drug
MorphoSys has announced dosing of the first patient in its Phase II trial of MOR208 in patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). (Source: Drug Development Technology)
Source: Drug Development Technology - April 28, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news

Comparable long‐term outcomes after reduced‐intensity conditioning versus myeloablative conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation for adult high‐risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in complete remission
Abstract The role of reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains unclear because of the small sample size, short follow‐up duration, various regimens for conditioning and graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis, and the heterogeneity of selection criteria for transplantation. We compared long‐term outcomes of 60 consecutive RIC transplants (fludarabine plus melphalan) with 120 myeloablative conditioning (MAC) transplants (total body irradiation plus cyclophosphamide) for adult high‐risk ALL in first or second complete remission. All transplants received a uniform strat...
Source: American Journal of Hematology - April 26, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Ki‐Seong Eom, Seung‐Hwan Shin, Jae‐Ho Yoon, Seung‐Ah Yahng, Sung‐Eun Lee, Byung‐Sik Cho, Yoo‐Jin Kim, Hee‐Je Kim, Chang‐Ki Min, Dong‐Wook Kim, Jong‐Wook Lee, Woo‐Sung Min, Chong‐Won Park, Seok Lee Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Modified Diphthamide Due to WDR85 Deletion [Protein Synthesis and Degradation]
HA22 is a recombinant immunotoxin that kills CD22-expressing cells by ADP-ribosylating and inactivating elongation factor-2 (EF2). HA22 is composed of an Fv that binds to CD22 fused to a portion of Pseudomonas exotoxin A. HA22 is very active in drug-resistant hairy cell leukemia but is less active in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. To understand why some patients do not respond to HA22, we isolated an HA22-resistant lymphoma cell line and showed that resistance was due to the inability of HA22 to ADP-ribosylate and inactivate EF2. We analyzed the diphthamide synthesis genes and found that the WDR85 gene was del...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - April 26, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Wei, H., Bera, T. K., Wayne, A. S., Xiang, L., Colantonio, S., Chertov, O., Pastan, I. Tags: Cell Biology Source Type: research

Breakpoint Analysis of Transcriptional and Genomic Profiles Uncovers Novel Gene Fusions Spanning Multiple Human Cancer Types
by Craig P. Giacomini, Steven Sun, Sushama Varma, A. Hunter Shain, Marilyn M. Giacomini, Jay Balagtas, Robert T. Sweeney, Everett Lai, Catherine A. Del Vecchio, Andrew D. Forster, Nicole Clarke, Kelli D. Montgomery, Shirley Zhu, Albert J. Wong, Matt van de Rijn, Robert B. West, Jonathan R. Pollack Gene fusions, like BCR/ABL1 in chronic myelogenous leukemia, have long been recognized in hematologic and mesenchymal malignancies. The recent finding of gene fusions in prostate and lung cancers has motivated the search for pathogenic gene fusions in other malignancies. Here, we developed a “breakpoint analysis” pipeline to...
Source: PLoS Genetics - April 25, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Craig P. Giacomini et al. Source Type: research

Motor Functioning During and Following Treatment With Chemotherapy for Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Abstract This systematic review evaluated empirical studies examining motor skills in children during and following treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Most studies indicated that children on‐treatment display poorer gross and fine motor abilities than healthy peers, but generally have intact visual‐motor integration skills. Studies have reported gross motor difficulties in 5–54% of survivors. There is some limited evidence for long‐term fine motor deficits. The evidence for visual‐motor integration difficulties in the survivor population is less consistent. Larger studies with a longitudinal design are n...
Source: Pediatric Blood and Cancer - April 22, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Jessica L. Green, Sarah J. Knight, Maria McCarthy, Cinzia R. De Luca Tags: Review Source Type: research

Endothelial Function in Long‐Term Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Effects of a Home‐Based Exercise Program
ConclusionsOur results show that the excess burden of CVD morbidity in this population may possibly be alleviated by simple means. The importance of physical activity on the health of childhood ALL survivors should be emphasized. Longer, controlled studies are needed to confirm our findings. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Pediatric Blood and Cancer)
Source: Pediatric Blood and Cancer - April 20, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Liisa S. Järvelä, Harri Niinikoski, Olli J. Heinonen, Päivi M. Lähteenmäki, Mikko Arola, Jukka Kemppainen Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

NIH-defined graft-versus-host disease and evidence for a potent graft-versus-leukemia effect in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Conclusions The NIH consensus criteria for GVHD clearly define prognostic subgroups in patients transplanted for ALL. The improved OS in patients developing cGVHD after transplant or DLI gives clear evidence for a potent graft-versus-leukemia effect in this indication. (Source: Annals of Oncology)
Source: Annals of Oncology - April 18, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Terwey, T. H., Le Duc, T. M., Hemmati, P. G., le Coutre, P., Nagy, M., Martus, P., Dorken, B., Arnold, R. Tags: hematologic malignancies Source Type: research

Outcomes of treatment for relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children with Down syndrome
Summary Children with Down syndrome (DS) have a greater risk for developing both acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and significant adverse effects of chemotherapy. We investigated their outcome with, and tolerance of, treatment protocols for relapsed ALL optimized in the paediatric population without DS. Probability of survival and causes of treatment failure were determined for 49 children with DS and a matched cohort of 98 children without DS among 2160 children treated for relapsed ALL in clinical trials conducted by the Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Münster ALL Relapse Study Group between 1983 and 2012. Despite more favourab...
Source: British Journal of Haematology - April 18, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Franziska Meyr, Gabriele Escherich, Georg Mann, Thomas Klingebiel, Andreas Kulozik, Claudia Rossig, Martin Schrappe, Günter Henze, Arend Stackelberg, Johann Hitzler Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Successful coil embolization for life‐threatening hemorrhage in childhood leukemia induction therapy
Abstract An 11‐year‐old boy was experienced severe life‐threatening hemorrhage from a branch of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) after acute lymphoblastic leukemia induction therapy. The patient had a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), diagnosed at 3 years of age. Subsequent to discontinuing his psychotropic medication, the patient’s mental status deteriorated and treatment with midazolam for 3 weeks was necessary to allow the completion of the leukemia induction regimen. On day 51, although there was no indication of thrombocytopenia or a coagulation disorder, the patient began to hemo...
Source: Pediatrics International - April 16, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jun Hayakawa, Takahiro Ueda, Yusuke Fujiwara, Yusuke Ozaki, Satoshi Wakita, Miho Maeda, Yoshitaka Fukunaga Tags: PATIENT REPORT Source Type: research

Asparagine synthetase: regulation by cell stress and involvement in tumor biology
Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) catalyzes the conversion of aspartate and glutamine to asparagine and glutamate in an ATP-dependent reaction. The enzyme is ubiquitous in its organ distribution in mammals, but basal expression is relatively low in tissues other than the exocrine pancreas. Human ASNS activity is highly regulated in response to cell stress, primarily by increased transcription from a single gene located on chromosome 7. Among the genomic elements that control ASNS transcription is the C/EBP-ATF response element (CARE) within the promoter. Protein limitation or an imbalanced dietary amino acid composition activat...
Source: AJP: Endocrinology and Metabolism - April 15, 2013 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Balasubramanian, M. N., Butterworth, E. A., Kilberg, M. S. Tags: Review Source Type: research

Enhanced levels of the apoptotic BAX/BCL-2 ratio in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and high-risk features
It has been suggested that leukemia is characterized by an impaired balance between the proliferation of blood cells and their capacity to undergo apoptosis. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of key molecules related to apoptosis (BCL-2, BAX, FAS, FAS-L) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Measurement of BCL-2 and BAX mRNA was performed by quantitative real-time PCR, and membrane expression of FAS and FAS-L was assessed by flow cytometry in bone marrow mononuclear cells, both at diagnosis and at remission following induction chemotherapy. At diagnosis, increased levels of the apoptotic BA...
Source: Genetics and Molecular Biology - April 14, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research

Clinical and pharmacologic aspects of blinatumomab in the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Portell CA, Wenzell CM, Advani AS (Source: International Journal of COPD)
Source: International Journal of COPD - April 14, 2013 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research

Notch1 signaling is involved in regulating Foxp3 expression in T-ALL
Conclusions: These findings indicate that regulation of Foxp3 expression does involve Notch signaling, and they may cooperatively regulate T cell proliferation in T-ALL. (Source: Cancer Cell International)
Source: Cancer Cell International - April 11, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Xiaodan LuoHuo TanYueqiao ZhouTiantian XiaoChunyan WangYangqiu Li Source Type: research

Patient age influences leukemia characteristics, treatment
Adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are more likely to require high-risk chemotherapy than their pediatric counterparts, demonstrate results from a study using standardized diagnostic, risk assessment and treatment protocols. (Source: MedWire News - Pediatrics)
Source: MedWire News - Pediatrics - April 10, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: news

Fetal Exposure To Air Pollution Increases Risk Of Pediatric Cancers
Pregnant women exposed to air pollution put their children at an increased risk of three different types of cancer, according to new research presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013. In their study, researchers identified that prolonged exposure to traffic-related air pollution can increase a child's risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and two other rare childhood cancers. Julia Heck, Ph.D., M.P.H... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - April 10, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cancer / Oncology Source Type: news

UCLA researchers find potential link between auto pollution, some childhood cancers
Scientists from UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health led by Julia Heck, an assistant researcher in the school's epidemiology department and a member of UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, have found a possible link between exposure to traffic-related air pollution and several childhood cancers. The results of their study — the first to examine air pollution from traffic and a number of rarer childhood cancers — were presented on April 9 in an abstract at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C. For the study, the UCLA researchers utilized data on 3,...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - April 9, 2013 Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news

Subsequent leukaemia in autoimmune disease patients
Summary Previous studies have shown that patients diagnosed with some autoimmune (AI) diseases are at an increased risk of leukaemia but limited data are available on survival. We systematically analysed the risks (standardized incidence ratio, SIR) and survival (hazard ratio, HR) in nine types of leukaemia among 402 462 patients hospitalized for any of 33 AI diseases and compared to persons not hospitalized for AI diseases. Risk for all leukaemia was increased after 13 AI diseases and survival was decreased after six AI diseases. SIRs were increased after all AI diseases for seven types of leukaemia, including SIR 1·69 ...
Source: British Journal of Haematology - April 9, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Kari Hemminki, Xiangdong Liu, Asta Försti, Jianguang Ji, Jan Sundquist, Kristina Sundquist Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Patient age influences leukemia characteristics, treatment
Adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are more likely to require high-risk chemotherapy than their pediatric counterparts, demonstrate results from a study using standardized diagnostic, risk assessment and treatment protocols. (Source: MedWire News - Oncology)
Source: MedWire News - Oncology - April 8, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news

O-acetylated N-acetylneuraminic acid as a novel target for therapy in human pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia
The development of resistance to chemotherapy is a major cause of relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Though several mechanisms associated with drug resistance have been studied in detail, the role of carbohydrate modification remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the contribution of 9-O-acetylated N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) to survival and drug resistance development in ALL cells. A strong induction of 9-O-acetylated Neu5Ac including 9-O-acetyl GD3 was detected in ALL cells that developed resistance against vincristine or nilotinib, drugs with distinct cytotoxic mechanisms. Removal of 9-O-acetyl resid...
Source: The Journal of Experimental Medicine - April 8, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Parameswaran, R., Lim, M., Arutyunyan, A., Abdel-Azim, H., Hurtz, C., Lau, K., Muschen, M., Yu, R. K., von Itzstein, M., Heisterkamp, N., Groffen, J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Nurse-Driven Protocols for Febrile Pediatric Oncology Patients
Discussion: This quality initiative has direct application for all ED leaders who treat children with cancer. High-risk patients can benefit from a streamlined nurse-initiated process that decreases negative consequences of fever. Collaboration by interdisciplinary leadership within the health care facility, as well as key stakeholder buy-in, is imperative to achieve a process that may lead to decreased hospital stay and reduced systemic infection or mortality for these vulnerable patients. (Source: Journal of Emergency Nursing: JEN)
Source: Journal of Emergency Nursing: JEN - April 8, 2013 Category: Nursing Authors: Gina Dobrasz, Marianne Hatfield, Laura Masak Jones, Jennifer Joan Berdis, Erin Elizabeth Miller, Melanie Smith Entrekin Tags: Pediatric Update Source Type: research

Iclusig (ponatinib) for the Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Iclusig (ponatinib) is indicated for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ALL). The drug is discovered, developed and marketed by Ariad Pharmaceuticals. (Source: Drug Development Technology)
Source: Drug Development Technology - April 5, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news

Potent obatoclax cytotoxicity and activation of triple death mode killing across infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Survival in infants younger than 1 year who have acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is inferior whether MLL is rearranged (R) or germline (G). MLL translocations confer chemotherapy resistance, and infants experience excess complications. We characterized in vitro sensitivity to the pan-antiapoptotic BCL-2 family inhibitor obatoclax mesylate in diagnostic leukemia cells from 54 infants with ALL/bilineal acute leukemia because of the role of prosurvival BCL-2 proteins in resistance, their imbalanced expression in infant ALL, and evidence of obatoclax activity with a favorable toxicity profile in early adult leukemia trials....
Source: Blood - April 4, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Urtishak, K. A., Edwards, A. Y. Z., Wang, L.-S., Hudome, A., Robinson, B. W., Barrett, J. S., Cao, K., Cory, L., Moore, J. S., Bantly, A. D., Yu, Q.-C., Chen, I.-M. L., Atlas, S. R., Willman, C. L., Kundu, M., Carroll, A. J., Heerema, N. A., Devidas, M., Tags: Pediatric Hematology, Lymphoid Neoplasia Source Type: research

Risk group assignment differs for children and adults 1–45 yr with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated by the NOPHO ALL‐2008 protocol
ConclusionsEven if identical diagnostics, treatment, and risk stratification are implemented, more adults will be stratified to high‐risk therapy, which should be considered when comparing pediatric and adult outcomes. (Source: European Journal of Haematology)
Source: European Journal of Haematology - April 2, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Nina Toft, Henrik Birgens, Jonas Abrahamsson, Per Bernell, Laimonas Griškevičius, Helene Hallböök, Mats Heyman, Mette Skov Holm, Erik Hulegårdh, Tobias Wirenfeldt Klausen, Hanne V. Marquart, Ólafur Gísli Jónsson, Ove Juul Nielsen, Petter Quist‐P Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Detection of ABL1 kinase mutations in Philadelphia‐positive patients exhibiting an inadequate molecular response using restriction fragment mass polymorphism and its clinical significance: a single‐center experience in Korea
ConclusionMutation analysis should be performed in Ph+ patients exhibiting an IMR to imatinib. RFMP analysis is helpful for revising therapeutic strategies because it can sensitively detect clinically relevant ABL1 kinase mutations with high frequencies. (Source: Clinical and Laboratory Haematology)
Source: Clinical and Laboratory Haematology - April 1, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Y.‐U. Cho, S.‐O. Kim, H.‐S. Chi, S.‐J. Park, S. Jang, C.‐J. Park, E.‐J. Seo, J.‐H. Lee, J.‐H. Lee, K.‐H. Lee, H.‐J. Im, J.‐J. Seo, S. P. Hong Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Accidental shortening time of high dose methotrexate infusion: case report and literature review.
We report a case of an accidental shortening time for high dose MTX infusion and a literature review of accidental intoxications by the MTX. This case illustrates the importance of the respect of MTX high dose infusion time and the major role played by the therapeutic drug monitoring. PMID: 23587592 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique)
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - April 1, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Charfi R, Salouage I, Trabelsi S, Zarrouk M, Gaïes E, Jebabli N, Meddeb B, Lakhal M, Klouz A Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research