Search

PURPOSE: The Audiovisual-Assisted Therapeutic Ambience in Radiotherapy (AVATAR) trial was a prospective multicenter study (NCT03991156) examining the combination of video immersion with radiation therapy and was successfully conducted through the collaboration of pediatric radiation oncology teams at 10 institutions independent of any pre-existing consortium. We sought to analyze and report the methodology of trial conception and development, process map, and cost. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study enrolled patients aged 3 to 10 years preparing to undergo radiation therapy, integrated the combination of AVATAR-based video immersion with radiation therapy at each institution, and offered AVATAR use as an alternative to anesthesia, with rates of anesthesia use and outcomes of serial standardized anxiety and quality-of-life assessments assessed among the 81 children enrolled. A process map was created based on the trial timeline with the following components: study development time (time from conception of the trial to the accrual of the first patient, including design phase, agreement and approval phase, and site preparation phase), and accrual duration time (time from the first to last accrual). Costs and institutional success rates were calculated. RESULTS: Time from inception of study to last accrual was 3.6 years (1313 days). The study development time was 417 days (31.7%), and accrual duration time was 896 days (68.3%), with the final 50% of accrual occurring in

PurposeThe Audio-Visual Assisted Therapeutic Ambience in Radiotherapy (AVATAR) system was the first published radiation therapy (RT)-compatible system to reduce the need for pediatric anesthesia through video-based distraction. We evaluated the feasibility of AVATAR implementation and effects on anesthesia use, quality of life, and anxiety in a multicenter pediatric trial.Methods and materialsPediatric patients 3 to 10 years of age preparing to undergo RT at 10 institutions were prospectively enrolled. Children able to undergo at least 1 fraction of RT using AVATAR without anesthesia were considered successful (S). Patients requiring anesthesia for their entire treatment course were nonsuccessful (NS). The PedsQL3.0 Cancer Module (PedsQL) survey assessed quality of life and was administered to the patient and guardian at RT simulation, midway through RT, and at final treatment. The modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) assessed anxiety and was performed at the same 3 time points. Success was evaluated using the χ2 test. PedsQL and mYPAS scores were assessed using mixed effects models with time points evaluated as fixed effects and a random intercept on the subject.ResultsEighty-one children were included; median age was 7 years. AVATAR was successful at all 10 institutions and with photon and proton RT. There were 63 (78%) S patients; anesthesia was avoided for a median of 20 fractions per patient. Success differed by age (P = .04) and private versus public insurance (P < .001). Both patient (P = .008) and parent (P = .006) PedsQL scores significantly improved over the course of RT for patients aged 5 to 7. Anxiety in the treatment room decreased for both S and NS patients over RT course (P < .001), by age (P < .001), and by S versus NS patients (P < .001).ConclusionsIn this 10-center prospective trial, anesthesia avoidance with AVATAR was 78% in children aged 3 to 10 years, higher than among age-matched historical controls (49%; P < .001). AVATAR implementation is feasible across multiple institutions and should be further studied and made available to patients who may benefit from video-based distraction.

PurposeWe evaluated whether combining a humanized antidisialoganglioside monoclonal antibody (hu14.18K322A) throughout therapy improves early response and outcomes in children with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma.Patients and methodsWe conducted a prospective, single-arm, three-stage, phase II clinical trial. Six cycles of induction chemotherapy were coadministered with hu14.18K322A, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2). The consolidation regimen included busulfan and melphalan. When available, an additional cycle of parent-derived natural killer cells with hu14.18K322A was administered during consolidation (n = 31). Radiation therapy was administered at the end of consolidation. Postconsolidation treatment included hu14.18K322A, GM-CSF, IL-2, and isotretinoin. Early response was assessed after the first two cycles of induction therapy. End-of-induction response, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated.ResultsSixty-four patients received hu14.18K322A with induction chemotherapy. This regimen was well tolerated, with continuous infusion narcotics. Partial responses (PRs) or better after the first two chemoimmunotherapy cycles occurred in 42 of 63 evaluable patients (66.7%; 95% CI, 55.0 to 78.3). Primary tumor volume decreased by a median of 75% (range, 100% [complete disappearance]-5% growth). Median peak hu14.18K322A serum levels in cycle one correlated with early response to therapy (P = .0154, one-sided t-test). Sixty of 62 patients (97%) had an end-of-induction partial response or better. No patients experienced progressive disease during induction. The 3-year EFS was 73.7% (95% CI, 60.0 to 83.4), and the OS was 86.0% (95% CI, 73.8 to 92.8), respectively.ConclusionAdding hu14.18K322A to induction chemotherapy improved early objective responses, significantly reduced tumor volumes in most patients, improved end-of-induction response rates, and yielded an encouraging 3-year EFS. These results, if validated in a larger study, may be practice changing.

PurposeThe use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in pediatric patients has been underreported. We reviewed practice patterns, outcomes, and toxicity of SBRT in this population.Methods and materialsIn this multi-institutional study, 55 patients with 107 non-central nervous system lesions treated with SBRT between 2010 and 2016 were reviewed. Treatment response was evaluated by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1 and modified RECIST v1.1 criteria for soft-tissue and bone lesions, respectively. Patterns of local failure (LF) were assessed dosimetrically. The cumulative incidence of LF and toxicity were estimated accounting for the competing risk event of death. Predictors of LF were identified through joint frailty models for clustered competing risks.ResultsThe median (range) dose/fraction was 7 (4.5-25) Gy, the total (range) dose/site was 35 (12-45), and the median (range) number of fractions was 5 (1-9). The radiographic response rates of bone and soft-tissue lesions were 90.6% and 76.7%, respectively. Symptom improvement was observed for 62% of symptomatic sites. A total of 27 LFs were documented, with 14 in-field, 9 marginal, and 4 out-of-field LFs. The 1-year estimated cumulative LF rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival were 25.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.2%-36.1%), 17.5% (95% CI, 9.0%-34.1%), and 61% (95% CI, 48.9%-76.1%), respectively. Lesion type (soft tissue vs bone) was the only significant predictor of LF on multivariable analysis (P = .04), with increased hazard for soft-tissue lesions. No acute or late toxicity of grade 4 or higher was observed; the estimated 1-year cumulative incidence of late toxicity of any grade was 7.5% (95% CI, 3.6%-12.1%).ConclusionsThe SBRT was well tolerated and resulted in radiographic response and symptom palliation in most pediatric patients with advanced disease. The 1-year cumulative LF rate of 25% will serve as a benchmark for further modifications to radiation therapy indications, parameters, and combination therapy.

PurposeWe sought to evaluate whether combining a humanized antidisialoganglioside mAb (hu14.18K322A) with induction chemotherapy improves early responses and outcomes in children with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma.Patients and methodsWe conducted a prospective nonrandomized, single-arm, two-stage, phase II clinical trial. Six courses of induction chemotherapy were coadministered with hu14.18K322A and followed with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and low-dose IL2. Consolidation was performed with a busulfan/melphalan preparative regimen. An additional course of hu14.18K322A was administered with parent-derived natural killer cells, when available, during consolidation. Hu14.18K322A, GM-CSF, IL2, and isotretinoin were then administered. Secondary outcomes included reduced tumor volume and semiquantitative 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scoring [i.e., Curie scores (CS)] at the end of induction.ResultsForty-two patients received hu14.18K322A and induction chemotherapy. This regimen was well tolerated, with continuous-infusion narcotics adjusted to patient tolerance. Partial responses (PR) or better after the first two chemoimmunotherapy courses occurred in 32 patients [76.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 60.6-88.0]. This was accompanied by primary tumor volume reductions (median, -76%; range, -100% to 5%). Of 35 patients with stage IV disease who completed induction, 31 had end-of-induction CSs of 2 or less. No patients experienced progression during induction. Two-year event-free survival (EFS) was 85.7% (95% CI, 70.9-93.3).ConclusionsAdding hu14.18K322A to induction chemotherapy produced early PR or better in most patients, reduced tumor volumes, improved CSs at the end of induction, and yielded an encouraging 2-year EFS. These results, if validated in a larger study, may change the standard of care for children with high-risk neuroblastoma.

Background Patients with bilateral Wilms tumor initially receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy to shrink the tumors and increase the likelihood of successful nephron-sparing surgery. Biopsy of poorly responding tumors is often done to better understand therapy resistance. The purpose of this retrospective, single-institution study was to determine whether initial chemotherapy response is associated with tumor histology, potentially obviating the need for biopsy or change in chemotherapy. Methods Patients with synchronous bilateral Wilms tumors who underwent surgery at St Jude Children's Research Hospital from January 2000 to March 2022 were considered for this study. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to evaluate the likelihood of the tumor being stromal predominant, as predicted by tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results A total of 68 patients were eligible for this study. Tumors that increased in size had an odds ratio of 19.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.46 to 155.03) for being stromal predominant vs any other histologic subtype. Age at diagnosis was youngest in patients with stromal-predominant tumors, with a mean age of 18.8 (14.1) months compared with all other histologic subtypes (χ2 = 7.05, P  = .07). The predictive value of a tumor growing combined with patient aged younger than 18 months for confirming stromal-predominant histology was 85.7% (95% CI = 57.18% to 93.5%). Conclusions Tumors that increased in size during neoadjuvant chemotherapy were most frequently stromal-predominant bilateral Wilms tumor, especially in younger patients. Therefore, nephron-sparing surgery, rather than biopsy, or extension or intensification of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, should be considered for bilateral Wilms tumors that increase in volume during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, particularly in patients aged younger than 18 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common kidney tumor in pediatric patients. Intravascular extension of WT above the level of the renal veins is a rare manifestation that complicates surgical management. Patients with intravascular extension are frequently asymptomatic at diagnosis, and tumor thrombus extension is usually diagnosed by imaging. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is indicated for thrombus extension above the level of the hepatic veins and often leads to thrombus regression, obviating the need for cardiopulmonary bypass in cases of cardiac thrombus at diagnosis. In cases of tumor extension to the retrohepatic cava, neoadjuvant therapy is not strictly indicated, but it may facilitate the regression of tumor thrombi, making resection safer. Hepatic vascular isolation and cardiopulmonary bypass increase the risk of bleeding and other complications when utilized for tumor thrombectomy. Fortunately, WT patients with vena caval with or with intracardiac extension have similar overall and event-free survival when compared to patients with WT without intravascular extension when thrombectomy is successfully performed. Still, patients with metastatic disease at presentation or unfavorable histology suffer relatively poor outcomes. Dedicated pediatric surgical oncology and pediatric cardiothoracic surgery teams, in conjunction with multimodal therapy directed by a multidisciplinary team, are preferred for optimized outcomes in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Local control for patients with Ewing sarcoma (EWS) who present with large tumors are suboptimal when treated with standard radiation therapy (RT) doses of 54-55.8 Gy. The purpose of this study is to determine local control and toxicity of dose-escalated RT for tumors =8 cm (greatest diameter at diagnosis) in pediatric and young adult patients with EWS. Methods: Eligible patients =30 years old with newly diagnosed EWS =8 cm treated with definitive conformal or intensity modulated photon, or proton radiation therapy techniques were included. All patients in the study received dose-escalated RT doses. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), local failure rates, and toxicity. Results: Thirty-two patients were included, 20 patients presented with metastatic disease and 12 patients with localized disease. The median RT dose was 64.8 Gy (range, 59.4-69.4 Gy) with variability of doses to protect normal surrounding tissues. All patients received systemic chemotherapy. The 5-year OS and EFS for the cohort was 64.2% and 42%, respectively. The 5-year cumulative incidence of local failure was 6.6%. There were two combined local and distant failures with no isolated local failures. Twenty-nine patients experienced short term toxicity, 90% of those being radiation dermatitis. Twenty-seven patients experienced long-term toxicity, with only one experiencing grade 4 toxicity, a secondary malignancy after therapy. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that definitive RT for pediatric and young adult patients with EWS =8 cm provides high rates of local control, while maintaining a tolerable toxicity profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The manuscript discusses the administration of proton therapy to the first 13 pediatric patients in the prospective SJWT21 clinical trial to assess the efficacy of proton therapy in treating children with stage III-V Wilms' tumor. The group of 13 patients received abdominal irradiation after undergoing a nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy. A key aspect of the study highlighted in the manuscript is the rigorous daily monitoring of changes in bowel gas and analyzing how these changes affect the quality of the treatment plan. Additionally, the manuscript investigates the potential inaccuracies in the proton range caused by varying gantry beam angles. It aims to pinpoint the most advantageous gantry angles that would reduce deviations from the intended treatment plan, thereby improving the safety and effectiveness of proton therapy for these young patients. (1) Background: Proton therapy, a precise form of radiation treatment, can be significantly affected by variations in bowel content. The purpose was to identify the most beneficial gantry angles that minimize deviations from the treatment plan quality, thus enhancing the safety and efficacy of proton therapy for Wilms' tumor patients. (2) Methods: Thirteen patients with Wilms' tumor, enrolled in the SJWT21 clinical trial, underwent proton therapy. The variations in bowel gas were systematically monitored using daily Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) imaging. Air cavities identified in daily CBCT images were analyzed to construct daily verification plans and measure water equivalent path length (WEPL) changes. A worst-case scenario simulation was conducted to identify the safest beam angles. (3) Results: The study revealed a maximum decrease in target dose (ΔD100%) of 8.0%, which corresponded to a WEPL variation (ΔWEPL) of 11.3 mm. The average reduction in target dose, denoted as mean ΔD100%, was found to be 2.8%, with a standard deviation (SD) of 3.2%. The mean ΔWEPL was observed as 3.3 mm, with an SD of 2.7 mm. The worst-case scenario analysis suggested that gantry beam angles oriented toward the patient's right and posterior aspects from 110° to 310° were associated with minimized WEPL discrepancies. (4) Conclusions: This study comprehensively evaluated the influence of bowel gas variability on treatment plan accuracy and proton range uncertainties in pediatric proton therapy for Wilms' tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The research highlights the application of synthetic CT images, which are created by deforming planning CT scans to match daily CBCT anatomy in interfractional proton therapy for pediatric patients with pelvic tumors. The objective of the study is to identify changes in the proton path length and determine the impact of anatomical changes on the treatment plan's quality. The findings reveal that the water equivalent path length method can effectively estimate proton range deviations on synthetic-CT images. The daily synthetic CT images can also be utilized as a surrogate to calculate dose and predict dosimetric changes in the plan of the day. This approach eliminates the need for frequent rescanning, thereby making the adaptive therapy process more streamlined and less burdensome for young patients. The results have the potential to improve the precision of proton therapy, hence paving the way for more effective treatments. (1) Background: Synthetic CT images of the pelvis were generated from daily CBCT images to monitor changes in water equivalent path length (WEPL) and determine the dosimetric impact of anatomy changes along the proton beam's path; (2) Methods: Ten pediatric patients with pelvic tumors treated using proton therapy with daily CBCT were included. The original planning CT was deformed to the same-day CBCT to generate synthetic CT images for WEPL comparison and dosimetric evaluation; (3) Results: WEPL changes of 20 proton fields at the distal edge of the CTV ranged from 0.1 to 12 mm with a median of 2.5 mm, and 75th percentile of 5.1 mm for (the original CT—rescanned CT) and ranged from 0.3 to 10.1 mm with a median of 2.45 mm and 75th percentile of 4.8 mm for (the original CT—synthetic CT). The dosimetric impact was due to proton range pullback or overshoot, which led to reduced coverage in CTV Dmin averaging 12.1% and 11.3% in the rescanned and synthetic CT verification plans, respectively; (4) Conclusions: The study demonstrated that synthetic CT generated by deforming the original planning CT to daily CBCT can be used to quantify proton range changes and predict adverse dosimetric scenarios without the need for excessive rescanned CT scans during large interfractional variations in adaptive proton therapy of pediatric pelvic tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infantile fibrosarcoma is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children under the age of 1 yr and is defined molecularly by NTRK fusion proteins. This tumor is known to be locally invasive; however, although rare, metastases can occur. The NTRK fusion acts as a driver for tumor formation, which can be targeted by first- and second-generation TRK inhibitors. Although NTRK gatekeeper mutations have been well-described as mechanisms of resistance to these agents, alternative pathway mutations are rare. Here, we report the case of a patient with infantile fibrosarcoma treated with chemotherapy and TRK inhibition that developed metastatic, progressive disease with multiple acquired mutations, including TP53, SUFU, and an NTRK F617L gatekeeper mutation. Alterations in pathways of SUFU and TP53 have been widely described in the literature in other tumors; however, not yet in infantile fibrosarcoma. Although most patients have a sustained response to TRK inhibitors, a subset will go on to develop mechanisms of resistance that have implications for clinical management, such as in our patient. We hypothesize this constellation of mutations contributed to the patient's aggressive clinical course. Taken together, we report the first case of infantile fibrosarcoma with ETV6::NTRK3 and acquired SUFU, TP53, and NTRK F617L gatekeeper mutation along with detailed clinical course and management. Our report highlights the importance of genomic profiling in recurrent infantile fibrosarcoma to reveal actionable mutations, such as gatekeeper mutations, that can improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]