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Theoretical models suggest that anxiety, pain intensity, and pain catastrophizing are implicated in a cycle that leads to heightened fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). However, these relationships have not been empirically examined. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between anxiety symptoms, pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and FCR in childhood cancer survivors and their parents and to examine whether pain catastrophizing predicts increased FCR beyond anxiety symptoms and pain intensity.The participants were 54 survivors of various childhood cancers (Mage=13.1 y, range=8.4 to 17.9 y, 50% female) and their parents (94% mothers). Children reported on their pain intensity in the past 7 days. Children and parents separately completed measures of anxiety symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and FCR.Higher anxiety symptoms were associated with increased pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and FCR in childhood cancer survivors. Higher anxiety symptoms and pain catastrophizing, but not child pain intensity, were associated with FCR in parents. Hierarchical linear regression models revealed that pain catastrophizing explained unique variance in both parent (ΔR2=0.11, P0.01) and child (ΔR2=0.07, P0.05) FCR over and above the effects of their own anxiety symptoms and child pain.The results of this study provides novel data on the association between pain and FCR and suggests that a catastrophic style of thinking about pain is more closely related to heightened FCR than one's anxiety symptoms or the sensory pain experience in both childhood cancer survivors and their parents. Pain catastrophizing may be a novel intervention target for survivors and parents struggling with fears of recurrence.

An objective of the Children's Oncology Group AREN0534 Study was to improve the survival of patients with bilateral Wilms tumors (BWT) by using preoperative chemotherapy of limited duration and tailoring postoperative therapy based on histopathologic response. The authors report outcomes based on postoperative histopathologic responses.Patients with BWT received treatment with vincristine, dactinomycin, and doxorubicin for 6 or 12 weeks followed by surgery. Postoperative therapy was prescribed based on the highest risk tumor according to the International Society of Pediatric Oncology classification and the Children's Oncology Group staging system.Analyses were performed on data from 180 evaluable children. The 4-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 81% (95% CI, 74%-87%) and 95% (95% CI, 91%-99%), respectively. Seven patients who had completely necrotic tumors had a 4-year EFS rate of 100%. Of 118 patients who had tumors with intermediate-risk histopathology, the 4-year EFS and OS rates were 82% (95% CI, 74%-90%) and 97% (95% CI, 94%-100%), respectively. Fourteen patients who had blastemal-type tumors had 4-year EFS and OS rates of 79% (95% CI, 56%-100%) and 93% (95% CI, 79%-100%), respectively. Eighteen patients who had diffuse anaplasia had 4-year EFS and OS rates of 61% (95% CI, 35%-88%) and 72% (95% CI, 47%-97%), respectively; and the 4-year EFS and OS rates of 7 patients who had focal anaplasia were 71% (95% CI, 38%-100%) and 100%, respectively. There was no difference in the outcomes of patients who had different histopathologic subtypes within the intermediate-risk group (P = .54).A risk-adapted treatment approach for BWT results in excellent outcomes. This approach was not successful in improving the outcome of patients who had diffuse anaplasia.

This study comprehensively evaluated the landscape of genetic and epigenetic events that predispose to synchronous bilateral Wilms tumor (BWT). We performed whole exome or whole genome sequencing, total-strand RNA-seq, and DNA methylation analysis using germline and/or tumor samples from 68 patients with BWT from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Children’s Oncology Group. We found that 25/61 (41%) of patients evaluated harbored pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants, with WT1 (14.8%), NYNRIN (6.6%), TRIM28 (5%) and the BRCA-related genes (5%) BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 being most common. Germline WT1 variants were strongly associated with somatic paternal uniparental disomy encompassing the 11p15.5 and 11p13/WT1 loci and subsequent acquired pathogenic CTNNB1 variants. Somatic coding variants or genome-wide copy number alterations were almost never shared between paired synchronous BWT, suggesting that the acquisition of independent somatic variants leads to tumor formation in the context of germline or early embryonic, post-zygotic initiating events. In contrast, 11p15.5 status (loss of heterozygosity, loss or retention of imprinting) was shared among paired synchronous BWT in all but one case. The predominant molecular events for BWT predisposition include pathogenic germline variants or post-zygotic epigenetic hypermethylation at the 11p15.5 H19/ICR1 locus (loss of imprinting). This study demonstrates that post-zygotic somatic mosaicism for 11p15.5 hypermethylation/loss of imprinting is the single most common initiating molecular event predisposing to BWT. Evidence of somatic mosaicism for 11p15.5 loss of imprinting was detected in leukocytes of a cohort of BWT patients and long-term survivors, but not in unilateral Wilms tumor patients and long-term survivors or controls, further supporting the hypothesis that post-zygotic 11p15.5 alterations occurred in the mesoderm of patients who go on to develop BWT. Due to the preponderance of BWT patients with demonstrable germline or early embryonic tumor predisposition, BWT exhibits a unique biology when compared to unilateral Wilms tumor and therefore warrants continued refinement of its own treatment-relevant biomarkers which in turn may inform directed treatment strategies in the future.

Background Compassion has received significant scholarly attention over the past decade. Research has been largely theoretical, with interventions focused on self-care practices of healthcare providers (HCPs), rather than implementation at a systems level. This study aimed to identify how compassion can be operationalized within pediatric healthcare. Design and methods Data was analyzed from a secondary dataset of a larger Straussian grounded theory study of perspectives and experiences of compassion in pediatric healthcare. Patients (n = 33); parents (n = 16); and HCPs (n = 17) were asked specifically how compassion could be implemented within the clinical culture and healthcare system. Results 66 participants generated an operational model of compassion indicating how compassion could be implemented across the organization and larger healthcare system. The data revealed four themes and associated subthemes: teach and train; recognize and reward; measure and report; and embed compassion across the healthcare system. Conclusions Improving compassion in pediatric healthcare needs to extend beyond the efforts of individual HCPs. Compassion is the responsibility of the entire healthcare system and needs to traverse the patient and family experience. In addition to embedding compassion in policy, procedures, practice, and education, compassion should be considered a performance indicator that is measured and reported. Practice implications This study provides a preliminary framework for organizational leaders to operationalize compassion across the services, structures, polices, procedures and practices of pediatric healthcare. This includes ongoing compassion training across the organization; assessing compassion, recognizing compassion as a performance indicator, and ensuring that the infrastructure and ancillary services of the organization reflect compassion.

The implementation of precision medicine and next-generation sequencing technologies in the field of oncology is a novel approach being more widely studied and used in cases of high-risk primary and recurrent malignancies. Leukemias are the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in children and the sixth most in adults. Relapsed leukemia represents a major component of the population that may benefit from genomic sequencing. However, ethical and analytic challenges arise when considering sequencing of biologic samples obtained from patients with relapsed leukemia following allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Blood from the recipient after transplantation would include donor-derived cells and thus, genomic sequencing of recipient blood will interrogate the donor germline in addition to the somatic genetic profile of the leukemia cells and the recipient germline. This is a situation for which the donor will not have typically provided consent and may be particularly problematic if actionable secondary or incidental findings related to the donor are uncovered. We present the challenges raised in this scenario and provide strategies to mitigate this risk.

Refinements in surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy since the mid-20th century have resulted in a survival rate exceeding 90% for patients with Wilms tumor (WT). Although this figure is remarkable, a significant proportion of patients continue to have event-free survival (EFS) estimates of

Objective Compassion has long been considered a cornerstone of quality pediatric healthcare by patients, parents, healthcare providers and systems leaders. However, little dedicated research on the nature, components and delivery of compassion in pediatric settings has been conducted. This study aimed to define and develop a patient, parent, and healthcare provider informed empirical model of compassion in pediatric oncology in order to begin to delineate the key qualities, skills and behaviors of compassion within pediatric healthcare. Methods Data was collected via semi‐structured interviews with pediatric oncology patients (n = 33), parents (n = 16) and healthcare providers (n = 17) from 4 Canadian academic medical centers and was analyzed in accordance with Straussian Grounded Theory. Results Four domains and 13 related themes were identified, generating the Pediatric Compassion Model, that depicts the dimensions of compassion and their relationship to one another. A collective definition of compassion was generated–a beneficent response that seeks to address the suffering and needs of a person and their family through relational understanding, shared humanity, and action. Conclusions A patient, parent, and healthcare provider informed empirical pediatric model of compassion was generated from this study providing insight into compassion from both those who experience it and those who express it. Future research on compassion in pediatric oncology and healthcare should focus on barriers and facilitators of compassion, measure development, and intervention research aimed at equipping healthcare providers and system leaders with tools and training aimed at improving it.

PURPOSE The utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analyses has not been established in the risk stratification of Wilms tumor (WT). We evaluated the detection of ctDNA and selected risk markers in the serum and urine of patients with WT and compared findings with those of matched diagnostic tumor samples. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty of 395 children with stage III or IV WT enrolled on Children's Oncology Group trial AREN0533 had banked pretreatment serum, urine, and tumor available. Next-generation sequencing was used to detect ctDNA. Copy-number changes in 1q, 16q, and 1p, and single-nucleotide variants in serum and urine were compared with tumor biopsy data. Event-free survival (EFS) was compared between patients with and without ctDNA detection. RESULTS ctDNA was detected in the serum of 41/50 (82%) and in the urine in 13/50 (26%) patients. Agreement between serum ctDNA detection and tumor sequencing results was as follows: 77% for 1q gain, 88% for 16q deletions, and 70% for 1p deletions, with ĸ-coefficients of 0.56, 0.74, and 0.29, respectively. Sequencing also demonstrated that single-nucleotide variants detected in tumors could be identified in the ctDNA. There was a trend toward worse EFS in patients with ctDNA detected in the serum (4-year EFS 80% v 100%, P = .14). CONCLUSION ctDNA demonstrates promise as an easily accessible prognostic biomarker with potential to detect tumor heterogeneity. The observed trend toward more favorable outcome in patients with undetectable ctDNA requires validation. ctDNA profiling should be further explored as a noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic tool in the risk-adapted treatment of patients with WT.

The survival of childhood Wilms tumor is currently around 90%, with many survivors reaching reproductive age. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are established risk factors for gonadal damage and are used in both COG and SIOP Wilms tumor treatment protocols. The risk of infertility in Wilms tumor patients is low but increases with intensification of treatment including the use of alkylating agents, whole abdominal radiation or radiotherapy to the pelvis. Both COG and SIOP protocols aim to limit the use of gonadotoxic treatment, but unfortunately this cannot be avoided in all patients. Infertility is considered one of the most important late effects of childhood cancer treatment by patients and their families. Thus, timely discussion of gonadal damage risk and fertility preservation options is important. Additionally, irrespective of the choice for preservation, consultation with a fertility preservation (FP) team is associated with decreased patient and family regret and better quality of life. Current guidelines recommend early discussion of the impact of therapy on potential fertility. Since most patients with Wilms tumors are prepubertal, potential FP methods for this group are still considered experimental. There are no proven methods for FP for prepubertal males (testicular biopsy for cryopreservation is experimental), and there is just a single option for prepubertal females (ovarian tissue cryopreservation), posing both technical and ethical challenges. Identification of genetic markers of susceptibility to gonadotoxic therapy may help to stratify patient risk of gonadal damage and identify patients most likely to benefit from FP methods.

Diffuse hyperplastic perilobar nephroblastomatosis (DHPLN) represents a unique category of nephroblastomatosis. Treatment has ranged from observation to multiple regimens of chemotherapy. Wilms tumors (WTs) develop in 100% of untreated patients and between 32 and 52% of treated patients. Renal preservation rates have not been previously reported. An aim of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) study AREN0534 was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapy in preserving renal units and preventing WT development in children with DHPLN.Patients were enrolled through the COG protocol AREN03B2 with central radiological review. DHPLN was defined as the cortical surface of the kidney being composed of hyperplastic rests, with the entire nephrogenic zone involved, and with a thick rind capping all of one or both kidneys. Treatment was with vincristine and dactinomycin (regimen EE4A), with cross-sectional imaging at weeks 6 and 12. If the patient's disease was stable or decreasing, treatment was continued for 19 weeks. Renal preservation, WT development rates at 1 year, and overall survival (OS) are reported.Nine patients were enrolled (five females and four males), with a median age at enrollment of 10.22 months (range 2.92-29.11). One patient who was enrolled was deemed unevaluable because they did not meet the radiological criteria for DHPLN, resulting in eight evaluable patients. These eight patients had DHPLN confirmed via radiological criteria (all bilateral). Initial chemotherapy was EE4A for all eight patients, with seven of eight patients starting chemotherapy without tissue diagnosis.One patient who had an upfront partial nephrectomy was found to have DHPLN in the specimen and was subsequently treated with EE4A. All patients remained alive, with a median follow-up of 6.6 years (range 4.5-9.1). No patients were anephric; 14 of 16 kidneys were functioning (87.5%). Six of eight patients (75%) did not have WT on therapy, but two of these patients relapsed within 6 months of stopping therapy; both had favorable histology WT. One patient who was diagnosed with WT on therapy relapsed at 12 months (one of eight [12.5%]) and developed anaplastic histology.Chemotherapy for patients with DHPLN was effective in preserving kidney function. Five-year OS is excellent, however the ideal type and duration of chemotherapy to prevent WT development remains elusive.

PURPOSE Phase I trials are a crucial step in the evaluation of new cancer therapies. Historically, low rates of response (5%) and comparably high rates of death from toxicities (0.5%) have contributed to debates on the ethics and orientation of these trials. With the introduction of novel targeted therapies, a contemporary estimate is needed. METHODS We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov for reports of phase I oncology trials of single-agent targeted immunomodulators, molecularly targeted therapies, and antiangiogenic agents, published between January 2015 and July 2018. Adult and pediatric trials of solid and hematological malignancies were eligible. Treatment-related adverse events (grades 3, 4, and 5) and response rates (objective, complete, and partial) were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS One hundred and fifty-eight trial reports, covering 6,707 patients, were included. The rate of treatment-related deaths was 0.0% (95% CI, 0.0 to 0.1), while 13.2% of patients (9.5 to 17.3) experienced a grade 3 or 4 treatment-related toxicity. The combined objective response rate was 6.4% (4.6 to 8.5). Among trials using tumor biomarkers as eligibility criteria, the objective response rate was higher (12.0% [7.3 to 17.6] compared to 4.9% [2.5 to 5.7], P value < .01). The same was true of trials focusing on a single tumor type (13.4% [8.2 to 19.4]) compared to multiple tumor types (3.8% [2.5 to 5.3], P value < .01). CONCLUSION Reduced grade 5 risk and improved benefit appears to exist in modern phase I oncology trials, particularly in trials that target single tumor types and integrate biomarkers as eligibility criteria. These findings provide information to support informed consent discussions, highlight the need for improved reporting of phase I oncology trials, and provide direction for optimizing their design.

Over the last decade, sequencing of primary tumors has clarified the genetic underpinnings of Wilms tumor but has not affected therapy, outcome, or toxicity. We now sharpen our focus on relapse samples from the umbrella AREN03B2 study. We show that over 40% of relapse samples contain mutations in SIX1 or genes of the MYCN network, drivers of progenitor proliferation. Not previously seen in large studies of primary Wilms tumors, DIS3 and TERT are now identified as recurrently mutated. The analysis of primary-relapse tumor pairs suggests that 11p15 loss of heterozygosity (and other copy number changes) and mutations in WT1 and MLLT1 typically occur early, but mutations in SIX1, MYCN, and WTX are late developments in some individuals. Most strikingly, 75% of relapse samples had gain of 1q, providing strong conceptual support for studying circulating tumor DNA in clinical trials to better detect 1q gain earlier and monitor response.

To the authors' knowledge, AREN0321 is the first prospective clinical study of pediatric and adolescent renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Goals of the study included establishing epidemiological, treatment, and outcome data and confirming that patients with completely resected pediatric RCC, including lymph node-positive disease (N1), have a favorable prognosis without adjuvant therapy.From 2006 to 2012, patients aged30 years with centrally reviewed pathology of RCC were enrolled prospectively.A total of 68 patients were enrolled (39 of whom were male; median age of 13 years [range, 0.17-22.1 years]). Stage was classified according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM stage seventh edition as stage I in 26 patients, stage II in 7 patients, stage III in 26 patients, and stage IV in 8 patients, and was not available in 1 patient. Sixty patients underwent resection of all known sites of disease, including 2 patients with stage IV disease. Surgery included radical nephrectomy (53 patients [81.5%]), partial nephrectomy (12 patients [18.5%]), and unknown (3 patients [4.4%]). Histology was TFE-associated RCC (translocation-type RCC; tRCC) in 40 patients, RCC not otherwise specified and/or other in 13 patients, papillary RCC in 9 patients, and renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) in 6 patients. Lymph node status was N0 in 21 patients, N1 in 21 patients (tRCC in 15 patients, RMC in 3 patients, papillary RCC in 2 patients, and not otherwise specified and/or other in 1 patient), and Nx in 26 patients. The 4-year event-free survival and overall survival rates were 80.2% (95% CI, 69.6%-90.9%) and 84.8% (95% CI, 75.2%-94.5%), respectively, overall and 87.5% (95% CI, 68.3%-100%) and 87.1% (95% CI, 67.6%-100%), respectively, for the 16 patients with N1M0 disease. Among patients presenting with metastases, 2 of 8 patients (2 of 5 patients with RMC) were alive (1 with disease) at the time of last follow-up, including 1 patient who was lost to follow-up (succinate dehydrogenase deficiency). The predominant RCC subtypes associated with mortality were tRCC and RMC.Favorable short-term outcomes can be achieved without adjuvant therapy in children and adolescents with completely resected RCC, independent of lymph node status. A prospective study of patients with tRCC and RMC with M1 or recurrent disease is needed to optimize treatment.

PURPOSE AREN0321 evaluated the activity of vincristine and irinotecan (VI) in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumor (DAWT) and whether a regimen containing carboplatin (regimen UH1) in addition to regimen I agents used in the National Wilms Tumor Study 5 (NWTS-5; vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide plus radiotherapy) would improve patient outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with stage II to IV DAWT without measurable disease received regimen UH1. Patients with stage IV measurable disease were eligible to receive VI (vincristine, 1.5 mg/m2 per day intravenously on days 1 and 8; irinotecan, 20 mg/m2 per day intravenously on days 1-5 and 8-12 of a 21-day cycle) in an upfront window; those with complete (CR) or partial response (PR) had VI incorporated into regimen UH1 (regimen UH2). The study was designed to detect improvement in outcomes of patients with stage II to IV DAWT compared with historical controls treated with regimen I. RESULTS Sixty-six eligible patients were enrolled. Of 14 patients with stage IV measurable disease who received VI, 11 (79%) achieved CR (n = 1) or PR (n = 10) after 2 cycles. Doses of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide were reduced midstudy because of nonhematologic toxicity. Four patients (6%) died as a result of toxicity. Four-year event-free survival, relapse-free survival, and overall survival rates were 67.7% (95% CI, 55.9% to 79.4%), 72.9% (95% CI, 61.5% to 84.4%), and 73.7% (95% CI, 62.7% to 84.8%), respectively, compared with 57.5% (95% CI, 47.6% to 67.4%; P = .26), 57.5% (95% CI, 47.6% to 67.4%; P = .048), and 59.2% (95% CI, 49.4% to 69.0%; P = .08), respectively, in NWTS-5. CONCLUSION VI produced a high response rate in patients with metastatic DAWT. AREN0321 treatment seemed to improve outcomes for patients with stage II to IV DAWT compared with NWTS-5, but with increased toxicity. The UH2 regimen warrants further investigation with modifications to reduce toxicity.

OBJECTIVE. Distinguishing nephrogenic rests from small Wilms tumors can be challenging. This retrospective study was performed to determine if imaging characteristics can be used to distinguish nephrogenic rests from Wilms tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS. All cases of pathologically confirmed nephrogenic rests and Wilms tumors smaller than 5 cm in maximum dimension on imaging in patients younger than 5 years old were identified from the Children’s Oncology Group AREN03B2 study (July 2006–August 2016). Exclusion criteria were chemotherapy before pathologic evaluation or more than 30 days between imaging and surgery; in addition, patients with nephrogenic rests occurring within or juxtaposed to a Wilms tumor and patients with diffuse hyperplastic perilobar nephroblastomatosis were excluded. Two radiologists who were blinded to pathology results assessed all lesions. The two-sample t test was used for continuous variables, and the Fisher exact test was used for categoric variables. ROC analysis was performed to determine the optimal size cutoff for distinguishing between nephrogenic rests and Wilms tumors. RESULTS. Thirty-one pathologically confirmed rests (20 perilobar, 11 intralobar) and 26 Wilms tumors smaller than 5 cm met the eligibility criteria for study inclusion. The median diameter of the nephrogenic rests was 1.3 cm (range, 0.7–3.4 cm) and the median diameter of the Wilms tumor was 3.2 cm (range, 1.8–4.9 cm) (p < 0.001). Imaging findings supportive of Wilms tumors were spherical (p < 0.001) and exophytic (p < 0.001) lesions. Perilobar rests (17/20) were more likely to be homogeneous than intralobar rests (3/11) or Wilms tumor (3/26) (p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that the optimal size cutoff for distinguishing between nephrogenic rests and Wilms tumors was 1.75 cm. CONCLUSION. In children younger than 5 years old, the diagnosis of a Wilms tumor should be favored over a nephrogenic rest when a renal mass is spherical, exophytic, or larger than 1.75 cm. Homogeneity favors the diagnosis of perilobar nephrogenic rests, whereas intralobar rests and Wilms tumors are more likely to be inhomogeneous.

Progressive cytopenia is a serious complication among paediatric patients with inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS). Androgens have been used to improve blood counts in different bone marrow failure conditions. Little is known about efficacy and toxicity with new androgens (i.e., danazol) in different types of IBMFS. We identified 29 patients from the Canadian Inherited Marrow Failure Registry, who received oxymetholone or danazol. Sixteen (55%) had haematological response including patients with unclassified IBMFS (45%). Danazol showed a better toxicity profile and similar efficacy compared to oxymetholone. Androgens are an effective and safe option to ameliorate bone marrow failure in IBMFS.

Pediatric and adolescent renal tumors account for approximately 7% of all new cancer diagnoses in the USA each year. The prognosis and treatment are varied based on factors including the underlying histology and tumor stage, with survival rates ranging from greater than 90% in favorable histology Wilms tumor to almost universally fatal in other disease types, including those patients with advanced stage malignant rhabdoid tumor and renal medullary carcinoma. In recent years, our understanding of the underlying genetic drivers of the different types of pediatric kidney cancer has dramatically increased, opening the door to utilization of new targeted biologic agents alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy to improve outcomes. Several ongoing clinical trials are investigating the use of a variety of targeted agents in pediatric patients with underlying genetic aberrations. In this manuscript, the underlying biology and early phase clinical trials relevant to pediatric renal cancers are reviewed.

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common and distressing psychosocial concern for adult cancer survivors. Data on this construct in child survivors is limited and there are no validated measures for this population. This study aimed to adapt the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form (FCRI-SF) for survivors of childhood cancer aged 8-18 years (Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Child version [FCRI-C]) and their parents (Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Parent version [FCRI-P]) to self-report on their own FCR and to examine the initial psychometric properties.The FCRI-SF was adapted through expert panel input and cognitive interviews with child survivors18 years. The factor structure, internal consistency and construct and criterion validity of the FCRI-C and FCRI-P were examined in 124 survivors of childhood cancer (43% female; MAll FCRI-SF items were retained for the FCRI-C with simplified language. The internal consistencies of the FCRI-C (α = 0.88) and FCRI-P (α = 0.83) were good. Exploratory factor analyses yielded one-factor structures for both measures. Higher scores on the FCRI-C and FCRI-P were associated with greater intolerance of uncertainty and pain catastrophizing. Higher child FCR was also related to more hypervigilance to bodily symptoms. Parents with higher FCR reported contacting their child's doctors and nurses and scheduling medical appointments for their child more frequently. Children reported significantly lower FCR compared to parents.The FCRI-C and FCRI-P demonstrated strong reliability and preliminary validity. This study offers preliminary data to support the use of the FCRI-C and FCRI-P to measure FCR in survivors of childhood cancer aged 8-18 years and their parents.

Introduction Due to bone fragility, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a 6-fold greater fracture risk during therapy compared to peers. Osteoporotic fractures are a concern, as they lead to adverse health outcomes including pain, loss of height due to vertebral deformity, and (transient) disability. In previous studies, lower lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS BMD) at ALL diagnosis was found to be prognostic for the occurrence of future fractures. However, routinely performing dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in each newly diagnosed child is not universally feasible. The aim of this study is to develop and validate an easy to use clinical risk prediction model for low lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS BMD Z-score ≤-2.0) at diagnosis, as an important indicator for fracture risk and further treatment-related BMD aggravation. Methods Children treated for ALL according to the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group (DCOG-ALL9; model development) protocol (n=249; median age: 7.6 years [range: 4.0-16.6 years]) and children from the Canadian STeroid-Associated Osteoporosis in the Pediatric Population (STOPP; model validation) cohort (n=99; median age: 7.3 years [range: 4.0-16.6 years]) were included in this study. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to develop the prediction model for low LS BMD at diagnosis, defined as a Z-score ≤-2.0 (evaluated with DXA). Candidate predictors included sex, age, height and weight Z-scores at diagnosis of ALL. The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) was assessed for model performance. To confirm the association between low LS BMD at diagnosis and bone fragility during and shortly following ALL therapy, we performed multivariable logistic regression analyses. The dependent variables were: one or more symptomatic fractures from ALL diagnosis to 12 months following treatment cessation and low LS BMD at cessation of treatment. In addition, because of homogeneity in the intended glucocorticoid doses, we combined data from the DCOG-ALL9 and STOPP cohorts and performed multivariable pooled cohort analyses (meta-analysis). Potential associations between the six-month cumulative glucocorticoid dose and fractures that occurred in the first year of therapy, were explored. Furthermore, we assessed potential associations between the cumulative glucocorticoid dose at cessation of therapy, and the endpoints 'low LS BMD at therapy cessation' and 'fractures that occurred during treatment and within 12 months following treatment cessation'. Results The prediction model for low LS BMD at diagnosis included weight Z-scores (β = -0.70) and age (β = -0.10) at diagnosis. This model had an AUC of 0.71 (0.63 to 0.78) in the DCOG-ALL9 cohort, and resulted in correct identification of 71% of patients with low LS BMD at ALL diagnosis. Validation on the STOPP cohort showed an AUC of 0.74 (95% CI = 0.63 to 0.84). To calculate the probability of low LS BMD at ALL diagnosis for an individual patient, an online calculator is available at http://lsbmd-risk-calculator.azurewebsites.net/ We confirmed that low LS BMD at diagnosis is associated with LS BMD at treatment cessation (OR = 5.9; 95% CI = 3.2 to 10.9) and with symptomatic fractures (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.3 to 2.4) that occurred from diagnosis until 12 months following treatment cessation. In pooled meta-analysis, lower LS BMD at diagnosis (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1 to 2.4) and six-month cumulative glucocorticoid dose (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1 to 3.3, for every gram increase) were associated with symptomatic fractures that occurred in the first year of therapy. Higher cumulative glucocorticoid dose at cessation of therapy (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.2 to 2.0, for every gram increase), lower LS BMD Z-scores at diagnosis (OR = 7.9, 95% CI = 4.8 to 13.1) and higher age at diagnosis (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.4 to 1.8), were associated with low LS BMD at cessation of therapy. Conclusion We developed and successfully validated a risk prediction model for low LSBMD at diagnosis in children aged 4-18 years with ALL. This is important because low LS BMD at diagnosis was strongly associated with bone fragility and fractures during and shortly following treatment for ALL. Our easy to use prediction model, can facilitate awareness and early identification of bone fragility in individual pediatric ALL patients, without performing DXA examination. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Wilms tumour (WT) is a childhood embryonal tumour that is paradigmatic of the intersection between disrupted organogenesis and tumorigenesis. Many WT genes play a critical (non-redundant) role in early nephrogenesis. Improving patient outcomes requires advances in understanding and targeting of the multiple genes and cellular control pathways now identified as active in WT development. Decades of clinical and basic research have helped to gradually optimize clinical care. Curative therapy is achievable in 90% of affected children, even those with disseminated disease, yet survival disparities within and between countries exist and deserve commitment to change. Updated epidemiological studies have also provided novel insights into global incidence variations. Introduction of biology-driven approaches to risk stratification and new drug development has been slower in WT than in other childhood tumours. Current prognostic classification for children with WT is grounded in clinical and pathological findings and in dedicated protocols on molecular alterations. Treatment includes conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy and surgery, and radiation therapy in some cases. Advanced imaging to capture tumour composition, optimizing irradiation techniques to reduce target volumes, and evaluation of newer surgical procedures are key areas for future research.

Importance Prompt recognition of a child with a cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS) has implications for cancer management, surveillance, genetic counseling, and cascade testing of relatives. Diagnosis of CPS requires practitioner expertise, access to genetic testing, and test result interpretation. This diagnostic process is not accessible in all institutions worldwide, leading to missed CPS diagnoses. Advances in electronic health technology can facilitate CPS risk assessment. Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a CPS prediction tool (McGill Interactive Pediatric OncoGenetic Guidelines [MIPOGG]) in identifying children with cancer who have a low or high likelihood of having a CPS. Design, Setting, and Participants In this international, multicenter diagnostic accuracy study, 1071 pediatric (

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on access to health care resources. Our objective was to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of childhood cancer in Canada. We also aimed to compare the proportion of patients who enrolled in clinical trials at diagnosis, presented with metastatic disease or had an early death during the first 9 months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with previous years. Methods: We conducted an observational study that included children younger than 15 years with a new diagnosis of cancer between March 2016 and November 2020 at 1 of 17 Canadian pediatric oncology centres. Our primary outcome was the monthly age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) of cancers. We evaluated level and trend changes using interventional autoregressive integrated moving average models. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients who were enrolled in a clinical trial, who had metastatic or advanced disease and who died within 30 days. We compared the baseline and pandemic periods using rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Age-standardized incidence rates during COVID-19 quarters were 157.7, 164.6, and 148.0 per million, respectively, whereas quarterly baseline ASIRs ranged between 150.3 and 175.1 per million (incidence RR 0.93 [95% CI 0.78 to 1.12] to incidence RR 1.04 [95% CI 0.87 to 1.24]). We found no statistically significant level or slope changes between the projected and observed ASIRs for all new cancers (parameter estimate [β], level 4.98, 95% CI −15.1 to 25.04, p = 0.25), or when stratified by cancer type or by geographic area. Clinical trial enrolment rate was stable or increased during the pandemic compared with baseline (RR 1.22 [95% CI 0.70 to 2.13] to RR 1.71 [95% CI 1.01 to 2.89]). There was no difference in the proportion of patients with metastatic disease (RR 0.84 [95% CI 0.55 to 1.29] to RR 1.22 [0.84 to 1.79]), or who died within 30 days (RR 0.16 [95% CI 0.01 to 3.04] to RR 1.73 [95% CI 0.38 to 15.2]). Interpretation: We did not observe a statistically significant change in the incidence of childhood cancer, or in the proportion of children enrolling in a clinical trial, presenting with metastatic disease or who died early during the first 9 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, which suggests that access to health care in pediatric oncology was not reduced substantially in Canada.

The congenital sideroblastic anemias (CSAs) are a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders of erythropoiesis characterized by pathologic deposits of iron in the mitochondria of developing erythroblasts. Mutations in the mitochondrial glycine carrier SLC25A38 cause the most common recessive form of CSA. Nonetheless, the disease is still rare, there being fewer than 70 reported families. Here we describe the clinical phenotype and genotypes of 31 individuals from 24 families, including 11 novel mutations. We also review the spectrum of reported mutations and genotypes associated with the disease, describe the unique localization of missense mutations in transmembrane domains and account for the reoccurrence of several alleles in different populations.

Cancer and its treatment can have lasting consequences on somatosensation, including pain, which is often underrecognized and undertreated. Research characterizing the impact of cancer on pain and sensory processing in survivors of childhood cancer is scarce. This study aimed to quantify generalized differences in pain and sensory processing in survivors of childhood cancer compared with reference data using a standardized thermal and mechanical quantitative sensory testing (QST) protocol. The association between demographic, clinical (eg, leukemia vs other cancers and treatment exposures), and psychosocial (eg, anxiety and pain catastrophizing) variables and sensitivity to pain and sensory stimuli were also evaluated. Participants were 56 survivors of various types of childhood cancer (52% male, Mage = 13.5 years, SD = 3.2, range = 8-17 years). On average, children were 7 years (SD = 4.1, range = 1.2-16.5) post treatment. Almost all participants (86%) had at least 1 abnormal QST parameter compared with age- and sex-matched reference data; however, few participants self-reported the presence of sensory abnormalities. Generally, participants exhibited reduced sensitivity across the QST parameters examined (Ps < 0.05, ds = 0.40-3.45). A significant minority (45%) also exhibited pain sensitization (P

Background In the fifth National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS-5), the 4-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) estimates for 29 patients with stage I focal (n = 10) or diffuse (n = 19) anaplastic Wilms' tumour (AWT) treated with vincristine and dactinomycin without flank radiation were 69.5% and 82.6%, respectively. The Children's Oncology Group AREN0321 study evaluated whether adding doxorubicin and flank radiation improves survival for these patients. Patients and methods Tumour histology and stage were confirmed by real-time central pathology, surgery and radiology review. The patients received 25 weeks of vincristine, dactinomycin and doxorubicin (cumulative dose 150 mg/m2) with flank radiation (1080 cGy). We retrospectively analysed outcomes of all patients with stage I AWT enrolled in NWTSs 1–5 and AREN0321 with respect to treatment regimens. Results Eighteen patients with stage I AWT (8 focal and 10 diffuse) were enrolled on AREN0321. With a median follow-up of 4.6 years, the 4-year EFS and OS were 100%. One patient with diffuse AWT had pulmonary relapse 4.12 years after diagnosis. In the 112 patients with stage I AWT treated in NWTSs 1–5 and AREN0321, the EFS was significantly improved with doxorubicin treatment (p = 0.01; 4-year EFS: 97.2% [95% confidence interval {CI}: 91.3–100] vs. 77.5% [95% CI: 67.6–87.4]) but not by flank radiation (p = 0.15). Conclusions Treatment of stage I AWT with vincristine, dactinomycin, doxorubicin and flank radiation in AREN0321 yielded excellent survival outcomes. Retrospective analysis of AREN0321 and NWTS patients suggests that doxorubicin had a greater contribution to the excellent outcomes than radiation.

Objective Today, more than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer are expected to survive. Despite the high prevalence of pain associated with the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer, there is a limited understanding of how having cancer shapes children's experience and meaning of pain after treatment has ended. This study addresses this gap by exploring childhood cancer survivors' (CCS') experiences of pain from their perspective and the perspective of their parents. Methods Twenty semi-structured interviews were completed with CCS (50% female; mean age = 13.20 y, range = 8-17 y) and their parents (90% mothers). Data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results Analyses revealed three superordinate themes present in the data: (a) pain is a changed experience after childhood cancer; (b) new or ambiguous pains may be interpreted by CCS and parents as a threat of disease recurrence, late effects, or a secondary cancer; and (c) pain interpretation occurs within the broader context of how CCS and parents appraise their cancer experience. Parents generally appraised their child's cancer and pain as more threatening and were influential in guiding their child's interpretations. Conclusions The cancer experience played an important role in shaping CCS' and their parents' experience and interpretation of pain in survivorship. This study provides novel data to inform the development and refinement of new and existing conceptual models of pain and symptom perception after cancer. The results also point to key areas for future investigation and clinical intervention to address the issue of pain in cancer survivorship.

Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is one of the most aggressive renal cell carcinomas. It predominantly afflicts young adults and adolescents with sickle cell trait and other sickle hemoglobinopathies, and is refractory to targeted and antiangiogenic therapies used in patients with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. Platinum-based cytotoxic chemotherapy is the mainstay for RMC treatment. On the basis of recent advances in the diagnosis, management, and clinical trial development for RMC, a panel of experts met in October 2017 and developed updated consensus recommendations to inform clinicians, researchers, and patients. Because RMC often aggressively recurs while patients are still recovering from nephrectomy, upfront chemotherapy should be considered for most patients, including those with localized disease. After safety and dosing information has been established in adults, phase II and III trials enrolling patients with RMC should allow patients aged 12 years and older to be accrued. Patients with the very rare unclassified renal cell carcinoma with medullary phenotype variant should be included in RMC trials. Medical providers should be aware that RMC can afflict subjects of all races, and not only those of African descent, and that the presence of sickle cell trait, or of other sickle hemoglobinopathies, can affect drug responses and toxicity.

Importance Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can inform healthcare decisions, regulatory decisions, and healthcare policy, and also can be used for audit/benchmarking and to monitor symptoms and provide timely care tailored to individual needs. However, several ethical issues have been raised in relation to PRO use. Objective To develop an international, consensus-based, PRO-specific ethical guidelines for clinical research.Evidence ReviewThe PRO ethics guidelines were developed following the Enhancing Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) Network’s guideline development framework. This included a systematic review of the ethical implications of PROs in clinical research. The databases MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, AMED and CINAHL were searched from inception until May 2020. The keywords ‘patient reported outcome*’ and ‘ethic*’ were used to search the databases. Two reviewers independently conducted title and abstract screening before full-text screening to determine eligibility. The review was supplemented by the SPIRIT-PRO Extension recommendations for trial protocol. Subsequently, a two-round international Delphi process (n=96 participants; May and August 2021) and a consensus meeting (n=25 international participants; October 2021) were held. Prior to voting, consensus meeting participants were provided with a summary of the Delphi process results and information on whether the items aligned with existing ethical guidance.Findings Twenty-three items were considered in the first round of the Delphi process: six relevant candidate items from the systematic review and seventeen additional items drawn from the SPIRIT-PRO Extension. Ninety-six international participants voted on the relevant importance of each item for inclusion in ethical guidelines and twelve additional items were recommended for inclusion in round 2 of the Delphi (35 items in total). Fourteen items were recommended for inclusion at the consensus meeting (n=25 participants). The final wording of the PRO ethical guidelines was agreed by consensus meeting participants with input from six additional individuals. Included items focused on PRO-specific ethical issues relating to research rationale, objectives, eligibility requirements, PRO concepts/domains, PRO assessment schedules, sample size, PRO data monitoring, barriers to PRO completion, participant acceptability and burden, administration of PRO questionnaires for participants who are unable to self-report PRO data, input on PRO strategy by patient partners or members of the public, avoiding missing data and dissemination plans. Conclusions and Relevance The PRO ethics guidelines provide recommendations for ethical issues that should be addressed in PRO clinical research. Addressing ethical issues of PRO clinical research has the potential to ensure high-quality PRO data while minimising participant risk, burden and harm and protecting participant and researcher welfare.

Clinical research involving child participants frequently raises both legal and ethical concerns that researchers, clinicians, and parents must navigate to pursue relevant pediatric-centered investigation in health and particularly in cancer care. The foundational ethico-legal principles governing research participation provide the necessary frameworks with which to evaluate how emerging genetic technologies can serve current and future childhood cancer research. Taking the best interests of the child as the primary consideration in all decisions affecting a child, this chapter explores issues regarding consent/assent and return of results in pediatric oncology research. With a primary focus on Canada, the USA, and Europe, we examine the issues presented by the use of next-generation sequencing, pharmacogenomics, and biobanking and data sharing in international consortia.

Asparaginase (ASNase) is an effective treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Changes in ASNase activity may lead to suboptimal treatment and poorer outcomes. The gut microbiome produces metabolites that could impact ASNase therapy, however, remains uninvestigated. We examined gut-microbial community and microbial-ASNase and asparagine synthetase (ASNS) genes using 16SrRNA and metagenomic sequence data from stool samples of pediatric ALL patients. Comparing ASNase activity between consecutive ASNase-doses, we found microbial communities differed between decreased- and increased-activity samples. Escherichia predominated in the decreased-activity community while Bacteroides and Streptococcus predominated in the increased-activity community. In addition microbial ASNS was significantly (p=.004) negatively correlated with change in serum ASNase activity. These preliminary findings suggest microbial communities prior to treatment could affect serum ASNase levels, although the mechanism is unknown. Replication in an independent cohort is needed, and future research on manipulation of these communities and genes could prove useful in optimizing ASNase therapy.

Objective—This paper presents findings from a quality assessment of deliberative stakeholder consultations with healthcare professionals in Canada on the implementation of a precision diagnostic for life-threatening pediatric brain tumors. Background—Advanced understanding of the basic biology and pharmacogenomics of pediatric brain tumors portend a clinical future in which oncologists base their clinical decisions in large part on results from laboratory derived tests (LDT) using next generation sequencing. Less is known, however, about how interprofessional healthcare teams perceive the opportunities and challenges of adopting LDTs in clinical practice, or how to best communicate LDT results to pediatric patients and their families. Deliberative stakeholder consultations present a promising alternative to traditional deliberative democratic methods. They allow researchers to unveil normative ethical and social values underpinning a forthcoming policy or new standard of care from the perspectives of key stakeholder groups, as well as make practical recommendations relevant for implementation.Methods—Using the DeVries framework for assessing the quality of deliberative process and information, we analyzed data from 44 post-consultation evaluation surveys from pediatric oncology and palliative care teams at two tertiary pediatric healthcare centers in Canada. Medians/means based on a 10-point Likert scale are reported. We also conducted turn-taking analysis and word-contribution analysis from the text transcriptions of each deliberation to assess equality of participation.Results—Deliberants agreed the quality of the deliberative process was fair (averages ranging from 9-10/10) and the opportunities to both receive expert information and discuss with others about the implementation of a new LDT were helpful (9.5/10). While the session improved understanding of the implementation barriers and opportunities, the session had marginal effects on deliberants’ perceived impact on their own clinical practice where median ratings ranged from 3-10/10. Participation was proportionate in at least four of the six deliberations, where no deliberant took more than 20% of total turns and contributed equal to, or less than 20% of total words.Conclusion—The quality assessments performed lend evidence to the informational value and overall fairness of the deliberative process achieved in this study to identify implementation and communication needs of healthcare professionals at the point when LDTs become standard for diagnosing life-threatening brain tumors in children.

Background Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare hyperinflammatory immuneregulatory disorder, is a challenge in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) because of the high rate of mixed chimerism, relapse, and graft failure (GF) unless intensive myeloablative regimens are used. However, historically conventional myeloablative regimens (conv MA) are associated with high toxicity and mortality. Procedure We retrospectively compared transplant outcomes between three preparative regimens of varying intensities: Conv MA (n = 15), reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC, n = 12), and a treosulfan-based reduced-toxicity conditioning (RTC, n = 9). Results Patients in the RIC cohort had a higher incidence of mixed donor chimerism and five patients (42%) developed secondary GF (P = .002) compared to the other two regimens. There was a higher incidence of veno-occlusive disease and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in the Conv MA cohort. With the RTC regimen, there was a similar 2-year overall survival (89, 73, and 83%; P = .87), but improved compound EFS (lack of relapse, GF, second transplant or additional donor cell infusions, or death; 89, 73, and 42%, P = .041) in RTC, Conv MA, and RIC regimen, respectively. Conclusions The intensity of the preparative regimen has a significant impact on outcome of HSCT for HLH. The newly described treosulfan-based RTC provides for a stable graft with a reasonable toxicity profile.

IntroductionPain negatively affects the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of adolescents with cancer. The Pain Squad+ smartphone-based application (app), has been developed to provide adolescents with real-time pain self-management support. The app uses a validated pain assessment and personalised pain treatment advice with centralised decision support via a registered nurse to enable real-time pain treatment in all settings. The algorithm informing pain treatment advice is evidence-based and expert-vetted. This trial will longitudinally evaluate the impact of Pain Squad+, with or without the addition of nurse support, on adolescent health and cost outcomes.Methods and analysisThis will be a pragmatic, multicentre, waitlist controlled, 3-arm parallel-group superiority randomised trial with 1:1:1 allocation enrolling 74 adolescents with cancer per arm from nine cancer centres. Participants will be 12 to 18 years, English-speaking and with ≥3/10 pain. Exclusion criteria are significant comorbidities, end-of-life status or enrolment in a concurrent pain study. The primary aim is to determine the effect of Pain Squad+, with and without nurse support, on pain intensity in adolescents with cancer, when compared with a waitlist control group. The secondary aims are to determine the immediate and sustained effect over time of using Pain Squad+, with and without nurse support, as per prospective outcome measurements of pain interference, HRQL, pain self-efficacy and cost. Linear mixed models with baseline scores as a covariate will be used. Qualitative interviews with adolescents from all trial arms will be conducted and analysed.Ethics and disseminationThis trial is approved by the Hospital for Sick Children Research Ethics Board. Results will provide data to guide adolescents with cancer and healthcare teams in treating pain. Dissemination will occur through partnerships with stakeholder groups, scientific meetings, publications, mass media releases and consumer detailing.Trial registration numberNCT03632343(ClinicalTrials.gov).

Inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFSs) are genetically heterogeneous disorders with cytopenia. Many IBMFSs also feature physical malformations and an increased risk of cancer. Point mutations can be identified in about half of patients. Copy number variation (CNVs) have been reported; however, the frequency and spectrum of CNVs are unknown. Unfortunately, current genome-wide methods have major limitations since they may miss small CNVs or may have low sensitivity due to low read depths. Herein, we aimed to determine whether reanalysis of NGS panel data by normalized coverage value could identify CNVs and characterize them. To address this aim, DNA from IBMFS patients was analyzed by a NGS panel assay of known IBMFS genes. After analysis for point mutations, heterozygous and homozygous CNVs were searched by normalized read coverage ratios and specific thresholds. Of the 258 tested patients, 91 were found to have pathogenic point variants. NGS sample data from 165 patients without pathogenic point mutations were re-analyzed for CNVs; 10 patients were found to have deletions. Diamond Blackfan anemia genes most commonly exhibited heterozygous deletions, and included RPS19, RPL11, and RPL5. A diagnosis of GATA2-related disorder was made in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome who was found to have a heterozygous GATA2 deletion. Importantly, homozygous FANCA deletion were detected in a patient who could not be previously assigned a specific syndromic diagnosis. Lastly, we identified compound heterozygousity for deletions and pathogenic point variants in RBM8A and PARN genes. All deletions were validated by orthogonal methods. We conclude that careful analysis of normalized coverage values can detect CNVs in NGS panels and should be considered as a standard practice prior to do further investigations.

Purpose The National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS) treatment of favorable histology Wilms tumor with lung metastases was vincristine/dactinomycin/doxorubicin (DD4A) and lung radiation therapy (RT). The AREN0533 study applied a new risk stratification and treatment strategy to improve event-free survival (EFS) while reducing exposure to lung RT. Methods Patients with favorable histology Wilms tumor and isolated lung metastases showing complete lung nodule response (CR) after 6 weeks of DD4A continued receiving chemotherapy without lung RT. Patients with incomplete response (IR) or loss of heterozygosity at chromosomes 1p/16q received lung RT and four cycles of cyclophosphamide/etoposide in addition to DD4A drugs (Regimen M). AREN0533 was designed to preserve a 4-year EFS of 85% for lung nodule CR and improve 4-year EFS from 75% to 85% for lung nodule IR. Results Among 292 assessable patients, 133 had CR and 159 had IR. For patients with CR, 4-year EFS and overall survival (OS) estimates were 79.5% (95% CI, 71.2% to 87.8%) and 96.1% (95% CI, 92.1% to 100%), respectively. Expected versus observed event rates were 15% and 20.2% ( P = .052), respectively. For patients with IR, 4-year EFS and OS estimates were 88.5% (95% CI, 81.8% to 95.3%) and 95.4% (95% CI, 90.9% to 99.8%), respectively. Expected versus observed event rates were 25% and 12.2% ( P < .001), respectively. Overall, 4-year EFS and OS were 85.4% (95% CI, 80.5% to 90.2%) and 95.6% (95% CI, 92.8% to 98.4%) compared with 72.5% (95% CI, 66.9% to 78.1%; P < .001) and 84.0% (95% CI, 79.4% to 88.6%; P < .001), respectively, in the predecessor NWTS-5 study. Conclusion Excellent OS was achieved after omission of primary lung RT in patients with lung nodule CR, although there were more events than expected. EFS was significantly improved, with excellent OS, in patients with lung nodule IR using four cycles of cyclophosphamide/etoposide in addition to DD4A drugs. The overall AREN0533 treatment strategy yielded EFS and OS estimates that were superior to previous studies.

Diagnostic genome-wide sequencing (exome or genome sequencing and data analysis for high-penetrance disease-causing variants) in acutely ill infants appears to be clinically useful, but the value of this diagnostic test should be rigorously demonstrated before it is accepted as a standard of care. This white paper was developed by the Paediatric Task Team of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health's Regulatory and Ethics Work Stream to address the question of how we can determine the clinical value of genome-wide sequencing in infants in an intensive care setting. After reviewing available clinical and ethics literature on this question, we conclude that evaluating diagnostic genome-wide sequencing as a comprehensive scan for major genetic disease (rather than as a large panel of single-gene tests) provides a practical approach to assessing its clinical value in acutely ill infants. Comparing the clinical value of diagnostic genome-wide sequencing to chromosomal microarray analysis, the current evidence-based standard of care, per case of serious genetic disease diagnosed provides a practical means of assessing clinical value. Scientifically rigorous studies of this kind are needed to determine if clinical genome-wide sequencing should be established as a standard of care supported by healthcare systems and insurers for diagnosis of genetic disease in seriously ill newborn infants.

Osteoporotic fractures are a significant cause of morbidity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our objective was to determine the incidence and predictors of fractures and recovery from osteoporosis in pediatric ALL over 6 years following glucocorticoid initiation. Vertebral fractures (VF) and vertebral body reshaping were assessed on annual spine radiographs, low-trauma non-VF were recorded at regular intervals and spine bone mineral density (BMD) was captured every 6 months for 4 years and then annually. A total of 186 children with ALL were enrolled (median age 5.3 years; range, 1.3 to 17.0 years). The cumulative fracture incidence was 32.5% for VF and 23.0% for non-VF; 39.0% of children with VF were asymptomatic. No fractures occurred in the sixth year and 71.3% of incident fractures occurred in the first 2 years. Baseline VF, cumulative glucocorticoid dose, and baseline lumbar spine (LS) BMD Z-score predicted both VF and non-VF. Vertebral body reshaping following VF was incomplete or absent in 22.7% of children. Those with residual vertebral deformity following VF were older compared to those without (median age 8.0 years at baseline [interquartile range {IQR}, 5.5 to 9.4] versus 4.8 years [IQR, 3.6 to 6.2], p = 0.04) and had more severe vertebral collapse (median maximum spinal deformity index 3.5 [IQR, 1.0 to 8.0] versus 0.5 [IQR, 0.0 to 1.0], p = 0.01). VF and low LS BMD Z-score at baseline as well as glucocorticoid exposure predicted incident VF and non-VF. Nearly 25% of children had persistent vertebral deformity following VF, more frequent in older children, and in those with more severe collapse. These results suggest the need for trials addressing interventions in the first 2 years of chemotherapy, targeting older children and children with more severe vertebral collapse, because these children are at greatest risk for incident VF and subsequent residual vertebral deformity. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Pain is a common and distressing symptom of pediatric cancer, as reported by both children and their parents. Increasingly, children with cancer are cared for as outpatients, yet little is known about how parents manage their cancer-related pain. The aim of the current study was to examine pain prevalence and characteristics, and the pharmacological, physical, and psychological pain management strategies used by parents to manage their child's cancer pain.In total, 230 parents and caregivers (89% mothers) of children (mean age=8.93 y, SD=4.50) with cancer currently in treatment or who are survivors completed an online survey about their child's pain in the preceding month.Results indicated that children with cancer who were on active treatment and who were posttreatment experienced clinically significant levels of pain. Parents reported using more physical and psychological strategies than pharmacological strategies to manage their child's pain. The most frequently used physical/psychological strategy was distraction and acetaminophen was the most frequently administered pain medication. Parents' confidence in managing their child's pain was inversely associated with both how much pain they perceived their child had, and also whether they had given any pain medication.The results of this study suggest that despite parents' use of pain management strategies, management of cancer-related pain continues to be a problem for children during treatment and into survivorship.

The present population-based study evaluates the management and complications of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in all pediatric oncology patients diagnosed in Maritimes, Canada from 2000 to 2014. A total of 107 PICCs were placed in 87 (10.1%) pediatric oncology patients. A high percentage (33% and 44%, respectively) of the first and second PICC lines was associated with complications. Thrombosis, occlusion, and infection were the most frequent complications. Age above 10 years and left body side of insertion were significantly associated with PICC complications. Given the frequent use of PICCs and the high incidence (>33%) of complications, there is a need to mitigate PICC line complications.