OBJECTIVETo analyze and compare the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of 31 children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis(LCH) treated with modified DAL-HX83/90 or JLSG-96 protocol.

METHODSThe clinical features, treatment and prognosis of 31 children with Langerhans cells admitted in our hospital from January 2005 to December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. The outcome of patients treated with modified DAL-HX83/90 or JLSG-96 protocols were compared by using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Among 31 children with LCH, 19 males and 12 females, 12 younger than 2 years old, and 19 older than 2 years old. LCH usually affected skeleton system(77.4%), skin(42.0%), liver(29.0%), spleen(19.4%), hematopoietic system(12.9%). The most common misdiagnoses were upper respiratory tract infection, malignancies, focal infection, and eczema.

RESULTSResponse rate at week 6 was 76.9% in modified DAL-HX83/90 group and 94.1% in JLSG-96 group respectively, and no significant differences had been found between 2 groups. The 1-and 3-year overall survival rates of the patients treated with JLSG-96 protocol were 100% and 83.3%±15.2% respectively, while The 1-, 3-,5-year overall survival rates of those patients treated with the modified DAL-HX83/90 protocol were 70%±14.5%. The 1-and 3-year event-free rates of children treated with JLSG-96 protocol were 73.3%±11.4% and 66.7%±12.2%, respectively, while the 1-, 3-, 5-year event-free rates of those treated with modified DAL-HX83/90 protocol were 50%±15.8%, 40%±15.6% and 26.7%±15% respectively. No differences were found between the 2 groups for OS or EFS.

CONCLUSIONJLSG-96 protocol shows a better prognosis, and the risk of secondary malignancy caused by etoposide can be avoided. Early diagnosis of refractory LCH, specified grouping strategy and prolonged maintenance therapy may contribute to enhancing the EFS rates and reducing relapses.