Pediatric Cancers
‘Overdiagnosis’ may not fully explain rise in pediatric thyroid cancer incidence
CAR-natural killer T-cell therapy shows antitumor activity in advanced neuroblastoma
A natural killer T-cell therapy expressing a chimeric antigen receptor demonstrated antitumor activity among children with late-stage neuroblastoma, according to updated results of a phase 1 dose-escalation trial.
Childhood cancer survivors at risk for loneliness
Some childhood cancer survivors appeared at elevated risk for loneliness, according to study results presented during the virtual Oncology Nursing Society Congress.
Risk-adapted therapies reduce long-term toxicity in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma
The use of risk-adapted therapies for pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma has significantly reduced the incidence of serious long-term health problems among survivors, according to a study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Novel CAR-T shows ‘promising early signs of clinical efficacy’ for diffuse midline gliomas
Three of four patients who received an investigational chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for diffuse midline glioma showed tumor regression and improvement in neurologic symptoms, according to early results of a phase 1 study.
Specific survivor populations have unique needs
Quality survivorship care should consider the unique needs of specific patient populations, such as pediatric patients and sexual minorities, according to a session during the virtual Cancer Center Survivorship Research Forum.
Researchers identify pathogenic germline variants in children with sporadic neuroblastoma
Approximately 16% of children with sporadic neuroblastoma harbored rare pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in a cancer predisposition gene, most of which were inherited, according to study results.
Blinatumomab shows benefit in pediatric B-cell ALL in first relapse
Results of two studies published in JAMA showed the addition of blinatumomab to consolidation chemotherapy improved outcomes for children and young adults with high-risk first relapse of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
‘Overdiagnosis’ driving increased thyroid cancer incidence in children
Thyroid cancer incidence and mortality patterns among children and adolescents worldwide mirror data for adults, suggesting overdiagnosis and a need to “explicitly recommend” against screening for the disease in asymptomatic children.
Should opioids continue to be a component of pain management for children with cancer?
Opioids are needed when the pain cannot be blocked with a regional intervention, or when the pain is severe and the patient is on active chemotherapy and cannot have acetaminophen or anti-inflammatories. The use of opioids should ideally be short-term, at the lowest effective dose and used as needed — we would want to add other lines of therapy when the rest of the medical picture allows.