Treatment outcomes improved in neonatal leukemia in Japan

10-03-2006

According to a recently published report from Japan, "Neonatal leukemia characterized by early stem cell origin and extramedullary infiltration in the first 4 weeks of life is rare.

"We analyzed the features and outcome of neonatal leukemia in Japan to establish an appropriate treatment strategy for this rare disorder. Patients with infant leukemia registered and treated in the Japan Infant Leukemia Study between 1996 and 2001 were analyzed."

Among 162 infant leukemia patients, 11 exhibited neonatal leukemia; frequencies for all infant leukemias were 6.9% (8/116) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 7.3% (3/41) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

"Positive MLL gene rearrangement was observed in all eight patients with ALL; a single patient with AML displayed germline configuration. Acute monoblastic leukemia was apparent in all three patients with AML (M5a in the FAB classification)," E. Ishii and colleagues at Saga University reported.

"Most of the patients demonstrated hepatoplenomegaly and hyperleukocytosis at diagnosis. Cutaneous and central nervous system involvement were detected in half of the patients.

"Four patients (one with AML, and three with ALL) have survived following stem cell transplantation (SCT); however," continued investigators, "growth impairment related to SCT was observed in these patients."

Ishii concluded, "These results suggest an improvement attributable to treatment of neonatal leukemia. International-based collaborative studies are necessary to investigate the biology of this condition and to establish appropriate therapeutic strategies."

Ishii and colleagues published their study in Pediatric Blood & Cancer (Features and outcome of neonatal leukemia in Japan: Experience of the Japan Infant Leukemia Study Group. Pediatr Blood Cancer, 2006;47(3):268-272).

For additional information, contact M. Ishii, Saga University, Faculty Medical, Dept. of Pediatrics, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 8498501, Japan.

The publisher's contact information for the journal Pediatric Blood & Cancer is: Wiley-Liss, Division John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.

Keywords: Saga, Japan, Neonatal Leukemia, Stem Cell Transplantation, Growth Impairment, Treatment Outcome.

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