1.Progress on orbital Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Chenxin ZHOU ; Yunze ZHAO ; Tianyou WANG ; Zhigang LI ; Rui ZHANG
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(5):289-294
Langerhans cell histiocytosis(LCH)is an inflammatory myeloid neoplasm characterized by aberrant differentiation or proliferation of mononuclear phagocytes. Orbital involvement,termed orbital LCH(OLCH),typically presents with periorbital masses,eyelid edema,and localized osteolytic lesions. Besides,optic nerve involvement may cause diplopia,visual impairment and so on,significantly impairing quality of life. Central nervous system-Langerhans cell histiocytosis(CNS-LCH),including central diabetes insipidus and neurodegeneration,may cause irreversible sequelae such as diabetes insipidus,progressive tremor,and ataxia,severely impacting prognosis. Current management of OLCH and its association with CNS-LCH remain controversial.The Histiocyte Society considers OLCH to be one of the risk factors for CNS-LCH,and therefore should receive 6 months of systemic chemotherapy to prevent sequelae. However,conflicting evidence suggests an unclear relationship between OLCH and CNS-LCH progression,with studies demonstrating favorable outcomes in isolated orbital cases treated through localized approaches(surgical excision,curettage,or intralesional corticosteroid injection).Patients with unifocal OLCH exhibit favorable prognosis and potential for spontaneous resolution,and may could spare from systemic chemotherapy to avoid related adverse effects.
2.Bioinformatics analysis of VCAN as a key target in colorectal cancer cisplatin resistance
Jingxian Li ; Huiguang Chen ; Jianze Wu ; Dequan Wang ; Zhifen Chen ; Qingming Wu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(4):624-633
Objective :
To predict and validate key targets for cisplatin(DDP) resistance in colorectal cancer(CRC) to provide more options for precision medicine in clinical treatment.
Methods:
Differentially expressed genes(DEGs) between normal colonic mucosa and CRC were screened from the gene expression omnibus(GEO) database. Key genes were identified using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. DEGs were subjected to enrichment analysis using the gene ontology(GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) databases. Key targets were validated through RNA-seq, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. The versican(VCAN) gene overexpression vector was transfected into human ileocecal colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HCT8, and cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. qRT-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect mRNA and protein levels of the target genes.
Results :
In this study, 118 upregulated DEGs and 146 downregulated DEGs were identified from the GEO database. DEGs were mainly enriched in extracellular matrix degradation, extracellular matrix organization, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT) signaling pathway. Based on protein-protein interaction network analysis, 20 hub genes were identified. By comparing the transcriptome sequencing results of the HCT8 parental strain and DDP-resistant strain, the VCAN gene was further selected. In CRC tissues, the expression level of VCAN was higher than that in normal colonic mucosa, and patients with high VCAN expression had shorter overall survival(OS) and recurrence free survival(RFS) times. Overexpression of VCAN in CRC cells promoted cell proliferation(P<0.05), increased resistance to DDP, reduced DDP-induced apoptosis(P<0.05), and G0/G1phase arrest(P<0.05); upregulation of VCAN activated the protein kinase B(AKT)-mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathway.
Conclusion
Bioinformatics and transcriptome sequencing identified VCAN as a key target gene for DDP resistance in CRC, potentially promoting CRC progression and DDP resistance by regulating the AKT-mTOR pathway.
3.Acute lymphoblastic leukemia secondary to Burkitt lymphoma in children: report of 1 case and review of literature
Chaorong WANG ; Haijun WANG ; Lechen LI ; Nuoyan SHI ; Luyue DING ; Linlin LIU ; Tianyou WANG ; Wei LIU ; Yanna MAO ; Wei LIN
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2025;34(8):489-493
Objective:To improve the understanding of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) secondary to Burkitt lymphoma (BL) in children.Methods:The clinical data of a child with ALL secondary to BL who was admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University in June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed.Results:The patient was a boy with the age of 8 years and 8 months. He presented with a neck mass at the age of 4 years and 6 months, and pathological examination revealed a diagnosis of BL with clinical stage Ⅲ. The patient was given regular chemotherapy according to the Chinese Children's Lymphoma Group non-Hodgkin lymphoma mature B-cell 2017 protocol-B2 regimen. PET-CT showed recurrence of lymphoma in 6 months after the suspension of treatment. The patient was given with placement of 125I particles, oral etoposide and dexamethasone, and traditional Chinese medicine. The patient was admitted to hospital at the age of 8 years and 8 months with fever and skin hemorrhagic spots, bone marrow morphology, immunology, cytogenetics and molecular biology typing indicated a diagnosis of B-ALL with TCF3::PBX1 fusion gene. The patient received induction chemotherapy according to the Chinese Children's Leukemia Group-ALL 2018 protocol. A review of bone marrow cytology achieved complete remission on the 33rd day of chemotherapy, and minimal residual disease detected by flow cytometry indicated less than 0.01%. TCF3::PBX1 fusion gene was negative. Conclusions:ALL secondary to BL in children is rare, and the ALL treatment regimens are effective.
4.Analysis of 8 children with TCF3:: HLF fusion gene positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Wei LIN ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Jiaole YU ; Ying WU ; Peijing QI ; Jia FAN ; Pengli HUANG ; Jixin XU ; Yujie GUAN ; Wei LIU ; Huyong ZHENG ; Tianyou WANG ; Ruidong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(8):896-900
Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and key points of diagnosis and treatment in children with TCF3::HLF fusion gene-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:A case series study was conducted. Clinical data of 8 children diagnosed with TCF3::HLF positive ALL at the Hematology Center of Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University and the Hematology Oncology Department of Henan Children′s Hospital between January 2019 and January 2024 were collected. Descriptive analysis was performed on their clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment regimens and prognosis.Results:The cohort included 8 children (3 males and 5 females) with the age of 5.5 (3.5, 7.0) years. Bone pain was the primary clinical manifestation in 4 cases, with multi-site skeletal involvement in 4 cases, hypercalcemia in 5 cases, and coagulation abnormalities in 6 cases. Immunophenotyping revealed common B-cell lineage with myeloid markers in 7 cases and common B-cell phenotype in 1 case. All 8 children were positive for the TCF3::HLF fusion gene. Regarding treatment, 1 case abandoned therapy after diagnosis, while the remaining 7 cases received chemotherapy following the Chinese Children′s Leukemia Group-ALL2018 high-risk protocol. Only 1 case achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity by day 33 of induction therapy. Among the 3 cases with MRD negativity before consolidation therapy, 1 case achieved it via conventional chemotherapy, while 2 cases required additional agents (venetoclax or blinatumomab). One case failed to achieve MRD negativity after consolidation therapy and later discontinued treatment (survival periods: 7months).Of the 4 cases who achieved MRD negativity after consolidation, 2 cases received conventional chemotherapy and 2 cases achieved negativity following chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CART). All 4 cases underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Two cases in the CART combined with HSCT group survived as of the last follow-up (survival periods: 22 and 13 months). In the conventional chemotherapy combined HSCT group, 1 case relapsed and died (survival: 38 months), and 1 case died from transplant complications (survival: 11 months). The other 2 cases achieved MRD negativity before consolidation therapy but did not receive regular subsequent chemotherapy. After MRD recurrence, they underwent CART therapy without HSCT and remained alive at the last follow-up (survival periods: 49 and 12 months).Conclusions:Children with TCF3::HLF positive ALL often present with bone destruction accompanied by hypercalcemia and coagulopathy at initial diagnosis. This subtype of ALL shows poor response to conventional chemotherapy regimens, characterized by low early remission rates and high relapse risk even after HSCT. Better therapeutic outcomes have been observed with small molecule targeted drugs, immunotherapy and CART therapy.
5.Analysis of 8 children with TCF3:: HLF fusion gene positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Wei LIN ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Jiaole YU ; Ying WU ; Peijing QI ; Jia FAN ; Pengli HUANG ; Jixin XU ; Yujie GUAN ; Wei LIU ; Huyong ZHENG ; Tianyou WANG ; Ruidong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(8):896-900
Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and key points of diagnosis and treatment in children with TCF3::HLF fusion gene-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:A case series study was conducted. Clinical data of 8 children diagnosed with TCF3::HLF positive ALL at the Hematology Center of Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University and the Hematology Oncology Department of Henan Children′s Hospital between January 2019 and January 2024 were collected. Descriptive analysis was performed on their clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment regimens and prognosis.Results:The cohort included 8 children (3 males and 5 females) with the age of 5.5 (3.5, 7.0) years. Bone pain was the primary clinical manifestation in 4 cases, with multi-site skeletal involvement in 4 cases, hypercalcemia in 5 cases, and coagulation abnormalities in 6 cases. Immunophenotyping revealed common B-cell lineage with myeloid markers in 7 cases and common B-cell phenotype in 1 case. All 8 children were positive for the TCF3::HLF fusion gene. Regarding treatment, 1 case abandoned therapy after diagnosis, while the remaining 7 cases received chemotherapy following the Chinese Children′s Leukemia Group-ALL2018 high-risk protocol. Only 1 case achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity by day 33 of induction therapy. Among the 3 cases with MRD negativity before consolidation therapy, 1 case achieved it via conventional chemotherapy, while 2 cases required additional agents (venetoclax or blinatumomab). One case failed to achieve MRD negativity after consolidation therapy and later discontinued treatment (survival periods: 7months).Of the 4 cases who achieved MRD negativity after consolidation, 2 cases received conventional chemotherapy and 2 cases achieved negativity following chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CART). All 4 cases underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Two cases in the CART combined with HSCT group survived as of the last follow-up (survival periods: 22 and 13 months). In the conventional chemotherapy combined HSCT group, 1 case relapsed and died (survival: 38 months), and 1 case died from transplant complications (survival: 11 months). The other 2 cases achieved MRD negativity before consolidation therapy but did not receive regular subsequent chemotherapy. After MRD recurrence, they underwent CART therapy without HSCT and remained alive at the last follow-up (survival periods: 49 and 12 months).Conclusions:Children with TCF3::HLF positive ALL often present with bone destruction accompanied by hypercalcemia and coagulopathy at initial diagnosis. This subtype of ALL shows poor response to conventional chemotherapy regimens, characterized by low early remission rates and high relapse risk even after HSCT. Better therapeutic outcomes have been observed with small molecule targeted drugs, immunotherapy and CART therapy.
6.Progresses of MRI on different dimension couplings of brain in patients with cognitive dysfunction related to cerebral small vessel disease
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(6):932-935
The onset of cognitive dysfunction related to cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)is often occult,with unclear pathogenesis and diverse clinical manifestations,which is difficulty to be early diagnosed.The changes of brain structure-function coupling and neurovascular coupling in CSVD patients play an important role in the occurrence of related cognitive dysfunction.The progresses of MRI researches on different dimension couplings of brain in patients with cognitive dysfunction related to CSVD were reviewed in this article.
7.L-DEP regimen salvage therapy for refractory primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis triggered by Epstein-Barr virus infection in 4 children
Yunze ZHAO ; Honghao MA ; Hongyun LIAN ; Dong WANG ; Tianyou WANG ; Rui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(5):467-472
Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of the L-DEP regimen (asparaginase, liposome doxorubicin, etoposide and methylprednisolone) as a salvage therapy for the refractory primary hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis triggered by Epstein-Barr virus infection (EBV-pHLH) in children.Methods:In this retrospective case study, clinical and laboratory data before and after L-DEP regimen of 4 children diagnosed with EBV-pHLH in Beijing Children′s hospital between January 2016 and June 2022 were collected, and the efficacy and safety of L-DEP regimen for the treatment of EBV-pHLH were analyzed.Results:Among 4 patients, there were 3 females and 1 male with the age ranged from 0.8 to 7.0 years. Two of them showed compound heterozygous mutations of PRF1, one with a heterozygous mutation of UNC13D, one homozygous mutation of ITK. Before the L-DEP therapy, all of them had anemia and a soaring level of soluble CD25, 3 patients had neutropenia and thrombopenia, 3 patients had a high level of ferritin, 3 patients had hypofibrinogenemia and 1 patient had hypertriglyceridemia. After receiving 1 or 2 cycles of L-DEP treatment, three achieved remission, including complete remission (1 case) and partial remission (2 cases), and the other one had no remission. The levels of blood cell counts, soluble CD25, triglyceride, fibrinogen and albumin were recovered gradually in 3 patients who got remission. All four patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after L-DEP regimen, and three survived. All patients had no severe chemotherapy related complications. The main side effects were bone marrow suppression, infection and pancreatitis, which recovered after appropriate treatments, apart from one who died from severe infection after urgent HSCT.Conclusion:L-DEP regimen could be served as an effective and safe salvage treatment for refractory pediatric EBV-pHLH, and also provide an opportunity for patients to receive HSCT.
8.Clinical study of immune-targeting combined with attenuated chemotherapy in the treatment of children with classic Hodgkin lymphoma
Huixia GAO ; Ying LI ; Nan LI ; Shuang HUANG ; Meng ZHANG ; Chunju ZHOU ; Ningning ZHANG ; Yiming ZHANG ; Jing YANG ; Ling JIN ; Xiaoling WANG ; Tianyou WANG ; Yanlong DUAN
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(11):1097-1102
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin (BV) combined with rituximab and attenuated chemotherapy in the treatment of children with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).Methods:A prospective, non-randomized, risk-assigned study. Clinical data (including age, gender, B symptoms, bulky disease, CD30 and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA(EBER) expression, clinical stage, risk stratification, etc.) of 28 intermediate to high-risk cHL children diagnosed and treated at Beijing Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from October 2022 to May 2024 were collected. Immuno-targeted combined with attenuated chemotherapy was administered based on risk stratification and early treatment response. The patients were followed up until May 1st, 2024. The infusion reactions and adverse reactions after treatment were recorded.Results:In all 28 patients, there were 22 males and 6 females, the age was 12 (5,16) years, 16 cases (57%) presented with bulky disease and 10 cases (36%) with B symptoms. The most common pathological type was nodular sclerosis (14 cases, 50%). There were 7 cases of stage Ⅱ, 14 cases of stage Ⅲ and 7 cases of stage Ⅳ according to the Ann Arbor staging system. There were 5 cases in the intermediate-risk group and 23 cases in the high-risk group. EBER was positive in 20 cases (71%) and negative in 6 cases (21%), and CD30 antigen was expressed in tumor cells of all enrolled children. Treatment duration: 5 cases (18%) received 4 courses of treatment, 21 cases (75%) received 6 courses of treatment, and 2 cases (7%) received 8 courses of treatment, 25 cases (89%) achieved complete metabolism response (CMR) through early assessment after 2 courses of chemotherapy. The CMR rates were 100% in intermediate-risk group and 87% (20/23) in high-risk group, respectively. Four patients (14%) finally received residual field radiotherapy. Toxicities included grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ myelosuppression, early infusion reaction and mild peripheral neuropathy, only one case of grade 3 adverse events was recorded and did not affect sequential treatment. At the end of treatment and 3 months of follow-up, the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM were all decreased compared with the baseline before chemotherapy, and the total B cell count began to be lower than the level before chemotherapy at the early stage of treatment (after 2 courses). The total B cell count monitored during treatment was 50 (0, 101)×10 6/L and was 12 (0, 25)×10 6/L at the end of treatment. The follow-up time was 6 (3, 13) months, all 28 children had event-free survival and all achieved complete remission. At 6 and 9 months of follow-up, IgA, IgG, IgM and total B cell counts returned to pre-chemotherapy baseline levels, respectively. Conclusion:BV combined with rituximab attenuated chemotherapy has demonstrated efficacy and a tolerable safety profile in the treatment of cHL in children, and significantly reduce radiation rate.
9.Clinical characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis in children
Jing LI ; Jin ZHOU ; Jing GUO ; Yongli FANG ; Jie WU ; Tianyou WANG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(2):104-108
Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in children.Methods:Clinical data of children with EoE who were hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022, were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 18 children with EoE were included in the study, including 13 males and 5 females, with the age of 11.96 (4.96, 12.81) years.Vomiting was more common in preschool children (4/5), while abdominal pain was the main symptom in school-age and adolescent children (11/13). There were 22.22% (4/18) of the children with EoE had an increased white blood cell count, and 33.33%(6/18) had an increased eosinophil count.Allergic history in the first-degree relatives was detected in 55.56%(10/18) of the children with EoE.Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level was elevated in 68.75% (11/16) of the children.Food-specific IgE was positive in 66.67% (12/18) of the children with EoE.Milk, eggs, and wheat were the most common allergens.Esophageal mucosal hyperemia and erythema, rough, erosion, linear ulcers, annular changes, furrow or wrinkled paper changes, granular changes, polypoid or relaxation of the cardia were seen under endoscopy, whereas 27.78% (5/18) of the children showed normal esophageal mucosa.The histopathology showed chronic inflammation of the esophagus and increased eosinophil count.Three patients were lost of follow-up, and the remaining 15 were followed up for 6-24 months.All children with EoE were treated with the elimination diet.Nine children treated with glucocorticoids experienced clinical remission in a short period of time, involving 1 case with recurrence after withdrawal and being effectively treated by hormone therapy, and 2 cases of repeated digestive system symptoms or increased eosinophil count after withdrawal and being effectively relieved by the elimination diet.Conclusions:EoE is more common in elderly children and boys.Vomiting is the main symptom in pre-school aged children, whereas abdominal pain is the main symptom in school-aged children and adolescents.Increased peripheral white blood cell count and eosinophil count can be detected in some cases, and most of them are positive for food allergen tests.Gastrointestinal endoscopy and histopathology are important in the diagnosis of EoE.Elimination diet may be effective in some patients.Glucocorticoids are of great significance in the treatment of EoE, but a few children are steroid-dependent.
10.Analysis of 9 cases of drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Yunze ZHAO ; Honghao MA ; Dong WANG ; Hongyun LIAN ; Tianyou WANG ; Rui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(1):60-65
Objective:To analyze the clinical features,treatment and prognosis of drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (DIHS-HLH).Methods:This was a retrospective case study. Clinical characteristics, laboratory results, treatment and prognosis of 9 patients diagnosed with DIHS-HLH in Beijing Children′s hospital between January 2020 and December 2022 were summarized. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate the overall survival rate.Results:Among all 9 cases, there were 6 males and 3 females, with the age ranged from 0.8 to 3.1 years. All patients had fever, rash, hepatomegaly and multiple lymph node enlargement. Other manifestations included splenomegaly (4 cases), pulmonary imaging abnormalities (6 cases), central nervous system symptoms (3 cases), and watery diarrhea (3 cases). Most patients showed high levels of soluble-CD25 (8 cases), hepatic dysfunction (7 cases) and hyperferritinemia (7 cases). Other laboratory abnormalities included hemophagocytosis in bone marrow (5 cases), hypofibrinogenemia (3 cases) and hypertriglyceridemia (2 cases). Ascending levels of interleukin (IL) 5, IL-8 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were detected in more than 6 patients. All patients received high dose intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroid and ruxolitinib, among which 4 patients were also treated with high dose methylprednisolone, 2 patients with etoposide and 2 patients with cyclosporin A. After following up for 0.2-38.6 months, 7 patients survived, and the 1-year overall survival rate was (78±14)%. Two patients who had no response to high dose immunoglobulin, methylprednisolone 2 mg/(kg·d) and ruxolitinib died. Watery diarrhea, increased levels of IL-5 and IL-8 and decreased IgM were more frequently in patients who did not survive.Conclusions:For children with fever, rash and a suspicious medication history, when complicated with hepatomegaly, impaired liver function and high levels of IL-5 and IL-8, DIHS-HLH should be considered. Once diagnosed with DIHS-HLH, suspicious drugs should be stopped immediately, and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroid and ruxolitinib could be used to control disease.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail