Cytomegalovirus-associated stage 4S neuroblastoma relapsed stage 4

✍ Scribed by Nigro, Giovanni ;Schiavetti, Amalia ;Booth, James C. ;Clerico, Anna ;Dominici, Carlo ;Krzysztofiak, Andrzej ;Castello, Manuel

• Book ID: 102523656
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 374 KB
• Volume: 24
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0098-1532
• DOI: 10.1002/mpo.2950240311

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Neuroblastoma is one of the most frequent solid tumors in childhood, rarely recurrent after five years from diagnosis. Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a major pathogen causing congenital birth defects and severe opportunistic diseases, has been shown to have teratogenic, immunodepressive and oncogenic properties.

The case of a girl with stage 45 neuroblastoma diagnosed at three months and relapsed as stage 4 five years later is reported. In both circumstances, active CMV infection was revealed by positive CMV‐specific IgM and IgA antibodies, CMV‐DNAemia and CMV culture.

At three months, the patient presented with subcutaneous nodules, hepatosplenomegaly and increased aminotransferase levels, and the opsoclonus‐myoclonus syndrome. Mental retardation developed later on. At 5 years, relapsed neuroblastoma was preceded by a mononucleosis‐like syndrome concomitant with active CMV infection and decreased levels of immune cells and natural killer activity.

Clinical, virologic, and immunologic findings suggest an immune‐mediated pathogenic role for CMV in this tumor. © 1995 Wi1ey‐Liss Inc.