scholarly journals Clinical Outcome of De Novo Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) with 11q23/Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) Gene Rearrangements

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 5342-5342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talha Badar ◽  
Hagop M. Kantarjian ◽  
Susan O'Brien ◽  
Guillermo Garcia-Manero ◽  
Elias Jabbour ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: The MLL gene on located on 11q23 plays an essential role in positive regulation of gene expression in early embryonic development and hematopoiesis. Fusion genes, such as MLL-AF4 resulting from t(4:11)(q21;q23), alter normal cellular proliferation and differentiation, favoring leukemogenesis. The DOT1L histone methyltransferase associated with MLL appears to be required for maintenance of ALL. MLL-AF4 is detected in about 10% of de novo B-lymphoblastic leukemia or 30=40% of pro-B ALL subtypes. The 11q23/MLL subtype of ALL has been associated with extremely poor outcomes. We conducted a retrospective analysis of de novo adult ALL with 11q23/MLL gene rearrangements. Methods: Overall the database included 74 pts with 11q23/MLL gene rearrangements referred to our institution between 1980 and 2014. Of these, 20 (27%) pts were relapsed/refractory, 4 (5%) were minimally pretreated, 5 (7%) were inevaluable for response, 3 (4%) had concomitant Philadelphia chromosome, 2 (3%) were T-lineage, 2 (3%) were mature B-ALL. The remaining 38 cases comprised the study cohort evaluated with respect to pretreatment characteristics and outcome measures such as response to therapy, remission duration (CRD), and survival (OS). Results: Baseline characteristics of the cohort included median age 44 yrs (range, 20-75); 26% were older than 60 yrs. Ten (26%) pts had a prior malignancy and were designated secondary ALL. Five (13%) pts had CNS disease at presentation. Median WBC count was 69.8 K/uL (range, 0.5-612); 24 (63%) pts had WBC > 30 K/uL. Nineteen (50%) pts had serum LDH > 1400 U/L. Co-expression of myeloid markers (CD13, CD33 +/- CD117) was noted in 6 (16%) pts. Distribution of the 11q23/MLL gene aberrancies were: t(4;11) (q21; q23) in 25 (66%) pts, 11q23 without translocation partner in 10 (26%) pts, and t(11;19)(q23;p13.1) in 3 (8%) pts. Thirty two (84%) pts were treated per the hyper-CVAD (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone alternating with high dose methotrexate and cytarabine) regimen (3 [10%] received concurrent rituximab) and 6 (16%) pts were treated per the augmented BFM regimen. Overall response rate was 95%; complete remission (CR) in 92% and CR without platelet recovery (CRp) in 3%. Overall median CRD was 26.3 mos (range 0.2-93+ mos); median OS was 24.2 mos. Overall, the 5-yr CRD and OS rates were 19% and 26%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 60 mos (range, 4.8-173+ mos). Median OS in pts with 11q23 without chromosomal translocation was 48.5 mos, compared with 24 mos for t(11; 19) and 13.3 mos for t(4; 11) (p= 0.07) (Fig. 1). There were no differences in outcomes by older age or designation as secondary ALL. Conclusion: The 11q23/MLL positive B-lymphoblastic subsets are associated with differentially inferior outcomes, although MLL-AF4 remains the ALL subset associated with highest risk of disease recurrence particularly in the absence of allogeneic stem cell transplantation; the relatively rarity of these subsets poses challenges in establishing the optimal treatment strategies. Therapeutic approaches incorporating hypomethylating agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and CAR-T cells could improve these dismal outcomes; targeted agents such as DOT1L inhibitors are under investigation in clinical trials. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 4851-4851
Author(s):  
Tomasz Szczepanski ◽  
Anna Gaworczyk ◽  
Claus Meyer ◽  
Joanna Bulsa ◽  
Iwona Malinowska ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives and aims of the study: The MLL oncogene on chromosome 11q23 undergoes various translocations in acute leukemias. MLL gene rearrangements are associated with worse outcome in infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), while t(4;11) is a high-risk factor in children with ALL > 1 year of age. The prognostic value of MLL gene rearrangements in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains to be determined. In this study, we aimed at comprehensive analysis of the incidence and spectrum of MLL gene rearrangements in a large cohort of pediatric acute leukemias in Poland. Material and Methods: The study group comprised 355 children including 271 patients with de novo ALL, 24 children with relapsed ALL, 56 children with AML, three children with relapsed AML and a patient with acute bi-lineage leukemia. The presence of MLL rearrangements was determined with split-signal fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Partner genes rearranged to MLL locus were identified with long-distance inverse PCR at the genomic DNA level. Results: MLL rearrangements were found in 18 patients with de novo ALL, 12 infants and six children > 1 year of age (6.6%). They included 12 t(4;11) with MLL-AFF1 fusion, two t(11;19) with MLL-MLLT1 fusion, one t(9;11) with MLL-MLLT3 fusion and one t(10;11) translocation with two gene fusions MLL-MLLT10 and PIWIL4-MLL. MLL rearrangements were also present in two patients with relapsed ALL. MLL rearrangement characterized 11 patients with de novo AML [four t(9;11) with MLL-MLLT3 fusion, one t(11;19) with MLL-ELL fusion, one (1;11) with MLL-EPS15 fusion, and a single t(1;11;17)] and one patient with secondary AML after ALL treatment [t(11;19)], which comprises 22% of all AML patients. This incidence is higher than usually described in literature (approximately 10–15%). Interestingly, in patient with t(1;11;17) two in-frame gene fusions were identified: MLL-MLLT11 and MYO18A-MLL, with the latter previously not reported. MLL gene rearrangement [t(9;11)], was also found in one of three relapsed AML cases. In a patient with acute bi-lineage leukemia both lymphoblasts and myeloblasts displayed t(4;11) translocation. Interestingly MLL-AFF1 fusion in this patient was accompanied by the fusion of the distal part of MLL to KIAA0999 gene on chromosome 11q23.3. Conclusions: In ALL patients MLL gene rearrangements are most frequent in infants (80% of cases) and very infrequent in older children (< 2%). Application of split-signal FISH as a screening for MLL gene rearrangements revealed unprecedentedly high incidence of these aberrations in childhood AML. Molecular analysis of MLL gene fusions and breakpoints shows several different mechanisms leading to these chromosome aberrations.


Blood ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
RH Herzig ◽  
SN Wolff ◽  
HM Lazarus ◽  
GL Phillips ◽  
C Karanes ◽  
...  

Abstract Fifty-seven patients with refractory acute leukemia were treated with high-dose cytosine arabinoside to establish the maximum tolerated dose and duration and to determine the antileukemic activity. The maximum tolerated regimen was found to be 3 g/sq m every 12 hr for 6 days. At this dose, nonhematologic toxicity was limited to conjunctivitis in approximately half of the patients, and liver toxicity (transient elevations in transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, or bilirubin) was frequently observed, but neither was dose-limiting. Extending the duration of treatment to 8 days resulted in excessive diarrhea and skin toxicity (painful erythema with bullae), while increasing the dose to 4.5 g/sq m q. 12 hr for 6 days resulted in severe cerebellar toxicity. Myelosuppression was severe, but was not related to the intensity of treatment; granulocyte recovery occurred a median of 28 days (range 22- 40 days) after initiating therapy, and platelet recovery occurred after a median of 25 days (range 16–41 days). Antileukemic activity was evaluable in the 46 patients who survived at least 3 wk. Complete remissions were obtained in 1 of 6 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in accelerated phase and 1 of 3 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. A more detailed analysis of response was possible for the 37 evaluable patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia: 70% of these patients responded, with 51% complete remissions. The median unmaintained response was 4 mo (range 2–26+ mo). The complete response rate was higher in patients who received at least 12 doses of high-dose cytosine arabinoside compared to shorter regimens [17/28 (61%) versus 2/9 (22%), p less than 0.05]. Resistance to cytosine arabinoside in conventional doses was documented in 11 patients, 5 of whom responded (2 complete remissions) to high-dose regimens. We conclude that high-dose cytosine arabinoside in the maximally tolerated regimen of 3 g/sq m every 12 hr for 6 days has substantial antileukemic activity in patients refractory to standard therapy. Durable unmaintained remissions can be achieved, even in patients who fail to respond to cytosine arabinoside in conventional doses.


Blood ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 85 (12) ◽  
pp. 3754-3761 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Haas ◽  
B Witt ◽  
R Mohle ◽  
H Goldschmidt ◽  
S Hohaus ◽  
...  

A retrospective analysis of long-term hematopoiesis was performed in a group of 145 consecutive patients who had received high-dose therapy with peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) support between May 1985 and December 1993. Twenty-two patients had acute myelogenous leukemia, nine had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 43 had Hodgkin's disease, 57 had non- Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 14 patients had multiple myeloma. Eighty-four patients were male and 61 female, with a median age of 37 years (range, 16 to 58 years). In 46 patients, PBPC were collected after cytotoxic chemotherapy alone, while 99 patients received cytokines either during steady-state hematopoiesis or post-chemotherapy. Sixty patients were treated with dose-escalated polychemotherapy, and 85 patients had a conditioning therapy including hyperfractionated total body irradiation at a total dose of 14.4 Gy. The duration of severe pancytopenia posttransplantation was inversely related to the number of reinfused granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) and CD34+ cells. Threshold quantities of 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells per kilogram or 12.0 x 10(4) CFU-GM per kilogram became evident and were associated with rapid neutrophil and platelet recovery within less than 18 and 14 days, respectively. These numbers were also predictive for long-term reconstitution, indicating that normal blood counts are likely to be achieved within less than 10 months after transplantation. Conversely, 12 patients were autografted with a median of 1.75 x 10(4) CFU-GM per kilogram resulting in delayed recovery to platelet counts of greater than 150 x 10(9)/L between 1 and 6 years. Our study includes bone marrow examinations in 50 patients performed at a median follow-up time of 10 months (range, 1 to 85 months) posttransplantation. A comparison with normal volunteers showed a 3.2-fold smaller proportion of bone marrow CD34+ cells, which was paralleled by an even more pronounced reduction in the plating efficiency of CFU-GM and burst-forming unit-erythroid. No secondary graft failure was observed, even in patients autografted with relatively low numbers of progenitor cells. This suggests that either the pretransplant regimens were not myeloablative, allowing autochthonous recovery, or that a small number of cells capable of perpetual self-renewal were included in the autograft products.


Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 4532-4538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Mrózek ◽  
Kristiina Heinonen ◽  
David Lawrence ◽  
Andrew J. Carroll ◽  
Prasad R.K. Koduru ◽  
...  

Abstract Following reports of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) showing that patients with t(9; 11)(p22; q23) have a better prognosis than those with translocations between 11q23 and other chromosomes, we compared response to therapy and survival of 24 adult de novo AML patients with t(9; 11) with those of 23 patients with other 11q23 translocations [t(11q23)]. Apart from a higher proportion of French-American-British (FAB) M5 subtype in the t(9; 11) group (83% v 43%, P = .006), the patients with t(9; 11) did not differ significantly from patients with t(11q23) in terms of their presenting clinical or hematologic features. Patients with t(9; 11) more frequently had an extra chromosome(s) 8 or 8q as secondary abnormalities (46% v 9%, P = .008). All patients received standard cytarabine and daunorubicin induction therapy, and most of them also received cytarabine-based intensification treatment. Two patients, both with t(9; 11), underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in first complete remission (CR). Nineteen patients (79%) with t(9; 11) and 13 (57%) with t(11q23) achieved a CR (P = .13). The clinical outcome of patients with t(9; 11) was significantly better: the median CR duration was 10.7 versus 8.9 months (P = .02), median event-free survival was 6.2 versus 2.2 months (P = .009), and median survival was 13.2 versus 7.7 months (P = .009). All patients with t(11q23) have died, whereas seven (29%) patients with t(9; 11) remain alive in first CR. Seven of eight patients with t(9; 11) who received postremission regimens with cytarabine at a dose of 100 (four patients) or 400 mg/m2 (2 patients) or who did not receive postremission therapy (2 patients) have relapsed. In contrast, 7 (64%) of 11 patients who received intensive postremission chemotherapy with high-dose cytarabine (at a dose 3 g/m2) (5 patients), or underwent BMT (2 patients) remain in continuous CR. We conclude that the outcome of adults with de novo AML and t(9; 11) is more favorable than that of adults with other 11q23 translocations; this is especially true for t(9; 11) patients who receive intensive postremission therapy.


Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 609-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Davi ◽  
C Gocke ◽  
S Smith ◽  
J Sklar

At presentation, bone marrow specimens from over 25% of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) display more than two clonal rearrangements of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) genes in Southern blot analyses. Nucleotide sequence analysis has shown predominantly different V(H)DJ(H) junctions among these genes, leading to the frequent description of such cases as oligoclonal leukemias. In the present study, we have analyzed the lgH genes from four patients whose leukemic cells contained different patterns of lgH gene rearrangements between presentation and relapse. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the lgH genes showed that three mechanisms could account for these differences: de novo V(H)DJ(H) rearrangement, V(H) to DJ(H) recombination, and V(H) replacement. In all cases, more than two totally different V(H)DJ(H) rearrangements appeared during evolution of the disease, formally consistent with the conclusion that these tumors were composed of apparently unrelated clones. However, the retention of some of the antigen receptor gene rearrangements, as well as the persistence of a chromosomal marker in two cases, indicated that these leukemias had a monoclonal origin. These findings support the hypothesis that some ALLs arise from a lymphoid progenitor cell at a stage of lymphocyte development before the onset of IgH gene rearrangement. These leukemic lymphocyte progenitors generate malignant daughter cells capable of an in vivo maturation that involves the completion of multiple different lgH rearrangements as well as the modification of preexisting rearrangements by V(H) to DJ(H) recombination or by a V(H) replacement.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 4594-4594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian McClune ◽  
Francis Buadi ◽  
Naveed Aslam ◽  
Donna Przepiorka

Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and high-grade lymphoma have a 10–20% risk of meningeal disease during induction and in remission when given standard-dose chemotherapy. This risk has been reduced to about 1% using intrathecal prophylaxis with cytarabine and methotrexate in addition to the systemic regimen of hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (hyperCVAD) alternating with high-dose methotrexate-cytarabine (MA). The discomfort and potential adverse events with frequent lumbar punctures may impair patient compliance. Liposomal cytarabine (Depocyt) is an intrathecal preparation of cytarabine with a prolonged half-life. Use of Depocyt could potentially reduce the number of lumbar punctures needed for routine neuroprophylaxis. We reviewed the tolerability and activity of Depocyt for neuroprophylaxis in 15 patients treated with the hyperCVAD regimen. The cohort included 12 males and 3 females of median age 48 years (range, 23–72 years) with precursor B-cell ALL (8), T-cell ALL (3), Burkitt lymphoma and HIV (2), Ph-positive ALL (1), and lymphoblastic lymphoma (1). The patients received a total of 65 cycles of systemic chemotherapy, 36 with hyperCVAD and 29 with MA. Depocyt was given IT or IO in 33 cycles, methotrexate IT in 5, and no intrathecal therapy in 27. When treated with Depocyt, patients also received dexamethasone pre- and postmedication.. The planned dose of Depocyt was 50 mg for all patients, but after one serious adverse event, the dose was reduced to 25 mg when administered by Omaya. Depocyt was instilled on a median of day 8 of the cycle (range, −4 to 13). To date, a meningeal relapse has not occurred in any of the patients. Although minor neurological events (transient headache or neckache) were not uncommon, there were two serious adverse events. One patient developed a severe but transient headache during the fourth cycle and was readmitted for pain control. A second patient received Depocyt four days prior to MA. Shortly after completing chemotherapy, this patient developed hyponatremia and somnolence. The neurological status normalized after several days with supportive care alone. Since leakage of Depocyt into the peripheral blood might cause myelosuppression, hematologic recovery was also assessed. There was a significant difference in time to ANC>500 (p=0.02) and platelets >20,000 (p=0.005) between hyperCVAD and MA cycles, so hematologic recovery was assessed separately for these regimens, as shown in the Table. Median Day of Hematopoietic Recovery Cycle Outcome All Cycles Depocyt No IT PX MTX IT “1” indicates the platelet count did not fall below 20,000 during that cycle. HyperCVAD ANC>500 15 15 14 16.5 Plts>20,000 1 1 1 1 MA ANC>500 16 16 16 15 Plts>20,000 13 13 14 15 There were no significant differences in time to neutrophil or platelet recovery between neuroprophylaxis regimens. Three patients received cranial or craniospinal radiation to compete neuroprophylaxis prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation without notable neurotoxicity after transplantation. We conclude that it is safe to use a single dose of Depocyt (50 mg IT or 25 mg IO) following completion of administration of chemotherapy (around Days 6 – 8) during each cycle of the hyperCVAD regimen. This approach should be studied in a randomized trial to further assess its efficacy in comparison to more frequent instillations of methotrexate/cytarabine.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1858-1858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. DeAngelo ◽  
Lewis B. Silverman ◽  
Stephen Couban ◽  
Suzanne Dahlberg ◽  
Philip C. Amrein ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In children with ALL, current chemotherapy regimens produce an event-free survival (EFS) of greater than 80%. Adults with ALL have a much poorer prognosis, with EFS rates of 30–40%. Recent retrospective studies suggest that young adult patients may have superior outcomes when treated on more intensive pediatric regimens, but prospective studies are lacking. A phase II trial was performed in an effort to determine if an intensive pediatric regimen can be administered to adults with ALL. Methods: The therapeutic backbone of this protocol is based upon the high-risk arm of the DFCI Childhood ALL Consortium Protocol 00–01. Patients with newly diagnosed ALL were enrolled and received intensive multiagent remission induction chemotherapy, which included doxorubicin, prednisone, vincristine, high-dose methotrexate, high-dose asparaginase, and triple intrathecal therapy. CNS prophylaxis included triple intrathecal therapy and cranial radiation. Intensification therapy consisted of 3 week courses of doxorubicin, vincristine, dexamethasone, 6-mercaptopurine and 30 weeks of high-dose asparaginase that was individually dosed in order to maintain asparagine depletion. Continuation therapy consisted of 3 week courses of vincristine, dexamethasone, methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine for a total of 2 years from an established complete remission (CR). Results: 71 patients have been enrolled to date. Although there was no initial upper age restriction, the protocol was amended to include only patients between the ages of 18–50 with de novo ALL; this amendment excluded 4 patients from the analysis. Two patients were enrolled but never received therapy. Demographic data are available for 61 evaluable patients. The median age was 28 years, (range, 18–50), 65% were male, 75% had B-lineage phenotype, and 13% were Philadelphia chromosome positive. In the 54 patients for whom response data was available, the 4 week CR rate was 82%. Among the patients who had the opportunity to complete Intensification therapy, asparaginase data was available for 23 patients, 18 (78%) of whom completed all 30 weeks. One death occurred during induction therapy from sepsis. Four patients developed grade 3 pancreatitis and one patient died of grade 5 pancreatitis. The latter case represented the only remission death on study. There were two cases of osteonecrosis, 10 cases of thrombosis/embolism and 12 cases of neutropenic infection that occurred during the post-remission period. At the median follow-up time of 18.4 months, the estimated EFS is 75% (95%CI: 61–89%) and the overall survival is 79% (95%CI: 65–93%). Conclusions: These results suggest that administration of a dose intensified pediatric-like strategy is feasible. Although the high EFS rate requires longer follow up and larger confirmatory studies, such intensive treatment of young adults with ALL could represent a major therapeutic advance.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 2814-2814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhad Ravandi ◽  
Deborah Thomas ◽  
Hagop Kantarjian ◽  
Stefan Faderl ◽  
Charles Koller ◽  
...  

Abstract Combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy with imatinib has improved the outcome for patients with Ph+ ALL and resulted in eradication of minimal residual disease and durable remissions without allogeneic stem cell transplant in some patients (Thomas D, Blood, 2004; Yanada M, JCO, 2006; Wassmann B, Blood, 2006; de Labarthe A, Blood, 2007). The dual Src and Abl inhibitor dasatinib has a significantly higher in vitro kinase inhibition against BCR-ABL and has demonstrated potent clinical activity in patients with imatinib-resistant lymphoid blast phase CML (CML-LB) and Ph+ ALL with over 50% complete cytogenetic responses (CG CR) in phase I and II trials but with median progression free survival of only 3 to 4 months. We are conducting a phase II trial in which patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed Ph+ ALL or CML-LB receive dasatinib 50 mg po bid for the first 14 days of each of 8 cycles of alternating hyperCVAD and high dose cytarabine and methotrexate. Patients in complete remission (CR) continue to receive maintenance dasatinib 50 mg po bid daily and vincristine and prednisone monthly for 2 years followed by dasatinib indefinitely. To date 15 newly diagnosed patients with Ph+ ALL (cohort I) and 4 patients with relapsed Ph+ ALL or CML-LB (cohort II) have received a median of 4 cycles (range 1 – 8); 4 patients are receiving maintenance in CR. Median age for cohort I is 55 years (range 23 – 79) and for cohort II, 43 years (range 26 – 69); 13 and 3 patients were older than 50 years, respectively. Median WBC at diagnosis for cohort I was 4.3 × 109/L (range, 0.8 – 203.4 x 109/L). Three patients had CNS involvement. Fourteen and 3 patients in the 2 cohorts are evaluable for response to induction; 2 are too early. Thirteen patients (93%) in cohort I and all evaluable patients in cohort II have achieved CR after the first cycle; 1 patient in cohort I died on day 20 from infections before response assessment; her bone marrow exam on day 14 showed no detectable disease. Ten of 11 (91%) patients in cohort I have achieved CG CR after 1 cycle; 3 are too early. Three of 4 patients in cohort II have achieved CG CR after 1 cycle; 1 had a new CG abnormality and 1 is too early. Six patients have achieved complete molecular remission after the first cycle with the lowest BCR-ABL/ABL in the other patients ranging from 0.01 to 1.91. Median time to neutrophil and platelet recovery for cohort I is 18 and 25 days and for cohort II 18.5 and 30.5 days. Grade 3 and 4 toxicity has included 7 episodes of GI bleeding as well as infections, diarrhea, hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia, elevated transaminases, and acute renal failure unrelated to treatment. With a median follow up of 4 months (range, 0 – 10), 15 patients are alive and in CR; 1 died at induction, 1 died in CR from an unrelated cardiac event, and 2 are too early. No patient has relapsed and no patient has received an allogeneic transplant. We conclude that the combination of the hyperCVAD regimen with dasatinib is feasible and can achieve early molecular remissions in patients with Ph+ ALL and CML-LB.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 587-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. DeAngelo ◽  
Suzanne Dahlberg ◽  
Lewis B. Silverman ◽  
Stephen Couban ◽  
Philip C. Amrein ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Current chemotherapy regimens in children with ALL produce event-free survival (EFS) rates of greater than 80%. In contrast, adults with ALL have a much poorer prognosis, with EFS rates of 30–40%. Recent retrospective studies suggest that young adults may have superior outcomes when treated with intensive pediatric regimens. Unfortunately, prospective studies are lacking. This phase II trial was performed to determine if an intensive pediatric regimen could be administered to adults with ALL. Methods: The therapeutic backbone of this protocol is based on the high-risk arm of the DFCI Childhood ALL Consortium Protocol 00-01. Patients with newly diagnosed ALL received induction chemotherapy, which included doxorubicin, prednisone, vincristine, high-dose methotrexate, L-asparaginase (L-asp), and triple intrathecal therapy. CNS prophylaxis included triple intrathecal therapy and cranial radiation. Intensification therapy consisted of ten 3-week courses of doxorubicin, vincristine, dexamethasone, 6-mercaptopurine and 30 weeks of L-asp that was dosed to maintain asparagine depletion, defined as an L-asp level between 0.1 and 0.14. Continuation therapy consisted of 3 week courses of vincristine, dexamethasone, methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine for a total of 2 years from an established complete remission (CR). Results: 89 patients have been enrolled and treated to date. The first 75 eligible patients were used for this analysis, 73 of whom had on-study data. Although there was no initial upper age restriction, the protocol was amended to include only patients between the ages of 18–50 with de novo ALL, which excluded 4 patients from the analysis. The median age was 28 years, (range, 18–50), 60% were male, 74% had B-lineage phenotype, and 20% were Philadelphia chromosome positive. The CR rate after 4 weeks was 84%. 39 patients had the opportunity to complete L-asp intensification therapy, and 27 (69%) completed all 30 weeks. The median L-asp dose was 16,582 U/m2 (starting dose was 12,500 U/m2). One death occurred during induction therapy (sepsis). Nine patients developed pancreatitis, one of whom died. This last case represented the only remission death on study. Two patients developed osteonecrosis, 14 thrombosis/embolism and 23 neutropenic infection during the post-remission period. With a median follow-up time of 15.3 months, the estimated 2-yr EFS is 72.5% (95%CI: 61–84%) and the estimated 2-yr overall survival (OS) is 77.1% (95%CI: 67–95%). Conclusions: The administration of a dose intensified pediatric regimen to adults with ALL is feasible. Although the high EFS and OS rates require longer follow up, such intensive treatment strategies for young adults with ALL could represent a major therapeutic advance.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 836-836
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Thomas ◽  
Hagop M. Kantarjian ◽  
Stefan Faderl ◽  
William G. Wierda ◽  
Jorge Cortes ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 836 The hyper-CVAD regimen is an effective frontline program for de novo adult ALL and LL [Kantarjian, JCO 18:547, 2000; Kantarjian, Cancer 101:2788, 2004, Thomas, Blood 104:1624, 2004]. Intensive chemotherapy with hyper-CVAD (fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine [VCR], doxorubicin, dexamethasone) alternates with high dose methotrexate (MTX) and cytarabine every 21 days for 8 courses, followed by maintenance therapy with POMP (6-mercaptopurine, MTX, VCR, prednisone). Historical CR rate was 92% with 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of 38%. The regimen was modified in 1999. Induction chemotherapy was given in a protective environment owing to higher mortality in patients (pts) aged 60 years or older (17% vs 3%). Course 2 of liposomal daunorubicin and cytarabine was incorporated owing to reports suggesting benefit of early anthracycline intensification. Rituximab 375 mg/m2 (days 1 & 11 of hyper-CVAD, days 1 & 8 of methotrexate-cytarabine) was given if CD20 expression was 20% or greater due to its association with disease recurrence [Thomas, Blood 113:6330, 2009]. The maintenance phase was extended to 30 months with additional intensifications owing to late relapses after completion of POMP therapy. Newly diagnosed or primary refractory (1 course only) pts with ALL (n=204) or LL (n=27) were treated on the two sequential studies. Burkitt-type leukemia/lymphoma (BLL) and Philadelphia positive ALL were treated on alternative protocols. From May 2000 to December 2001, 69 pts were treated with modified hyper-CVAD with anthracycline intensification (9 induction-consolidation courses). Course 2 was then eliminated from the regimen (8 courses), with an additional 162 pts treated to date (pts age 30 years or less are now treated with augmented BFM). Median age was 43 yrs (range, 15–83). CD20 expression was noted in 49%. Overall CR rate of the evaluable group (n=225) was 93%; 7 pts achieved PR (LL with residual disease), five failed to respond, and 4 died during the induction phase. Three-yr CRD and OS rates were 70% and 62%, respectively after a median follow-up of 50 months (range, 2–106+). In the younger CD20 positive precursor B-cell ALL subset (n=99), rituximab improved outcome compared to historical experience with hyper-CVAD alone (n=127), with 3-yr CRD rates (75% vs 45%, p<.001) and OS rates (65% vs 38%, p<.001) approaching those of their CD20 negative counterparts. In contrast to the Burkitt experience, rituximab was not beneficial for the elderly subgroup (OS rates 28% vs 34%, p NS). Anthracycline intensification did not improve outcome. The addition of rituximab to the hyper-CVAD regimen appears to benefit the younger pts (age less than 60 yrs) with CD20 positive precursor B-cell ALL. Incorporation of rituximab and other monoclonal antibodies (e.g., ofatumumab, epratuzumab) into frontline chemotherapy regimens for ALL should be investigated systematically. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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