Late cognitive and adaptive outcomes of patients with neuroblastoma‐associated opsoclonus‐myoclonus‐ataxia‐syndrome: A report from the Children's Oncology Group

Abstract

BackgroundOpsoclonus‐myoclonus‐ataxia syndrome (OMAS) is a rare autoimmune disorder of the nervous system presenting with abnormal eye and limb movements, altered gait, and increased irritability. Two to four percent of children diagnosed with neuroblastoma have neuroblastoma‐associated OMAS (NA‐OMAS). These children typically present with non‐high‐risk neuroblastoma that is cured with surgery, with or without chemotherapy. Despite excellent overall survival, patients with NA‐OMAS can have significant persistent neurological and developmental issues.ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe long‐term neurocognitive and adaptive functioning of patients with NA‐OMAS treated with multimodal therapy, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on Children's Oncology Group (COG) protocol ANBL00P3.MethodsOf 53 children enrolled on ANBL00P3, 25 submitted evaluable neurocognitive data at diagnosis and at least one additional time point within 2 years and were included in the analyses. Adaptive development was assessed via the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, and validated, age‐appropriate measures of intellectual function were also administered.ResultsTwenty‐one of the 25 patients in this cohort ultimately received IVIG. Descriptive spaghetti plots suggest that this cohort demonstrated stable long‐term cognitive functioning and adaptive development over time. This cohort also demonstrated decreased OMAS scores over time consistent with improved OMAS symptoms.ConclusionsWhile statistical significance is limited by small sample size and loss to follow‐up over 10 years, findings suggest stable long‐term cognitive and adaptive functioning over time in this treated cohort.