Researchers from University of Michigan, Department of Pediatrics provide details of new studies and findings in the area of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

11-06-2006

A new study, "Metabolic syndrome and growth hormone deficiency in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia," is now available. "The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, growth hormone deficiency, and cardiovascular risk factors among adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with or without cranial irradiation. Follow-up was undertaken of 75 randomly selected long-term childhood ALL survivors," scientists in the United States report.

"Testing included fasting insulin, glucose, lipids, and growth hormone (GH) releasing hormone plus arginine stimulation test. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was compared with population norms from 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES) data, and internally between those with and without past cranial irradiation and those with normal (>16.5 microg/L) versus insufficient (9-16.5 microg/L) versus deficient (<9 microg/L) peak GH secretion. The mean subject age was 30 years and the mean time since ALL diagnosis was 25 years. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome did not differ statistically (p=.87) between study subjects (16.6%) and same-age, same-sex population norms (17.5%). However, 60% of subjects treated with cranial irradiation, compared with 20% of those who were not, had 2 or more of the 5 components of metabolic syndrome. Untreated abnormally low GH was present in 64% of subjects overall and 85% of those who received past cranial irradiation. Cranial irradiation was strongly related to GH deficiency, and in turn lower insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), higher fasting insulin, abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia, particularly in women," wrote J.G. Gurney and colleagues, University of Michigan, Department of Pediatrics.

The researchers concluded: "Hematologists who treat childhood ALL patients, and particularly those who provide primary care to adult survivors, should be aware of the potential for long-term GH deficiency and adverse cardiovascular and diabetes risk profiles as a consequence of leukemia treatment."

Gurney and colleagues published their study in Cancer (Metabolic syndrome and growth hormone deficiency in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer, 2006;107(6):1303-12).

For more information, contact J.G. Gurney, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan Medical School, Dept. of Pediatrics, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0456 U.S.

Publisher contact information for the journal Cancer is: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.

Keywords: United States, Ann Arbor, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Cardiology, Cardiovascular, Endocrinology, Growth Hormone Deficiency, Hematology, Hormones, Oncology.

This article was prepared by Cardiovascular Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Cardiovascular Week via NewsRx.com.