Infections and association with different intensity of chemotherapy in children with acute myeloid leukemia.
BACKGROUND
The objectives were to compare infections during different intensities of therapy in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).


METHODS
Subjects were children enrolled in Children's Cancer Group 2891 with AML. In phase 1 (induction), patients were randomized to intensive or standard timing. In phase 2 (consolidation), those with a family donor were allocated allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT); the remainder were randomized to autologous SCT or chemotherapy. This report compares infections between different treatments on an intent-to-treat basis.


RESULTS
During phase 1, intensive timing was associated with more bacterial (57.7% vs 39.4%; P < .001), fungal (27.4% vs 9.9%; P < .001), and viral (14.0% vs 3.9%; P < .001) infections compared with standard timing. During phase 2, chemotherapy was associated with more bacterial (56.5% vs 40.1%; P = .005), but similar fungal (9.5% vs 6.1%; P = 1.000) and viral (4.2% vs 12.9%; P = .728) infections compared with allogeneic SCT. No differences between chemotherapy and autologous SCT infections were seen. Fatal infections were more common during intensive compared with standard timing induction (5.5% vs 0.9%; P = .004). Infectious deaths were similar between chemotherapy, autologous SCT, and allogeneic SCT.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of infection varies depending on the intensity and type of treatment. This information sheds insight into the mechanisms behind susceptibility and outcome of infections in pediatric AML.
Sung
Lillian
L
Division of Haematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Lillian.sung@sickkids.ca
Gamis
Alan
A
Alonzo
Todd A
TA
Buxton
Allen
A
Britton
Kristen
K
Deswarte-Wallace
Joetta
J
Woods
William G
WG
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality