scholarly journals Efficacy and morbidity of central nervous system "prophylaxis" in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: eight years' experience with cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate

Blood ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Inati ◽  
SE Sallan ◽  
JR Cassady ◽  
S Hitchcock-Bryan ◽  
LA Clavell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Cranial Irradiation ◽  
Intrathecal Methotrexate ◽  
Cns Prophylaxis ◽  
Late Morbidity ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Between 1972 and 1979, 214 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and no evidence of central nervous system (CNS) disease prior to CNS prophylaxis were treated with 2400 rad cranial irradiation and concurrent intrathecal methotrexate. Only nine children developed CNS leukemia; five of them in the CNS only and four concurrently in the CNS and another site. Major acute effects of CNS prophylaxis were seizures in seven patients (3%). Sixty-nine children who had a minimum follow-up of 4 yr were evaluable for late effects of therapy. Small cataracts, incomplete regrowth of hair, and learning disabilities were noted. The latter occurred in 18% of patients, an incidence similar to that encountered in a normal community of school-age children. However, the incidence of learning disabilities in patients who were under 5 yr of age at the time of diagnosis was much higher, 35%. We conclude that the combination of cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate was highly efficacious. The incidence and severity of neuropsychologic abnormalities, the principal late morbidity of this treatment program, varies among reporting institutions. Prospective longitudinal studies of neuropsychologic function are necessary to better define the incidence of abnormalities. Future programs should attempt to decrease late morbidity, but must also assure equal efficacy and improve overall disease-free survival.

scholarly journals Efficacy and morbidity of central nervous system "prophylaxis" in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: eight years' experience with cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate

Blood ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-303
Author(s):  
A Inati ◽  
SE Sallan ◽  
JR Cassady ◽  
S Hitchcock-Bryan ◽  
LA Clavell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Cranial Irradiation ◽  
Intrathecal Methotrexate ◽  
Cns Prophylaxis ◽  
Late Morbidity ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Between 1972 and 1979, 214 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and no evidence of central nervous system (CNS) disease prior to CNS prophylaxis were treated with 2400 rad cranial irradiation and concurrent intrathecal methotrexate. Only nine children developed CNS leukemia; five of them in the CNS only and four concurrently in the CNS and another site. Major acute effects of CNS prophylaxis were seizures in seven patients (3%). Sixty-nine children who had a minimum follow-up of 4 yr were evaluable for late effects of therapy. Small cataracts, incomplete regrowth of hair, and learning disabilities were noted. The latter occurred in 18% of patients, an incidence similar to that encountered in a normal community of school-age children. However, the incidence of learning disabilities in patients who were under 5 yr of age at the time of diagnosis was much higher, 35%. We conclude that the combination of cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate was highly efficacious. The incidence and severity of neuropsychologic abnormalities, the principal late morbidity of this treatment program, varies among reporting institutions. Prospective longitudinal studies of neuropsychologic function are necessary to better define the incidence of abnormalities. Future programs should attempt to decrease late morbidity, but must also assure equal efficacy and improve overall disease-free survival.

scholarly journals Comparison of central nervous system prophylaxis with cranial radiation and intrathecal methotrexate versus intrathecal methotrexate alone in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Blood ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-250
Author(s):  
FS Muriel ◽  
E Svarch ◽  
S Pavlovsky ◽  
M Eppinger-Helft ◽  
J Braier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Cranial Irradiation ◽  
Intrathecal Methotrexate ◽  
Relapse Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Cns Relapse ◽  
Wbc Count

In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis with cranial irradiation plus 5 doses of intrathecal methotrexate (i.t. MTX) reduces the incidence of CNS relapse to 7%-15%. However, increased evidence of CNS delayed toxicity started to be recognized as CT scan abnormalities and neuropsychologic alterations, mainly in children. Two questions were analyzed in the present report: (1) Will further doses of i.t. methotrexate and dexamethasone (i.t. MTX- DMT) decrease the incidence of CNS relapse in patients treated early in remission with cranium irradiation plus i.t. MTX-DMT even more? (2) Is i.t. MTX-DMT given during induction and maintenance equally as effective as cranium irradiation plus i.t. MTX-DMT? A randomized study was designed to answer the first question. Incidence of primary CNS relapse in i.t. MTX-DMT-treated patients with a WBC count less than 50,000 was 11% (15 of 135 patients) and was 11% (17 of 150) in the untreated group. In patients with a WBC count greater than 50,000, it was 16% (6/37) in the treated group and 19% (6/31) in the control group. No difference was observed according to treatment in both prognostic groups. Patients in this study were retrospectively compared with a consecutive protocol in which patients received 3 doses of i.t. MTX-DMT alone during induction plus 3 doses weekly during the first month of remission and every 3 mo thereafter. The incidence of primary CNS leukemia at 60 mo in patients with a WBC count less than 50,000 was 20% in the irradiated group and 32% in the group with i.t. MTX-DMT alone. This difference was not significant. However, the relapse-free survival at 60 mo was 26% and 41%, respectively, (p less than 0.0005). The incidence of primary CNS relapse in patients with a WBC count more than 50,000 at 48 mo was 28% in the irradiated group and 42% in the nonirradiated group. The difference was not significant. The duration of complete remission was similar, remaining at 15% and 16% of patients disease-free at 48 mo, respectively. We conclude that (A) after cranial irradiation plus i.t. MTX-DMT X 5, the use of additional doses of i.t. MTX-DMT is not of further benefit in preventing CNS relapse; (B) the use of i.t. MTX-DMT alone compares similarly with cranial irradiation plus i.t. MTX-DMT in the incidence of CNS relapse; and (C) relapse-free survival and survival in patients with a WBC count less than 50,000 were significantly longer in those without cranial irradiation.

Second central nervous system prophylaxis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who relapse after elective cessation of therapy.

1983 ◽  
Vol 1 (8) ◽  
pp. 471-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Rivera ◽  
S L George ◽  
W P Bowman ◽  
D Kalwinsky ◽  
J Ochs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Preventive Treatment ◽  
Intrathecal Methotrexate ◽  
Cns Prophylaxis ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Central Nervous System

A treatment plan to achieve better disease control in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who relapse after elective cessation of therapy was assessed. The principal modifications were (1) a second preventive treatment of the central nervous system (CNS) at relapse and every six weeks throughout therapy, using intrathecal methotrexate with cytosine arabinoside, and (2) a four-week course of systemic chemotherapy given immediately before therapy was stopped a second time. Twenty-four patients were studied. There have been no meningeal relapses, in contrast to seven among 16 similar patients who were retreated without CNS prophylaxis. Although the median length of second hematologic remission was not significantly different from the outcome in the comparison group, a much higher proportion of patients (eight of 24 versus zero of 17) remain in prolonged reinduced complete remission (48-79 months). Children whose first relapse occurred later than six months after cessation of therapy had significantly longer subsequent remissions. These end results establish the value of intrathecal CNS prophylaxis in relapsed ALL and suggest that a late intensive phase of therapy will extend remissions in a substantial proportion of patients.

scholarly journals Comparison of central nervous system prophylaxis with cranial radiation and intrathecal methotrexate versus intrathecal methotrexate alone in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Blood ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
FS Muriel ◽  
E Svarch ◽  
S Pavlovsky ◽  
M Eppinger-Helft ◽  
J Braier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Cranial Irradiation ◽  
Intrathecal Methotrexate ◽  
Relapse Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Cns Relapse ◽  
Wbc Count

Abstract In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis with cranial irradiation plus 5 doses of intrathecal methotrexate (i.t. MTX) reduces the incidence of CNS relapse to 7%-15%. However, increased evidence of CNS delayed toxicity started to be recognized as CT scan abnormalities and neuropsychologic alterations, mainly in children. Two questions were analyzed in the present report: (1) Will further doses of i.t. methotrexate and dexamethasone (i.t. MTX- DMT) decrease the incidence of CNS relapse in patients treated early in remission with cranium irradiation plus i.t. MTX-DMT even more? (2) Is i.t. MTX-DMT given during induction and maintenance equally as effective as cranium irradiation plus i.t. MTX-DMT? A randomized study was designed to answer the first question. Incidence of primary CNS relapse in i.t. MTX-DMT-treated patients with a WBC count less than 50,000 was 11% (15 of 135 patients) and was 11% (17 of 150) in the untreated group. In patients with a WBC count greater than 50,000, it was 16% (6/37) in the treated group and 19% (6/31) in the control group. No difference was observed according to treatment in both prognostic groups. Patients in this study were retrospectively compared with a consecutive protocol in which patients received 3 doses of i.t. MTX-DMT alone during induction plus 3 doses weekly during the first month of remission and every 3 mo thereafter. The incidence of primary CNS leukemia at 60 mo in patients with a WBC count less than 50,000 was 20% in the irradiated group and 32% in the group with i.t. MTX-DMT alone. This difference was not significant. However, the relapse-free survival at 60 mo was 26% and 41%, respectively, (p less than 0.0005). The incidence of primary CNS relapse in patients with a WBC count more than 50,000 at 48 mo was 28% in the irradiated group and 42% in the nonirradiated group. The difference was not significant. The duration of complete remission was similar, remaining at 15% and 16% of patients disease-free at 48 mo, respectively. We conclude that (A) after cranial irradiation plus i.t. MTX-DMT X 5, the use of additional doses of i.t. MTX-DMT is not of further benefit in preventing CNS relapse; (B) the use of i.t. MTX-DMT alone compares similarly with cranial irradiation plus i.t. MTX-DMT in the incidence of CNS relapse; and (C) relapse-free survival and survival in patients with a WBC count less than 50,000 were significantly longer in those without cranial irradiation.

Serial cranial computed-tomography scans in children with leukemia given two different forms of central nervous system therapy.

1983 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. 793-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
J J Ochs ◽  
L S Parvey ◽  
J N Whitaker ◽  
W P Bowman ◽  
L Ch'ien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Ct Scan ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Clinical Situation ◽  
Cranial Irradiation ◽  
Cranial Computed Tomography ◽  
Intrathecal Methotrexate ◽  
Central Nervous System Toxicity

Cranial computed tomography (CT) was used to estimate the frequency and permanence of brain abnormalities in 108 consecutive children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Fifty-five patients received cranial irradiation (1,800 rad) with intrathecal methotrexate (RT group) and 53 patients received intravenous and intrathecal methotrexate without irradiation (IVIT group). Continuation treatment included sequential drug pairs for the RT group and periodic IVIT methotrexate for the other group. After 12 to 24 months of serial evaluation, five (9%) of the 55 patients in the RT group have had CT scan abnormalities, compared to 10 (19%) of 52 in the IVIT group (p = 0.171). Fourteen of the 15 patients with CT scan abnormalities had focal or diffuse white-matter hypodensity; these have reverted to normal in most cases, reflecting a dynamic process. While such CT findings are of concern and may be an early indicator of central nervous system toxicity, this remains to be proven. Therapy should not be altered on the basis of abnormal CT scans alone but in the context of the entire clinical situation.

Central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis in children with low risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

1987 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1443-1449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Littman ◽  
Peter Coccia ◽  
W. Archie Bleyer ◽  
John Lukens ◽  
Stuart Siegel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Cns Prophylaxis

Central Nervous System Disease in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Prophylaxis and Treatment

Hematology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 2006 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Hon Pui
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Central Nervous System Disease ◽  
Cranial Irradiation ◽  
Childhood All ◽  
Excellent Outcome ◽  
Cns Relapse

Abstract Improved treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has virtually eliminated testicular relapse. However, the control of central nervous system (CNS) leukemia remains a therapeutic challenge in childhood ALL, partly because of the late complications arising from cranial irradiation. In most current pediatric protocols, cranial irradiation (12 to 18 Gy) is given to 5% to 25% of patients—those with T-cell ALL, overt CNS disease (CNS3 status) or high-risk cytogenetics. CNS control is a less urgent concern in adults with ALL, in whom systemic relapse remains the major problem. With current approaches, approximately 2% to 10% of patients can be expected to develop CNS relapse. Children with B-cell precursor ALL who have a late CNS relapse (after an initial remission of 18 months or more) and did not receive cranial irradiation have an excellent outcome after retrieval therapy, with a 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate approaching that in newly diagnosed patients. Innovative treatment options are needed for children who develop CNS relapses after a short initial remission or after receiving cranial irradiation, and in any adults with CNS leukemia at diagnosis or relapse.

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