Background & aims: Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receive high doses dexamethasone during treatment, which induce acute side effects. The aims of the current study were to... Show moreBackground & aims: Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receive high doses dexamethasone during treatment, which induce acute side effects. The aims of the current study were to determine the influence of a five-day dexamethasone course on changes in leptin, fat mass, BMI, hunger, sleep and fatigue and to explore associations between these changes.Methods: Pediatric ALL patients were included during maintenance treatment. Data was collected before (T1) and after (T2) a five-day dexamethasone course (6 mg/m(2)/day). BMI, fat mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis) and leptin were assessed on both timepoints, as well as parent-reported questionnaires regarding hunger, fatigue and sleep problems. Changes between T1 and T2 were assessed using paired tests. Correlation coefficients were calculated to assess associations between these changes (Delta scores: T2-T1). Univariable regression models were estimated to study associations between covariates and elevated leptin.Results: We included 105 children with median age 5.4 years (range 3.0-18.8). Leptin and fat mass, as well as hunger scores, fatigue and sleep deteriorated after five days of dexamethasone (p < 0.001), in contrast to BMI (p = 0.12). No correlations between delta leptin and delta fat mass, BMI, hunger, fatigue or sleep were found. Elevated leptin on T1 was associated with older age (odds ratio (OR) 1.51, 95%-confidence interval (95%-CI) 1.28-1.77), higher fat mass (OR 1.19, 95%-CI 1.07-1.33) and earlier maintenance week (OR 0.96, 95%-CI 0.92-0.99).Conclusions: Five days of high dose dexamethasone treatment lead to direct and significant changes in leptin, hunger scores and fat mass. Since children with ALL are at increased risk for metabolic adverse events, understanding underlying mechanisms is important, and a dexamethasone-induced state of acute leptin resistance might play a role. Show less
Atteveld, J.E. van; Winter, D.T.C. de; Pluimakers, V.G.; Fiocco, M.; Nievelstein, R.A.J.; Hobbelink, M.G.G.; ... ; Dutch LATER Study Grp 2022
Background: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk of developing skeletal comorbidities later in life. We aimed to assess risk factors for low and very low bone mineral density (BMD), and the risk... Show moreBackground: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk of developing skeletal comorbidities later in life. We aimed to assess risk factors for low and very low bone mineral density (BMD), and the risk of and risk factors for any fractures and vertebral fractures in a national cohort of Dutch adult childhood cancer survivors.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used data from the DCCSS LATER cohort, which comprised individuals who were alive for at least 5 years after diagnosis of childhood cancer (ie, histologically confirmed malignancies or Langerhans cell histiocytosis), were diagnosed before the age of 19 years, and who had been treated at one of seven Dutch paediatric oncology centres between 1963 and 2002 (hereafter referred to as survivors). For this study, we invited survivors aged 18-45 years, who were alive as of Oct 10, 2016, living in the Netherlands, and who were deemed eligible by their treating physician to participate. We assessed BMD using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Self-reported fractures that occurred at least 5 years after cancer diagnosis were assessed using available medical history and compared with population-level data from the Swedish national registry. We assessed vertebral fractures in a subset of participants using a vertebral fracture assessment. We assessed associations between the occurrence of low (Z-score of <=-1) or very low (Z-score of <=-2) BMD, fractures, and vertebral fractures and demographic, treatment -related, endocrine, and lifestyle-related factors using logistic regression analysis. Findings: Between April 29, 2016, and Jan 22, 2020, 3996 (64 center dot 8%) of 6165 individuals from the DCCSS LATER cohort were invited to participate, of whom 2003 (50 center dot 1%) were enrolled (mean age at participation was 33 center dot 1 years [SD 7 center dot 2], 966 [48 center dot 2%] were female, and 1037 [51 center dot 8%] were male [data on ethnicity and race were not available due to national policies]). 1548 (77 center dot 3%) had evaluable DXA scans for assessment of BMD, 1892 (94 center dot 5%) provided medical history of fractures, and 249 (12 center dot 4%) were assessed for vertebral fractures. 559 (36 center dot 1%) of 1548 had low BMD at any site, and 149 (9 center dot 6%) had very low BMD at any site. The standardised incidence ratio of any first fracture was 3 center dot 53 (95% CI 3 center dot 06-4 center dot 06) for male participants and 5 center dot 35 (4 center dot 46-6 center dot 52) for female participants. 33 (13 center dot 3%) of 249 participants had vertebral fractures. Male sex, underweight, high carboplatin dose, any dose of cranial radiotherapy, hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism, low physical activity, and severe vitamin D deficiency were associated with low BMD at any site and male sex, underweight, cranial radiotherapy, growth hormone deficiency, and severe vitamin D deficiency were associated with very low BMD at any site. Additionally, male sex, former and current smoking, and very low lumbar spine BMD were associated with any fractures, whereas older age at follow-up, previous treatment with platinum compounds, growth hormone deficiency, and low physical activity were specifically associated with vertebral fractures. Interpretation: Survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk of any first fracture. Very low lumbar spine BMD was associated with fractures, highlighting the importance of active BMD surveillance in high-risk survivors (ie, those treated with cranial, craniospinal, or total body irradiation). Moreover, our results indicate that intensive surveillance and timely interventions for endocrine disorders and vitamin deficiencies might improve bone health in childhood cancer survivors, but this needs to be assessed in future studies. Show less
Bank, P.C.D.; Jacobs, L.H.J.; Berg, S.A.A. van den; Deutekom, H.W.M. van; Hamann, D.; Molenkamp, R.; ... ; Oosterhuis, W.P. 2021
The in vitro diagnostic medical devices regulation (IVDR) will take effect in May 2022. This regulation has a large impact on both the manufacturers of in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD) and... Show moreThe in vitro diagnostic medical devices regulation (IVDR) will take effect in May 2022. This regulation has a large impact on both the manufacturers of in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD) and clinical laboratories. For clinical laboratories, the IVDR poses restrictions on the use of laboratory developed tests (LDTs). To provide a uniform interpretation of the IVDR for colleagues in clinical practice, the IVDR Task Force was created by the scientific societies of laboratory specialties in the Netherlands. A guidance document with explanations and interpretations of relevant passages of the IVDR was drafted to help laboratories prepare for the impact of this new legislation. Feedback from interested parties and stakeholders was collected and used to further improve the document. Here we would like to present our approach to our European colleagues and inform them about the impact of the IVDR and, importantlywewould like to present potentially useful approaches to fulfill the requirements of the IVDR for LDTs. Show less
Pool, J.D.N.D. de; Berg, S.A.A. van den; Pilgram, G.S.K.; Ballieux, B.E.P.B.; Westerlaken, L.A.J. van der 2018
USF1 (upstream stimulatory factor 1) is a transcription factor associated with familial combined hyperlipidemia and coronary artery disease in humans. However, whether USF1 is beneficial or... Show moreUSF1 (upstream stimulatory factor 1) is a transcription factor associated with familial combined hyperlipidemia and coronary artery disease in humans. However, whether USF1 is beneficial or detrimental to cardiometabolic health has not been addressed. By inactivating USF1 in mice, we demonstrate protection against diet-induced dyslipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and atherosclerosis. The favorable plasma lipid profile, including increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and decreased triglycerides, was coupled with increased energy expenditure due to activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT). Usf1 inactivation directs triglycerides from the circulation to BAT for combustion via a lipoprotein lipase-dependent mechanism, thus enhancing plasma triglyceride clearance. Mice lacking Usf1 displayed increased BAT-facilitated, diet-induced thermogenesis with up-regulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, as well as increased BAT activity even at thermoneutrality and after BAT sympathectomy. A direct effect of USF1 on BAT activation was demonstrated by an amplified adrenergic response in brown adipocytes after Usf1 silencing, and by augmented norepinephrine-induced thermogenesis in mice lacking Usf1. In humans, individuals carrying SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) alleles that reduced USF1 mRNA expression also displayed a beneficial cardiometabolic profile, featuring improved insulin sensitivity, a favorable lipid profile, and reduced atherosclerosis. Our findings identify a new molecular link between lipid metabolism and energy expenditure, and point to the potential of USF1 as a therapeutic target for cardiometabolic disease. Show less
