Karyotyping along with a 3-probe fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) strategy was used to risk stratify therapy in 303 children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Of the 166 patients risk stratified, karyotype identified 91 (55%). FISH identified all karyotypes accurately, with the exception of hypodiploidy, and risk stratified an additional 75 patients. The frequency of ETV6-RUNX1 is lower and high hyperdiploidy, higher than reported in the west. An adapted 3-probe FISH strategy identified two patients with ETV6-ABL1 fusion who received imatinib. In limited-resource settings, a 3-probe FISH approach provides a practical approach for risk-stratified therapy in childhood ALL.

Summary The feasibility of bortezomib (BZB) in induction and reduced cytarabine doses in intensification was evaluated in children with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (rALL) at a single centre in India. Of 55 children with rALL, 23 received supportive care and 7 refused treatment, with a median survival of 2 (interquartile range 1–6) months. Twenty‐two (88%) of 25 children who were treated achieved second remission and 9 (69%) of 13 had end‐of‐induction minimal residual disease of <10−4. The lower cytarabine dose was associated with decreased hospitalisation. One‐year event‐free and overall survival for the treated group was 74·7% (95% confidence interval 52–88) and 79·6% (58–91) respectively.

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Aberrant expression of the WNT signaling pathway has been associated with cancer progression and recurrence. Research over the decades has led to development of WNT-targetable small molecules, but has faced challenges in translating to clinics. Unlike WNT/β-catenin inhibitors, WNT5A-mimicking peptide, Foxy5 has shown encouraging efficacy in impairing metastasis of cancers with low or absent WNT5A expression. Recent patent application US20210008149 advocates the implication of Foxy5 for treatment and prevention of cancer relapse. The inventors have demonstrated the anti-stemness activity of Foxy5 in mice xenograft model via suppressing the expression of colonic cancer stem cell markers. Foxy5 also exhibits non-toxic nature when administered alone or in synergy with standard chemotherapy thus strengthening its candidature in the field of cancer therapeutics.

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