Vedolizumab is an immunosuppressive drug that acts locally on the gastrointestinal tract, is mainly used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, and has been reported to be effective against gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (GI-aGVHD) in adults. However, there is insufficient evidence for pediatric GI-aGVHD. We used vedolizumab in three cases of GI-aGVHD aged 1.5-4.4 years. It was significantly effective in two cases and all cases had no serious side effects. Vedolizumab might be effective and safe for pediatric GI-aGVHD refractory to other treatments. Future study awaits.

Methotrexate (MTX) has been shown to impair neurocognitive outcomes. Because the cumulative dose of MTX used in the standard treatment of osteosarcoma is higher compared to the treatment of other childhood cancers, we analyzed the neurocognitive performance among 12 survivors of childhood osteosarcoma exposed to high-dose MTX at our institution. Prospective longitudinal evaluations of neurocognitive functioning using the Japanese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-4th Edition were performed. As a result, we observed age-appropriate development of neurocognitive performance among osteosarcoma survivors. In conclusion, cognitive development was not adversely affected in this cohort of childhood osteosarcoma survivors treated with HD-MTX.