scholarly journals Outcome Analysis of Pediatric Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated with Total Body Irradiation–Free Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Comparison of Patients with and Without Central Nervous System Involvement

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 2110-2117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Ali Hamidieh ◽  
Seyed Mostafa Monzavi ◽  
Maryam Kaboutari ◽  
Maryam Behfar ◽  
Mohsen Esfandbod
2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e2014075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Ilaria Del Principe ◽  
Luca Maurillo ◽  
Francesco Buccisano ◽  
Giuseppe Sconocchia ◽  
Mariagiovanna Cefalo ◽  
...  

In adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement is associated with a very poor prognosis. The diagnostic assessment of this condition relies on the use of neuroradiology, conventional cytology (CC) and flow cytometry (FCM). Among these approaches, which is the gold standard it is still a matter of debate. Neuroradiology and CC have a limited sensitivity with a higher rate of false negative results. FCM demonstrated a superior sensitivity over CC, particularly when low levels of CNS infiltrating cells are present. Although prospective studies of large series of patients are still awaited, a positive finding by FCM appears to anticipate an adverse outcome even if CC shows no infiltration. Current strategies for adult ALL CNS-directed prophylaxis or therapy involve systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Actually, early and frequent intrathecal injection of cytostatic combined with systemic chemotherapy is the most effective strategy to reduce the frequency of CNS involvement. In patients with CNS overt ALL, at diagnosis or upon relapse, allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation might be considered. This review will discuss risk factors, diagnostic techniques for identification of CNS infiltration and modalities of prophylaxis and therapy to manage it. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 2027-2030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Chen ◽  
Dat Ngo ◽  
Joseph Rosenthal

A 26-year-old male with a history of pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and seizures presented with second relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and central nervous system involvement, 19 years after the initial diagnosis. Over the next two months, the patient received six doses of triple intrathecal chemotherapy (cytarabine, methotrexate, and hydrocortisone), three concurrently with continuous blinatumomab in the second month. Approximately 12 days after blinatumomab initiation, he developed central nervous system toxicity manifesting as speech impairment, altered mental status, incontinence, and diffuse weakness. Blinatumomab was discontinued, and he was started on dexamethasone. Within the next couple of months, his neurologic status recovered, and he was able to perform all of his baseline activities without limitation. Unfortunately, the patient eventually expired after further relapse approximately one year later. To our knowledge, this is the first published case report of severe neurotoxicity in a patient who was given blinatumomab concurrently with intrathecal chemotherapy.


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