Objective:To investigate the safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) in the treatment of children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA).Methods:Data of children aged 2 to 18 years with the diagnosis of sJIA and treated with TCZ from June 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022 at our hospital were retrospectively collected. The clinical medication characteristics, incidence, severity and outcome of adverse drug reactions (ADR) were statistically analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of TCZ-induced ADR. Univariate comparison between groups were compared to the measured data followed by t test for normal distribution, and the counting data were paired with Chi-square test. Binary logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. Results:A total of 83 eligible children were enrolled. The age at TCZ initiation was (8.5±3.7) years old. Most of the children received oral glucocorticoid (86.8%) and/or methotrexate (72.3%) prior to TCZ treatment. The mean time of TCZ duration was (1.2±0.9) years, the total TCZ exposure was 92.70 patient years. Fifty-five (66.3%) children reported 123 ADR, with a rate of 132.69/100 patient years. Forty-two (50.6%) children reported 103 general ADR, with a rate of 111.11/100 patient years. Eighteen (21.7%) children reported 20 serious ADR, with a rate of 21.57/100 patient years. The results of univariate analysis showed that the dosage of glucocorticoid in ADR group was higher than that in non-ADR group [(0.76±0.50) mg·kg -1·d -1vs. (0.52±0.41) mg·kg -1·d -1, t=2.27, P=0.026], and the difference was statistically significant. However, there were no significant differences in gender [(male 23, female 32) cases vs. (male 9, female 19) cases, χ2=0.73, P=0.392], age at TCZ initiation [(8.5±3.8) years old vs. (9.0±3.1) years old, t=-0.65, P=0.516], duration of TCZ treatment [(1.24±1.00) years vs. (1.05±0.90) years, t=0.87, P=0.385], methotrexate doses weekly [(8.0±5.2) mg/m 2vs. (7.6±5.1) mg/m 2, t=0.39, P=0.696], and history of drug or food allergy (11 cases vs. 5 cases, χ2=0.06, P=0.815) between the two groups. The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that the combined use of oral glucocorticoids was an independent risk factor for TCZ-induced ADR [ OR (95% CI) =3.05 (1.11, 8.36), P=0.030]. The risk of ADR was 3.05 times higher in the combined daily dose of glucocorticoids ≥0.76 mg/kg prednisone equivalent than that of < 0.76 mg/kg. Common general ADR to TCZ include infections (38.83/100 patient years) and abnormalities in laboratory parameters (37.76/100 patient years) such as elevated glutamic-pyrupiane transaminase (18.34/100 patient years), dyslipidemia (12.94/100 patient years), and hemocytopenia (5.39/100 patient years). The serious ADR included serious infection (9.71/100 patient years) and serious infusion reaction(7.55/100 patient years). All ADR were improved after drug withdrawal or symptomatic treatment, and no deaths occurred. Conclusion:TCZ has a good safety profile in the treatment of sJIA. Serious infections and severe infusion reactions often lead to discontinuation of the drug. The combination of glucocorticoids≥0.76 mg/kg prednisone equivalent is an independent risk factor for TCZ-induced ADR. Monitoring should be strengthened during the application of TCZ, and ADR should be detected and treated as early as possible to reduce the risk of medication related adverse reactions.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect and safety of venetoclax combined with azacitidine for high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 48 patients with high-risk MDS in Jining No.1 People's Hospital from January 2020 to May 2023 were collected, and all patients were divided into the control group (20 cases) and the test group (28 cases) according to medications. The control group was treated with azacitidine alone, and the test group was treated with venetoclax combined with azacitidine regimen. The total effective rate and adverse reactions of the 2 groups were compared after 3 courses of treatment.Results:Among 48 patients, 30 cases were male and 18 cases were females; the median onset age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was 62 years (54 years, 75 years). There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, white blood cell count, neutrophil count, hemoglobin, platelet count, bone marrow original cells proportion between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). After 3 courses of treatment, the total effective rate in the test group was 75% (22/28), and the rate in the control group was 45% (9/20), and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 5.74, P<0.05). The incidence of grade 3 and the above adverse reactions in the control group and the test group was 25% (5/20), 54% (15/28), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 1.62, P>0.05). Conclusions:Venetoclax combined with azacitidine regimen for high-risk MDS can improve the clinical efficacy, and the adverse reactions can be tolerated.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of domestic bortezomib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) .Methods:This multicenter, prospective, single-arm clinical study included 126 patients with NDMM admitted to seven hospitals between December 2019 and January 2022. All patients received domestic bortezomib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (BLD regimen), and the efficacy, prognostic factors, and safety were analyzed.Results:Among the 126 patients with NDMM, 118 completed four cycles of treatment, with an overall response rate (ORR) of 93.22% (110/118) and a ≥very good partial response (VGPR) rate of 68.64% (81/118). Ultimately, 114 patients completed at least eight cycles of treatment, with an ORR of 92.98% (106/114) and a ≥VGPR rate of 77.19% (88/114). Eighteen patients underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after completing 6-8 cycles of the BLD regimen, with an ORR of 100% (18/18) and a ≥VGPR rate of 88.9% (16/18). The proportion of patients achieving ≥VGPR increased with the treatment duration, and factors such as staging and age did not significantly affect efficacy. Single-factor analysis showed that R2-ISS stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ, blood calcium >2.27 mmol/L, and failure to achieve VGPR after six cycles were adverse prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) ( P<0.05), whereas failure to achieve VGPR after six cycles was an adverse prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) ( P<0.001). Multifactor analysis demonstrated that failure to achieve VGPR after six cycles is an independent adverse prognostic factor for PFS ( P=0.002). The incidence of hematologic adverse reactions was 16.7% (19/114), and nonhematologic adverse reactions were mainly mild to moderate, with no significant cardiac or renal adverse reactions observed. Conclusion:The BLD regimen is effective in treating NDMM, in which patients with high-risk genetic features are still achieving a high ≥VGPR rate, and the overall safety is good.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) with relapses by comparing clinical features, treatment and disease course among JDM patients with and without relapses.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 102 JDM patients from Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between March 2017 and March 2021 was carried out. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether a JDM relapse had occurred or not. Initial clinical features, laboratory tests and treatment were compared between the two groups. T-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for measurement data, chi-square test or fisher exact probability was used for count data. The features associated with risk of relapses were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results:Among 102 children with JDM, twenty patients (19.6%) relapsed during drug reduction or after drug withdrawal. The mean duration to the first relapse was 3.24 years (range: 9 months to 7 years). Myositis specific antibodies (MSA) were positive for 8 (40.0%) patients with relapses. With 5 cases were anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 positive, 2 cases were anti-transcription interme-diary factor 1 gamma positive, 1 case was anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) positive, the other 12 cases were MSA negative. By binary logistic regression analysis, we found that peripheral calcinosis [ OR(95% CI)=17.54(1.55, 198.64), P=0.021], and interstitial lung disease [ OR(95% CI)=3.83(1.27, 11.59), P=0.017] were independently related to JDM with relapses. Fifty-three patients (51.9%) received methylpre-dnisolone pulse therapy for initial treatment and 13 (65.0%) patients with relapses received methylprednisolone pulse for initial treatment. There was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=1.70 , P=0.193). Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist combined with methotrexate (MTX) had achieved good results in clinical treatment in children with relapses. Conclusion:The risk of relapses is high in children with JDM. Calcinosis and interstitial lung disease at disease onset can predict a relapsing disease course. Aggressive treatment is urgently demanded for patients with JDM, especially those with relapses.

Objective:To investigate the different effects of different treatment regimens in resistant Kawasaki disease (KD) and to provide evidence for clinical treatment.Methods:Forty-nine inpatient children with resistant KD from July 2017 to June 2019 in Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled into this study. Treatment and follow-up were still in progress. Rank sum test and χ2/Fisher test were used for statisic. Results:The incidence of resistance in infliximab group was significantly lower than that of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) retreated group ( P<0.05). Sixteen cases were treated with 5 mg/kg infliximab (IFX), and 33 cases received methylprednisolone and an additional dose of IVIG. Nine cases who were resistant to IVIG and methylprednisolone were treated with IFX, 6 patients responded to IFX, 3 of them were treated with cyclosporine. Coronary artery changes were followed up. Coronary artery lesions (CALs) were improved in the IFX group, CALs occurred in 12(36%) patients received IVIG and methylprednisolone, 4 of them were improved( χ2=0.633 , P=0.426). Patients were followed up for 3-24 months, the incidence of CALs persistence was statistically significantly different between the two groups (0 vs 24%, P=0.021]. Conclusion:IFX might be an effective and tolerable treatment for resistant KD.

Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of five children with tuberculosis with arthritis as the initial manifestation. Methods The clinical features, laboratory tests and imaging manifestation of 5 children with joint tuberculosis were retrospectively analyzed. Results The course of disease was different. All the five patients were males (mean age 8.5 ±2.9 years old) and suffered from articular symptoms as initial feature. Four of them were diagnosed and treated as rheumatoid arthritis by other hospitals for up to three years, two patients have tuberculosis contact history, and another two patients were found with bone destruction, and one patient has pathologic fracture. Conclusions Tuberculosis is easily misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis , which deserves attention from a pediatric rheumatology physician.

Objective To observe the value of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for the overlap syndrome complicated with pulmonary encephalopathyt.Methods Fifty-six patients with the overlap syndrome complicated with pulmonary encephalopathy were divided into the experinental group and the controlled group.The experimental group was treated with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation and conventional clinical therapy (drugs and oxygen).The controlled group was treated with conventional clinical therapy.Results The experimental group was better than tche Controlled group in blood gas analysis (PH、PaCO2) in the second hour and the twentyfourth hour after treatment (P ＜ 0.05).The experimental group was more than the controlled group in the improvement of consciousness disorder (P ＜ 0.05).The experimental group was less than the controlled group in tracheal intubation (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation could improve consciousness disorder of the overlap syndrome complicated with pulmonary encephalopathy,and reduce tracheal intubation.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab inpatients with refractory systemic'onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA),and to provide a new option for the treatment of this severe disease.Methods We retrospectively studied 25 cases of hospitalized patients with refractory SoJIA treated withtocilizumab,of whom 22 had data that fit for analysis,from May 2005 to February 2016.Data of 22 cases were collected retrospectively from physicians in charge of the patients.Children with SoJIA were treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),Glucocorticoid (GC),methotrexate,cyclosporin A,etanerceptetc before,but still in high disease activity due to inadequate response were involved.Weretrospective analyzedthe laboratory test results like C'reactive protein (CRP),Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),Ferritin and other inflammatory index.Improvement of pain,fever,rash,hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenectasis of active SoJIA (disease course ≥6 months,and inadequate response to NSAIDs and GC) after tocilizumab treatment (Body weight ≥30 kg,8 mg/kg;Body weight＜30 kg,12 mg/kg,per 4 weeks) were analyzed.Safety data of 22 cases were collected throughout the treatment period including neutropenia,infections,anaphylaxis and elevated liver enzymes etc.We also retrospectively analyzedthe dose change of GC and the long'term effect.Dichtomous paramenters were compared teween groups using thex2 test.Continuous parameters were compared using the analysis of uariance.Results In comparison to the indices before the treatment,the level of CRP [(8.7±2.2) mg/L vs (111.6±74.4) mg/L,F=5.192,P=0.002],ESR [(6.4±6.3) mm/1 h) vs (65.6±24.3) mm/1 h,F=50.393,P=0.000],white blood cell (WBC) [(8.4±2.5)×109/L vs (17.6±8.6)×109/L,F=9.321,P=0.000],Neutrophil count [(4.9±2.4)×109/L vs.(14.4±8.7)×109/L,F=10.541,P=0.000],blood platelet (PLT) [(269.5±79.2)×109/L vs (405.4± 145.3)×109/L,F=5.704,P=0.000] and globulin [(19.2±4.1) g/L vs (30.1±3.8) g/L,F=22.896,P=0.000] decreased rapidly and hemoglobin [(118.3±9.0) g/L vs (108.5±9.8) g/L,F=4.693,P=0.002] increased significantly at 24 weeks after Tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment.Clinical manifestationssuch as fever,rash,hepatosplenomegaly,joint swelling and pain were significantly improved.GC dose [(1.25±3.8) mg·kg-1·d-1 vs (16.2±12.8) mg·kg-1·d-1,F=8.21,P=0.000] were significantly reduced after TCZ treatment (P＜0.05);American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Pedi 30/50/70/90 was improved after TCZ treatment.Adverse events occurred in 3 cases of 25 children,who were not included in the statistical analysis group.Conclusion This retrospective case series has demonstrated the efficacy of tocilizumab in SoJIA,low incidence of adverse reactions.Further studies are needed to be developed because this case series haslimited sample size.

Objective To analyze the clinical features and laboratory data of 10 patients with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) complicating systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (soJIA),which were characterized by acute severe liver injury.Methods Data of 10 patients with soJIA/MAS from Nanjing Children's Hospital were collected retrospectively.The clinical features,laboratory findings,treatment,outcomes and prognosis were analyzed.Results In the total 10 patients,female (6/10) outnumbered male.Their age ranged from 1.5 to 9.5 years old (average 5.2±2.6).The most remarkable clinical manifestations were severe liver injury without systemic features,representing as hepatomegaly (10/10),splenomegaly (2/10) and strikingly increased transaminase (10/10,median:ALT 1 445 U/L,AST 885 U/L).Central nervous system dysfunction and hemorrhages were recorded in 20％ of the patients.Two patients had pulmonary infection.Laboratory data showed that platelet count was less than normal or precaution value (10/10,≤262×10g/L).Hyperferritinaemia (10/10,median:17 329 mg/ml) and soluble CD25 elevation (median:3 140 U/ml) were common in the soJIA/MAS patients.Evidence of macrophage hemophagocytosis was found in 90％ of the patients (9/10) who underwent bone marrow aspiration.Pathological findings of liver biopsy from 1 patient revealed massive infiltration of mononuclear cells in the portal tracts.Nearly all patients (9/10) received intravenous pulse methylprednisolone therapy,combined with cyclosporine A and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin.Eight patients had good outcome.Only 2 patients were complicated with severe interstitial lung disease during 12-months follow-up.Conclusion MAS should be considered when patients with soJIA represents acute severeliver injury without systemic features combined with other laboratory data.Intravenous pulse methylprednisolone and cyclosporine A therapy may improve the prognosis of soJIA/MAS.

Objective To compare the dosimetric parameters of volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT),fixed field intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT)and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3D-CRT)in the radiotherapy for the patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and to analyze their characteristics. Methods Twelve patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with VMAT, IMRT and 3D-CRT plan designed by Pinnacle 9.2 and Preciseplan 2.03 treatment planning system.The dosimetric parameters of targeted volumes and organs at risk were compared between three groups. Results The conformation indexes (CI)of VMAT and IMRT plans were similar,and they were both better than 3D-CRT plan,the difference was significant(P<0.05).The homogeneity index(HI)in three groups were similar,there were no statistically significant differences between them(P>0.05).The monitor units(MU)and beam time in 3D-CRT group were better than those in other two groups,and VMRT group was better than IMRT group,the statistical differences were observed between three groups (P<0.05 ).There were no statistical differences of organs at risk such as brainstem and lens between three groups(P>0.05).The doses of the spinal cord,optic nerve,optic chiasm and temporal lobe of brain in VMAT and IMRT groups were better than those in 3D-CRT group,there were statistical differences between them(P<0.05),and the data in VMAT and IMRT groups were similar,and there were no statistical differences(P>0.05).Conclusion There are differences of the targeted dose distribution between the three kinds of radiation technology, while VMAT and IMRT plans can cover the targeted areas and reduce the received doses of organs at risk.The CI,MU and beam time of VMAT plan are better than those of IMRT plan. 3D-CRT plan only has advantage in the MU and beam time.