Abstract 4910: Neurocognitive effects of central nervous system directed chemotherapy in Non Hodgkin Lymphoma diseased children

Abstract

Abstract Background and Purpose. Because the blood-brain barrier serves as a pharmacological barrier, malignant cells can remain in the central nervous system (CNS) despite systemic chemotherapy. Consequently, CNS-directed treatment is an essential part of therapy for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We aimed in this analysis to determine the neurocognitive effects of CNS-directed chemotherapy in children with NHL. Methods. In a cross-sectional study 20 NHL diseased children and 10 healthy controls were tested for neurocognitive functions. The selection criteria were: 3 years or more after the end of NHL chemotherapy only regimen, no anaemia, no CNS or systemic diseases. Both patients and healthy controls were examined for global intelligence quotient (IQ), verbal IQ, performance IQ, attention measures, auditory tests, long and short memory, math skills and academic achievement. Results. No decline in global IQ in NHL children compared to healthy controls but there was a significant decline of attention, verbal comprehension and performance IQ. Among 20 NHL diseased children 18 had poor recent and immediate memories while remote memory was normal in 16 children. Young age at diagnosis and treatment intensity were the commonest risk factors. Conclusion. In absence of cranial irradiation, childhood survivors of NHL experience long-term neurocognitive deficits after chemotherapy treatment. Global IQ is not a sufficiently sensitive measure to detect specific CNS deficits in NHL diseased children. The deficits are mainly present in basic neurophysiologic processes of attention and executive functioning. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Abeer Abd Elmoneim, Ahlam Eladawy, Mona Abu Elkasem, Soumaya Hadhood. Neurocognitive effects of central nervous system directed chemotherapy in Non Hodgkin Lymphoma diseased children [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4910.