Recent Progress in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Hematology & Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 August 2024) | Viewed by 10388

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Velkey László Child’s Health Center, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County University Teaching Hospital, 3526 Miskolc, Hungary
Interests: pediatric oncology; pediatric brain tumor; pediatrics cancer; pediatric cancer therapy; pediatric hematology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, significant progress has been observed in the field of pediatric hematology–oncology. The wide use of new molecular techniques (e.g., NGS and methylation profiles) has provided a deeper insight into the diagnostic and prognostic classification of pediatric malignancies. The introduction of liquid biopsy techniques from blood could aid quicker diagnosis, easier follow-up of the response to therapy, and a deeper insight into the non-cellular components of a malignancy. A better understanding of the immuno-microenvironment of tumors, and discoveries of tumor- immunogenicity, have led to new immuno-driven therapeutic methods, which try to confine the use of chemotherapy and may provide a better long-term control of the disease. The systematic long-term follow-up of pediatric patients provides new aspects in the application of different therapies. Deeper insight into the medical communication of pediatric health care professionals could provide a better communication approach for parents and patients.

This Special Issue aims to provide a wide overview of recent advances in the field of pediatric hematology and oncology, not only for pediatric oncologists, but for all specialists in the field of pediatrics.

Dr. Peter Hauser
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • liquid biopsy
  • molecular diagnostic methods
  • immunotherapy
  • long-term follow-up
  • communication of health care professionals
  • prognosis

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 842 KiB  
Article
Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (sRAGE) Level and Its Prognostic Significance in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
by Busra Ozkan, Yasemin Altuner Torun, Cigdem Karakukcu and Binnaz Celik
Children 2024, 11(2), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11020176 - 31 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1327
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemias are the most common malignancies in childhood. Although its etiology is still unclear, it is thought that disorders in oxidative stress metabolism may contribute to leukemogenesis. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed as a result of the non-enzymatic binding [...] Read more.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemias are the most common malignancies in childhood. Although its etiology is still unclear, it is thought that disorders in oxidative stress metabolism may contribute to leukemogenesis. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed as a result of the non-enzymatic binding of sugars to biomolecules. Oxidation reactions are triggered through AGE–Receptor (RAGE) interaction, resulting in the formation of reactive oxygen species. These can play crucial roles in cancer pathogenesis and leukemogenesis. It is thought that sRAGE (soluble RAGE) is the end product of glycation and circulates freely in the circulation by binding to RAGE ligands. We investigate novel leukemia biomarkers and focus on soluble RAGE (sRAGE) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosis and prognosis. Thirty children (1–17 years) diagnosed with ALL were included in the study. Patients were divided into standard, medium, and high risk groups according to the Berlin–Frankfurt–Münster (BFM) treatment protocol. Patients were evaluated twice; at the time of diagnosis and at the sixth month of remission. sRAGE and blood parameters were compared with healthy controls (n = 30, 1–17 years). The sRAGE levels in ALL patients at diagnosis (138.7 ± 177.3 pg/mL) were found to be significantly higher than they were during the sixth month of remission (17.6 ± 21.1 pg/mL) and in healthy controls (22.2 ± 23.7 pg/mL). The cut-off value of the sRAGE level for the diagnosis of ALL was found to be 45 pg/mL in ROC analysis (sensitivity: 73.3%, specificity: 86.7%, AUC: 0.681). At the same time, the sRAGE level was found to be significantly higher in T-ALL patients (490.9 ± 236.9 pg/mL) than in B-ALL patients (84.5 ± 82.7 pg/mL). No significant difference was found in terms of the sRAGE level between standard (45.8± 33.1 pg/mL), medium (212 ± 222.1 pg/mL), and high (143.9 ± 111.5 pg/mL) risk group ALL patients classified according to the BFM protocol. Despite the fact that this was a small, single-center study, our findings highlight the potential use of sRAGE as a biomarker for diagnosing ALL and assessing response to treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology)
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Review

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18 pages, 1629 KiB  
Review
Skeletal Muscle Measurements in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology: Essential Components to a Comprehensive Assessment
by Kelly Rock, Odessa Addison, Vicki L. Gray, Robert M. Henshaw, Christopher Ward and Victoria Marchese
Children 2023, 10(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10010114 - 5 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2480
Abstract
Children with hematologic and oncologic health conditions are at risk of impaired skeletal muscle strength, size, and neuromuscular activation that may limit gross motor performance. A comprehensive assessment of neuromuscular function of these children is essential to identify the trajectory of changes in [...] Read more.
Children with hematologic and oncologic health conditions are at risk of impaired skeletal muscle strength, size, and neuromuscular activation that may limit gross motor performance. A comprehensive assessment of neuromuscular function of these children is essential to identify the trajectory of changes in skeletal muscle and to prescribe therapeutic exercise and monitor its impact. Therefore, this review aims to (a) define fundamental properties of skeletal muscle; (b) highlight methods to quantify muscle strength, size, and neuromuscular activation; (c) describe mechanisms that contribute to muscle strength and gross motor performance in children; (d) recommend clinical assessment measures; and (e) illustrate comprehensive muscle assessment in children using examples of sickle cell disease and musculoskeletal sarcoma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology)
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Other

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22 pages, 1104 KiB  
Systematic Review
Physical Activity as a Treatment for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review
by Mareike Kuehn, Lena Wypyrsczyk, Sandra Stoessel, Marie A. Neu, Lisa Ploch, Elias Dreismickenbecker, Perikles Simon and Joerg Faber
Children 2023, 10(3), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030572 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3833
Abstract
Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common and distressing symptoms in paediatric oncology. Based on previous studies, physical activity interventions are considered to be effective in reducing CRF in adult cancer patients. Aim: The aim of this systematic review is [...] Read more.
Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common and distressing symptoms in paediatric oncology. Based on previous studies, physical activity interventions are considered to be effective in reducing CRF in adult cancer patients. Aim: The aim of this systematic review is to investigate whether physical activity interventions can reduce CRF in paediatric patients undergoing cancer treatment. Methodology: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Sport-Discus in October 2021 to identify intervention studies examining the effects of physical activity on CRF in cancer patients ≤ 21 years of age. Their methodological quality was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tool. Results: A total of 20 studies (seven randomized-controlled, six quasi-experimental and seven single-arm intervention trials) were included in the review. Nine studies reported significant positive effects of physical activity interventions on CRF in group comparison or within groups. Eleven trials reported no significant changes in CRF. Conclusion: Physical activity as a therapeutic intervention in paediatric oncology may have the potential to reduce CRF in childhood cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment. Further high-quality studies with large samples are needed to verify these results and to assess the interdependence of dose and response of physical activity interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology)
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8 pages, 2465 KiB  
Case Report
Peripheral Bone Relapse of Paediatric TCF3-HLF Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia during Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Case Report
by Máté Horváth, Gabriella Kertész, Csaba Kassa, Vera Goda, Kata Csordás, Lidia Hau, Anna Kövér, Anita Stréhn, Orsolya Horváth, Krisztián Kállay and Gergely Kriván
Children 2022, 9(12), 1919; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9121919 - 8 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1610
Abstract
The present case report features a highly uncommon form of a paediatric TCF3-HLF positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) relapse, an extramedullary, peripheral bone manifestation. Following complete remission, during the conditioning for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), our sixteen-year-old male patient complained of fever, [...] Read more.
The present case report features a highly uncommon form of a paediatric TCF3-HLF positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) relapse, an extramedullary, peripheral bone manifestation. Following complete remission, during the conditioning for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), our sixteen-year-old male patient complained of fever, pain and swelling of the right forearm. Radiography suggested acute osteomyelitis in the right ulna with subsequent surgical confirmation. Intraoperatively obtained debris culture grew Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter pittii. Measures taken to control the infection were deemed to be successful. However, after the completion of the otherwise uneventful HSCT, a very early medullary relapse was diagnosed. Revising the original surgical samples from the ulna, bone relapse of ALL was immunohistochemically confirmed. Reviewing the previous cases found in the literature, it is advised to consider uncommon forms of ALL relapse when encountering ambiguous cases of osteomyelitis or arthritis during haematological remission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology)
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