Hepatic Veno-occlusive Disease In Children Research Articles

The changes in the diagnostics and treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children

The changes in the diagnostics and treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children

Association Between the Magnitude of Intravenous Busulfan Exposure and Development of Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease in Children and Young Adults Undergoing Myeloablative Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Intravenous busulfan is widely used as part of myeloablative conditioning regimens in children and young adults undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Hepatic veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS) is a serious clinical problem observed with busulfan-based conditioning HCT. The development of VOD/SOS may be associated with busulfan exposure. Getting more insight into the association between busulfan exposure and the development of VOD/SOS enables further optimization of dosing and treatment strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the association between the magnitude of busulfan exposure and the occurrence of VOD/SOS in children and young adults undergoing myeloablative conditioning with a busulfan-containing regimen before allogeneic HCT. In this observational study we included all patients who underwent allogeneic HCT with intravenous busulfan as part of the conditioning regimen at 15 pediatric transplantation centers between 2000 and 2015. The endpoint was the development of VOD/SOS. The magnitude of busulfan exposure was estimated using nonlinear mixed effect modeling and expressed as the maximal concentration (Cmax; day 1 and day 1 to 4 Cmax), cumulative area under the curve (AUC; day 1, highest 1-day AUC in 4 days, and 4-day cumulative AUC), cumulative time above a concentration of 300 µg/L, and clearance on day 1. A total of 88 out of 697 patients (12.6%) developed VOD/SOS. The number of alkylators in the conditioning regimen was a strong effect modifier; therefore we stratified the regression analysis for the number of alkylators. For patients receiving only busulfan as one alkylator (36.3%, n = 253), cumulative busulfan exposure (>78 mg × h/L) was associated with increased VOD/SOS risk (12.6% versus 4.7%; odds ratio [OR] = 2.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13 to 7.66). For individuals receiving busulfan with one or two additional alkylators (63.7%, n = 444), cumulative busulfan exposure (≤78 and >78 mg × h/L) did not further increase the risk of VOD/SOS (15.4% versus 15.2%; OR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.75). The effect of the magnitude of busulfan exposure on VOD/SOS risk in children and young adults undergoing HCT is dependent on the number of alkylators. In patients receiving busulfan as the only alkylator, higher cumulative busulfan exposure increased the risk of VOD/SOS, whereas in those receiving multiple alkylators, the magnitude of busulfan exposure did not further increase this risk.

Treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children with N-acetylcysteine.

In our institution, hepatic veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS) has been treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) since 2008-a loading dose of 150mg/kg, followed by 12 doses of 70mg/kg 6 hourly. Nine children were diagnosed with hepatic VOD/SOS. Hepatic VOD/SOS occurred in seven children after stem cell transplantation and two were receiving chemotherapy for Wilms tumor. Their clinical severity was classified as moderate in two and severe in seven by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation criteria. All children recovered and were discharged from 4 to 16days after diagnosis. No side effects were observed. Intravenous NAC is an effective treatment for hepatic VOD/SOS.

High Variability in the Reported Management of Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease in Children after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a potentially fatal complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients with VOD are often critically ill and require close collaboration between transplant physicians and intensivists. We surveyed members of a consortium of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and transplant physicians to assess variability in the self-reported approach to the diagnosis and management of VOD. An internet-based self-administered survey was sent to pediatric HSCT and PICU providers from September 2014 to February 2015. The survey contained questions relating to the diagnosis and treatment of VOD. The response rate was 41% of 382 providers surveyed. We found significant variability in the diagnostic and management approaches to VOD in children. Even though ultrasound is not part of the diagnostic criteria, providers reported using reversal of portal venous flow seen on abdominal ultrasound in addition to Seattle criteria (70%) or Baltimore criteria to make the diagnosis of VOD. Almost 40% of respondents did not diagnose VOD in anicteric patients (bilirubin < 2 mg/dL). Most providers (75%) initiated treatment with defibrotide at the time of diagnosis, but 14%, 7%, and 6% of the providers waited for reversal of portal venous flow, renal dysfunction, or pulmonary dysfunction, respectively, to develop before initiating therapy. Only 50% of the providers restricted fluids to 75% of the daily maintenance, whereas 21% did not restrict fluids at all. Albumin with diuretics was used by 95% of respondents. Platelets counts were maintained at 20,000 to 50,000/mm3 and 10,000 to 20,000/mm3 by 64% and 20% of the respondents, respectively. Paracentesis was generally initiated in the setting of oliguria or hypoxia, and nearly 50% of the providers used continuous drainage to gravity, whereas the remainder used an intermittent drainage approach. Nearly 73% of the transplant providers used VOD prophylaxis, whereas the remainder did not use any medications for VOD prophylaxis. There was also considerable variation in the management strategies among the transplant and critical care providers. We conclude that there is considerable self-reported variability in the diagnosis and management of VOD in children. The practice variations reported in this study should encourage the development of standard practice guidelines, which will be helpful in improving the outcome of this potentially fatal complication.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), or sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, is a potentially fatal complication, which occurs in 7-27% of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this article, we review commonly accepted diagnostic criteria, atypical diagnostic features as well as preventative and treatment measures associated with VOD. Reversal of portal venous flow by Doppler ultrasound is often a late finding; many patients with anicteric VOD may never develop hyperbilirubinemia, and yet perish from severe VOD. Transjugular liver biopsy is usually not available and/or is often avoided. Prophylactic therapies with ursodeoxycholic acid, heparin and defibrotide are discussed. Supportive care with fluid restriction and diuretic therapy, analgesia, blood and platelet transfusions, paracentesis as well as other pulmonary and renal therapies remain imperative to superior outcomes. Specific therapy with thrombolytics such as defibrotide and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is discussed and a classification of severity of VOD is proposed.

Experience from a single paediatric transplant centre with identification of some protective and risk factors concerning the development of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a frequent and severe complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) affecting 9.6-17.3 % of cases. 200 HSCT, performed between January 1995 and March 2013 in our Paediatric HSCT Centre in Trieste, were retrospectively analysed to evaluate the frequency of VOD and to identify the associated risk factors. The frequency of VOD according to the Seattle criteria was 17 %, within the range reported in literature. The mortality rate was 37.5 % (75 out of 200 transplantations) in the general population and 73.5 % (25 out of 34) in VOD patients (p < 0.05). Veno-occlusive disease significantly decreased from 38 % (1995-2000) to 8 % (2007-2013) p < 0.05. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified sepsis and pre-transplant ferritin levels above 1000 ng/ml as two significant risk factors for VOD, while the use of tacrolimus appeared to be associated with a lower VOD risk. Veno-occlusive disease still remains an important cause of transplant-related mortality even if it appears to have decreased over the last few years.

Defibrotide for the treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a serious complication of stem cell transplantation in children. VOD is characterized by rapid weight gain, hepatomegaly, hyperbilirubinemia and ascites. The pathogenesis of VOD is thought to involve chemotherapy and radiation-induced damage to the sinusoidal endothelium, resulting in endothelial injury, microthrombosis, subendothelial damage and cytokine activation. These processes lead to concomitant progressive hepatocellular dysfunction and subsequent fluid retention and renal impairment. Severe VOD is typically associated with multiorgan failure and high mortality. A number of possible strategies for the prevention and/or treatment of VOD in children have been investigated. The most promising agent to date is defibrotide, a novel polydeoxyribonucleotide with fibrinolytic properties but no major bleeding risk. Numerous studies, including Phase II/III trials, have shown clinical benefit in pediatric patients with the use of defibrotide treatment and prophylaxis. This review discusses VOD in children and focuses on therapeutic options, including defibrotide, in this patient population.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: incidence, risk factors, and outcome

Four hundred and sixty-seven hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs) (217 autologous and 250 allogeneic HSCT) were performed in 374 children at four pediatric HSCT centers in Korea from January 2005 to December 2007. Among 467 transplants, veno-occlusive disease (VOD) developed in 72 transplants (15.4%) at a median of 10 days after HSCT. Multivariate analysis showed that BU or TBI-containing regimen (P=0.002), VOD prophylaxis without lipo-prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) (P=0.012), number of previous HSCT (P=0.014), and pretransplant serum ferritin (P=0.018) were independent risk factors for developing VOD. Mean serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in HSCT with VOD (2109.6+/-2842.5 ng/ml) than in HSCT without VOD (1315.9+/-1094.4 ng/ml) (P<0.001). The relative risk of death within 100 days of HSCT in transplants with VOD compared with transplants without VOD was 3.39 (confidence interval: 1.78-6.45). Our results suggest that lipo-PGE1 might have a protective effect against the development of VOD, and pretransplant serum ferritin could act as a risk factor for VOD. A larger prospective study is needed to confirm a possible role of lipo-PGE1 and iron chelation therapy in reducing the incidence of VOD.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children with acute lymphoma leukemia after CAT chemotherapy: report of 2 cases

目的 探讨儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病CAT方案(环磷酰胺、阿糖胞苷、6-硫代鸟嘌呤)治疗后发生肝静脉闭塞病(HVOD)的病因、临床表现、影像学特征及治疗方案.方法 分析CAT治疗后发生HVOD患儿的临床资料并复习文献.结果 2例患儿治疗后血常规、肝功能、出凝血项、彩色多普勒检查中肝静脉显影及腹水、胸水均较治疗前明显改善.结论 CAT治疗儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病发生HVOD可能与化疗药物联合作用有关,去纤苷是一种相对有效且安全的治疗HVOD药物。

Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease in Children after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcome

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is one of the most frequent complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We conducted this study to describe recent characteristics of incidence, risk factors, treatment and outcome of VOD in children undergoing autologous or allogeneic HSCT. Patients who underwent HSCT with hematological malignancies, solid tumors, or nonmalignant diseases at Asan Medical Center, National Cancer Center, Samsung Medical Center, and Seoul National University Children's Hospital in Korea, from January 2005 to December 2007, were assessed with chart review. VOD was defined according to McDonald criteria and classified as severe on the basis of persistent symptoms after day 100 or death before day 100 with ongoing VOD. All other patients were considered to have mild or moderate VOD. Descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors are presented. Four hundred sixty-seven HSCTs (217 autologous and 250 allogeneic HSCTs) were performed in 374 patients for the treatment of leukemia (n=177, 37.9%), neuroblastoma (n=103, 22.1%), brain tumors (n=69, 14.8%), nonmalignant diseases (n=62, 13.3%), and other solid tumors (n=56, 12.0%). For VOD prophylaxis, heparin was used in 116 transplants, heparin + prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in 230 transplants, PGE1 ± ursodeoxycholic acid in 86 transplants, and defibrotide + heparin in 35 transplants. Among 467 transplant procedures, VOD developed in 72 transplants (15.4%) at median 10 days (range, 1–64) after HSCT. Five patients had recurrent VOD in their tandem transplantation. VOD was mild or moderate in 62 transplants and severe in 10 transplants. For treatment of VOD, PGE1, tissue-plasminogen activator, defibrotide, or antithrombin III were given alone or in combination of each other in 42 transplants. In remaining 30 VOD-positive transplants, patients were treated with supportive care only, such as restriction of sodium and fluid intake, diuretics and hematologic support. The median duration of VOD was 12 days (range, 3–80). Hepatomegaly was the most common sign of VOD (n=63). Ascites and inversion of portal flow were found in 17 (23.6%) and 8 (11.1%) of 72 VOD-positive transplants, respectively. VOD-related respiratory dysfunction and renal dysfunction were more frequent in transplants with severe VOD (7/10 and 7/10) compared to transplants with mild or moderate VOD (9/62 and 8/62) (P=0.001 and P<0.0005). Multivariate analysis showed that total body irradiation (TBI) or busulfan containing regimen (P=0.003), VOD prophylaxis without PGE1 (P=0.005), pre-transplant serum ferritin (P=0.005), and number of previous HSCT (P=0.038) were independent risk factors for developing VOD. Underlying disease, stem cell source, donor type, age at transplantation, pre-transplant serum aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase did not influence the development of VOD. In addition, ascites (P=0.017) and number of previous HSCT (P=0.037) were significant risk factors for severe VOD by multivariate analysis. Deaths within 100 days after transplantation occurred in 13 of 72 VOD-positive transplants, the cause of death being VOD-related multi-organ failure in 5 cases. The risk of death within 100 days after HSCT was 2.8 times higher (95% CI: 1.718, 4.563) for VOD-positive transplants (P<0.0005). TBI or busulfan-based conditioning regimen, VOD prophylaxis without PGE1, pre-transplant ferritin level, and repeated HSCT increased significantly the incidence of VOD in children after HSCT. The results can be used to identify high risk patients who are to undergo an HSCT. The encouraging result of our study is to justify the role of PGE1 in the prophylaxis of VOD, however prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm the superior efficacy of PGE1 in preventing VOD. Despite the combination of supportive cares and VOD therapy, significant numbers of patients are still suffering from VOD. Continued research for prevention and effective treatment of VOD will be necessary to improve the outcome of HSCT.

Defibrotide for the Treatment of Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease in Children.

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) of the liver is a major complication of allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly after busulfan-based conditioning regimens. Clinically, VOD is characterized by fluid retention, weight gain, hyperbilirubinemia and painful hepatomegaly. Efficacy and safety of defibrotide for the treatment of VOD, especially in pediatric patients, has not been adequately confirmed or the results are still preliminary. This retrospective report describes experience with defibrotide in children with hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) following HSCT in a single institution.Materials and Method: Children who had undergone HSCT between April 2005–June 2006 and who received defibrotide for the treatment of HVOD during their admission were identified. Demographic data and clinical information of these patients were abstracted from their health records.Results: Eight children (median age: 4.5 years; range: 1–14 years) who underwent HSCT during the study period received defibrotide for the treatment of HVOD; 5 were boys and 3 were girls. Three patients underwent HSCT for hematologic malignancies, 2 for neuroblastoma, 1 for hemoglobinopathy, 1 for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and 1 for fanconi aplastic anemia. Conditioning regimens included busulfan (16 mg/kg) in four, melphelan (140 mg/m2) in two and total body irradiation in 1 patient as being risk factors for HVOD. Two patients with neuroblastoma had undergone autologous HSCT, three patients had been transplanted from matched sibling donor and the other three were either unrelated donor or unrelated cord blood transplantation. HVOD was diagnosed on transplant day +4 to +19 (median: +12 ). The median initial defibrotide dose was 31.5 mg/kg/day (25–46 mg/kg/day). The median duration of defibrotide therapy was 27 days (1–46 days). Defibrotide was discontinued due to clinical improvement (5), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (2), death (1). Two patients in whom defibrotide was discontinued because of gastrointestinal hemorrhage died. The primary cause of death in these two children was: progressive HVOD and multiorgan failue following sepsis.As a result of this experience and under the light of literature, we believed that defibrotide is an effective treatment for children with HVOD and should be instituted in each children without delay in the event of at least one of the criteria for HVOD is established. But it is necessary to carry out further studies in larger group of patients with longer follow-up to validate the efficacy and safety of defibrotide.

Intravenous Busulfan: Pharmacokinetic Disposition and Clinical Outcomes in Children Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

Background:Conditioning regimens preceding hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for various malignant and non-malignant diseases in children often include busulfan.Busulfan administration may be complicated by hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD). A relationship has been described between high systemic exposure to busulfan after oral administration, as measured by area under the curve (Bu-AUC) and HVOD. Recently, IV busulfan (IV Bu) administration has been reported to be associated with a much lower incidence of HVOD than oral administration in adults.Objectives:To describe the pharmacokinetics of IVBu in infants (<1 year of age) and children.To determine the incidence of HVOD in children undergoing conditioning with IV Bu, and to correlate IV Bu AUC with the development of HVOD and neutrophil engraftment.Methods:Twenty-four children who underwent HSCT at The Hospital for Sick Children between April 2003 and September 2004 and received IV Bu as part of their conditioning regimen were included in this retrospective study. Diagnoses included: AML (6), metabolic storage disease (6), immune deficiency syndromes (4), histiocytosis (2), beta-thalassemia (2), WAS (1), MDS (1), CML (1), relapsed meduloblastoma (1).Initial IV Bu doses were based on actual patient weight: <9kg =0.95mg/kg/dose; 9–16kg =1.2mg/kg/dose; 16–23kg =1.1mg/kg/dose; 24–34kg =0.95mg/kg/dose; >34kg =0.8mg/kg/dose. Seven blood samples were drawn after the first IV Bu dose for determination of plasma busulfan concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using 1-compartment analysis (WinNonLin 4.1). The third and subsequent IV Bu doses were adjusted to achieve an AUC of 900–1500μMol•min. HVOD (modified Baltimore criteria) and engraftment (ANC > 0.5 x 109/L) were evaluated.Results:The median patient age was 3.5 years (range 3mo–16.9yrs), including 9 infants. Mean IV Bu pharmacokinetic parameters were: Cmax=4.7±0.9μMol; Vss=0.70±0.22L/kg; ke=0.005±0.001min−1; AUC=1256±320μMol•min. The mean IV Bu AUC of infants was not different from older children (1164μ±331Mol•min vs. 1311±311μMol•min; p=0.35). The mean Vss was higher in infants than older children (0.84±0.29L/kg vs. 0.62±0.10L/kg; p=0.025), but the mean clearance was not different when corrected for body weight.Twenty-three patients (95.8%) engrafted between day +10 to +27. HVOD was diagnosed in 6 patients (25%), including 3 infants. Five patients had moderate HVOD and one had fatal HVOD.Mean IV Bu AUC was 1317±310μMol•min and 1074±299μMol•min in the non- HVOD vs. the HVOD group, respectively (p=0.10). The number of children who did not engraft precluded assessment of the relationship between IV Bu AUC and engraftment.Conclusions:Busulfan Vss differs significantly between infants and older children. A significant proportion of patients developed HVOD. No association was observed between IV Bu AUC and the development of HVOD in children where busulfan doses are adjusted to achieve a target IV Bu AUC.

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease following bone marrow transplantation in children: effectiveness and a scoring system for initiating treatment.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) following bone marrow transplantation is potentially fatal. Criteria for diagnosis and starting treatment are mainly based on adult studies. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) has been used with variable success. rtPA and heparin were given to 12 children (nine with immunodeficiency, two malignancy, one thalassaemia) with moderate to severe HVOD. Of the 12, 10 responded with a fall in bilirubin concentration; eight survived with complete resolution of HVOD. Four of the five patients with associated multiorgan failure (MOF) died despite rtPA treatment. One child suffered significant, and one minor, bleeding during rtPA treatment. A scoring system for quantifying the severity of HVOD in children is proposed, incorporating the criteria used to diagnose HVOD, risk factors for its development and also parameters reflective of the patient's general condition. This will facilitate early diagnosis and management of those cases which, if not treated promptly, are likely to deteriorate with an adverse outcome. Our experience suggests rtPA and heparin are an effective treatment for HVOD in children, with relatively little toxicity provided therapy is started before MOF develops.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children undergoing bone-marrow transplantation: usefulness of sonographic findings.

Reports of the usefulness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) have presented conflicting results. To determine the usefulness of gray-scale or Doppler ultrasonographic measurements in the diagnosis of HVOD in pediatric patients undergoing BMT. We prospectively obtained 202 serial sonograms on 48 patients and examined the association between the clinical diagnosis of HVOD (McDonald criteria) and eight ultrasound parameters, including the hepatic artery resistive index (HARI), direction and velocity of portal venous flow, and thickness of the gall bladder wall. HVOD developed in 29 of the 48 patients. The portal venous velocity increased after BMT in the group without HVOD and decreased in the group with HVOD; this difference was significant (P = 0.01). However, there was a great deal of variability in velocity measurements for individual patients. The mean HARI was 0.64 in the group with HVOD and 0.63 in the group without HVOD, and there was no difference between the two groups in the pattern of change in HARI relative to the day of BMT (P = 0.4). There was also no significant difference in thickness of the gallbladder wall between the two groups (P = 0.6). No ultrasound parameter studied was as useful as the McDonald criteria for diagnosing HVOD.