Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia epidemiology, treatment approaches, and outcomes in africa: A review of the literature
Abstract Background Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a challenging disease in low- and middle-income countries with limited African data. This study reviewed the existing literature regarding paediatric AML in Africa. Methods A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Google...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14552-8 |
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| author | Richard Nyeko Mariana Kruger Nixon Niyonzima Verhulst Stijn Jaques van Heerden |
| author_facet | Richard Nyeko Mariana Kruger Nixon Niyonzima Verhulst Stijn Jaques van Heerden |
| author_sort | Richard Nyeko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a challenging disease in low- and middle-income countries with limited African data. This study reviewed the existing literature regarding paediatric AML in Africa. Methods A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Research4Life, and African Journals Online for published studies on paediatric AML in Africa, with keywords acute myeloid leukaemia, children, Africa, and country-specific names for all the African countries. The review included all abstracts and publications from Africa from January 2004 until January 2024, involving children between 0 and 17 years old with outcome data. Results Of 164 studies identified, 22 were included in the data analysis, with 2230 children included. Treatment regimens varied widely. Complete remission rates ranged between 23.1% and 88.9% (median 55.0%) for AML in general and between 72.6% and 95.0% for acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). The results also showed high rates of early deaths (5 − 96%; median 29.3%) and treatment-related mortality rates (11.3 − 47.1%; median 21.0%) among children with AML in the African setting. The five-year probability of event-free survival ranged from 14.8% for high-risk disease to 69.4% for APL. The five-year probability of overall survival ranged between 14% and 31.9% for non-APL (median 29.5%). Treatment abandonment varied between 3% and 50% (median 12.7%). Only 14 patients received a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Conclusion There is limited data regarding paediatric AML and outcomes in Africa, with variable treatment regimens, treatment outcomes, early deaths, treatment-related mortality, and abandonment rates. Adapted treatment protocols adjusted to local settings should be implemented with improved supportive health care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7d3128add5ef45a2ac2e9d962847dcce |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2407 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Cancer |
| spelling | doaj-art-7d3128add5ef45a2ac2e9d962847dcce2025-08-20T04:01:36ZengBMCBMC Cancer1471-24072025-07-0125111710.1186/s12885-025-14552-8Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia epidemiology, treatment approaches, and outcomes in africa: A review of the literatureRichard Nyeko0Mariana Kruger1Nixon Niyonzima2Verhulst Stijn3Jaques van Heerden4Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Lira UniversityDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch UniversityDirectorate of Research and Training, Uganda Cancer InstituteDepartment of Paediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital, University of AntwerpDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch UniversityAbstract Background Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a challenging disease in low- and middle-income countries with limited African data. This study reviewed the existing literature regarding paediatric AML in Africa. Methods A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Research4Life, and African Journals Online for published studies on paediatric AML in Africa, with keywords acute myeloid leukaemia, children, Africa, and country-specific names for all the African countries. The review included all abstracts and publications from Africa from January 2004 until January 2024, involving children between 0 and 17 years old with outcome data. Results Of 164 studies identified, 22 were included in the data analysis, with 2230 children included. Treatment regimens varied widely. Complete remission rates ranged between 23.1% and 88.9% (median 55.0%) for AML in general and between 72.6% and 95.0% for acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). The results also showed high rates of early deaths (5 − 96%; median 29.3%) and treatment-related mortality rates (11.3 − 47.1%; median 21.0%) among children with AML in the African setting. The five-year probability of event-free survival ranged from 14.8% for high-risk disease to 69.4% for APL. The five-year probability of overall survival ranged between 14% and 31.9% for non-APL (median 29.5%). Treatment abandonment varied between 3% and 50% (median 12.7%). Only 14 patients received a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Conclusion There is limited data regarding paediatric AML and outcomes in Africa, with variable treatment regimens, treatment outcomes, early deaths, treatment-related mortality, and abandonment rates. Adapted treatment protocols adjusted to local settings should be implemented with improved supportive health care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14552-8Acute myeloid leukaemiaPaediatricEpidemiologyOutcomesAfrica |
| spellingShingle | Richard Nyeko Mariana Kruger Nixon Niyonzima Verhulst Stijn Jaques van Heerden Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia epidemiology, treatment approaches, and outcomes in africa: A review of the literature BMC Cancer Acute myeloid leukaemia Paediatric Epidemiology Outcomes Africa |
| title | Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia epidemiology, treatment approaches, and outcomes in africa: A review of the literature |
| title_full | Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia epidemiology, treatment approaches, and outcomes in africa: A review of the literature |
| title_fullStr | Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia epidemiology, treatment approaches, and outcomes in africa: A review of the literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia epidemiology, treatment approaches, and outcomes in africa: A review of the literature |
| title_short | Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia epidemiology, treatment approaches, and outcomes in africa: A review of the literature |
| title_sort | paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia epidemiology treatment approaches and outcomes in africa a review of the literature |
| topic | Acute myeloid leukaemia Paediatric Epidemiology Outcomes Africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14552-8 |
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