scholarly journals Retrospective study of Dana Farber Consortium Protocol in newly diagnosed Egyptian adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Tanta experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossam Eldin A. Elashtokhy ◽  
Heba E. Elgohary ◽  
Basant B. Eldeep ◽  
Sally M. Gaber ◽  
Tamer A. Elbedewy
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Common Adverse Event ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Kaplan Meier

Abstract Background Intensive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) regimens in children improve the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) to reach ~ 90%. Adolescents and young adults (AYA) have EFS (30% to 45%). Young AYA ALL patients treated with pediatric chemotherapy protocols such as Dana Farber Consortium Protocol (DFCP) experience a better prognosis. This study aimed to assess the efficacy [EFS and overall survival (OS)] and the toxicity of DFCP in the treatment of Egyptian AYA with newly diagnosed ALL. A retrospective study was performed on 41 patients with newly diagnosed ALL (15 and 39 years) who were treated with DFCP. EFS and OS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Thirty-eight patients (92.68%) achieved complete remission (CR). Eleven patients (26.83%) relapsed. Ten (24.39%) patients died. One, two, and three years of EFS were 75.61%, 72.91%, and 67.51% respectively. One, two, and three years OS were 85.3%, 77.26%, and 74.39% respectively. Neutropenia was the most common adverse event observed in 100% of patients. Conclusion DFCP can be considered as an effective ALL protocol for the AYA group of patients with good CR, EFS, and OS rates. DFCP seemed to be feasible in AYA despite the toxicities experienced.

The Treatment of Adolescents and Young Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Hematology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. DeAngelo
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Appropriate Treatment

Abstract Intensive chemotherapy regimens for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have greatly improved, and the majority of children with precursor B-cell ALL are able to achieve a complete remission (CR), with an induction rate approaching 98% and a 5-year estimated event-free survival rate (EFS) of approximately 80%. Although there have been dramatic improvements over the last several decades in both the EFS and overall survival (OS) rates in young children with ALL, the results in adult clinical trials have not kept pace. Current adult treatment regimens result in CR rates in the 80% range, with EFS at 5 years of only 30%–40%. Adolescents and young adults represent a minority of patients enrolled onto either adult or pediatric clinical trials. As a result, little information is available regarding CR, EFS, and OS rates for this age group, and the appropriate treatment regimen for this group of patients remains elusive. Recent studies suggest that young adult patients have far superior outcomes when treated on more intensive pediatric regimens. In addition, new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of T cell ALL have led to new therapeutic strategies.

Clinical significance of translocation t(1;19) in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the context of contemporary therapies: a report from the Children's Cancer Group.

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 527-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
F M Uckun ◽  
M G Sensel ◽  
H N Sather ◽  
P S Gaynon ◽  
D C Arthur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Cancer Group ◽  
Improved Outcomes ◽  
B Lineage ◽  
The Individual

PURPOSE The nonrandom translocation t(1;19) has been associated with poor outcome in pediatric B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Because most patients treated by contemporary therapies now achieve improved outcomes, we have reassessed the prognostic significance of t(1;19). PATIENTS AND METHODS Cytogenetic data were accepted for 1,322 children (<21 years old) with newly diagnosed ALL enrolled between 1988 and 1994 on risk-adjusted studies of the Children's Cancer Group (CCG). Forty-seven patients (3.6%) were t(1;19) positive (+); 1,275 (96.4%) were t(1;19) negative (-). Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome were compared using standard methods. RESULTS Translocation (1;19)+ patients were more likely than t(1;19)- patients to be 10 years of age or greater (P < .001) or CD10+ CD19+ CD34- (P < .0001), or nonwhite (P = .02). Patients with a balanced t(1;19) were less likely to be hyperdiploid than patients with an unbalanced der(19)t(1;19). Event-free survival (EFS) was similar for the overall group of t(1;19)+ and t(1;19)- patients, with 4-year estimates of 69.5% (SD, 6.8%) and 74.8% (SD, 1.3%; P = .48), respectively. However, patients with unbalanced der(19)t(1;19) had significantly better outcomes than patients with balanced t(1;19): 4-year EFS were 80.6% (SD, 7.1%) and 41.7% (SD, 13.5%), respectively (P = .003). These differences were maintained within the individual studies analyses and after exclusion of t(1;19)+ patients whose cells were hyperdiploid with more than 50 chromosomes. CONCLUSION The overall group of t(1;19)+ patients, as well as the subgroup with an unbalanced der(19)+ (1;19) had outcomes similar to that of t(1;19)- patients, whereas patients with balanced t(1;19) had poorer outcomes. Thus, although the overall prognostic significance of t(1;19) has been obviated by contemporary risk-adjusted protocols, the balanced t(1;19) translocation remains an adverse prognostic factor.

Obesity and Outcome in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 2063-2069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. Butturini ◽  
Frederick J. Dorey ◽  
Beverly J. Lange ◽  
David W. Henry ◽  
Paul S. Gaynon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Prognostic Variables ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Cancer Group ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Nonobese Patients

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of obesity (defined as a body mass index > 95th percentile for age and sex at diagnosis) on outcome of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data from 4,260 patients with newly diagnosed ALL enrolled from 1988 to 1995 onto five concurrent Children's Cancer Group studies. Results were verified in a second cohort of 1,733 patients enrolled onto a sixth study from 1996 to 2002.ResultsThe 1988 to 1995 cohort included 343 obese and 3,971 nonobese patients. The 5-year event-free survival rate and risk of relapse in obese versus nonobese patients were 72% ± 2.4% v 77% ± 0.6% (P = .02) and 26 ± 2.4 v 20 ± 0.6 (P = .02), respectively. After adjusting for other prognostic variables, obesity's hazard ratios (HRs) of events and relapses were 1.36 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.77; P = .021) and 1.29 (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.56; P = .04), respectively. The effect of obesity was prominent in the 1,003 patients ≥ 10 years old at diagnosis; in this subset, obesity's adjusted HRs of events and relapses were 1.5 (95% CI, 1.1 to 2.1; P = .009) and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.2 to 2.1; P = .013), respectively. In a second cohort of 1,160 patients ≥ 10 years old, obesity's adjusted HRs of events and relapses were 1.42 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.96; P = .032) and 1.65 (95% CI, 1.13 to 2.41; P = .009), respectively. The effect of obesity on outcome was unrelated to changes in chemotherapy doses, length of intervals between chemotherapy cycles, or incidence and severity of therapy-related toxicity.ConclusionObesity at diagnosis independently predicts likelihood of relapse and cure in preteenagers and adolescents with ALL.

Is It Better to Treat Adolescents with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia as Old Children or as Young Adults?

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3968-3968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Alves ◽  
Liane Daudt ◽  
Karina L. M. Mazzucco ◽  
Adriano Taniguchi ◽  
Tiago Nava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Complete Remission ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Poor Risk ◽  
Wbc Count

Abstract PURPOSE: To compare pediatric and adult therapeutic practices in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2007, 34 and 11 adolescents (10 to 20 years of age) were treated according to German pediatric BFM 90 and 95 and adult BFM 84 protocols, respectively. Age, B/T lineage, WBC count, complete remission, cytogenetics, and response to steroids were analyzed. Age, B/T lineage and WBC count were similar. Poor risk-cytogenetics (t (9;22),t(4;11) and hypodiploidy less than 45 chromosomes were present only in BFM 90 and 95 group. Among the different prognostic factors, we retrospectively analyzed the effect of the trial on achieving overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). RESULTS: OS in 10 years and EFS was, respectively, 68.6% and 68.7% for the pediatric protocol and 31.4% and 21.6% for the adult protocol. CONCLUSION: This study’s findings were similar to others in USA, UK, France, Italy and Holland that clearly demonstrate that current pediatric regimens are more effective for adolescents and may contribute to indicate that adolescents should be included in intensive pediatric protocols. Keywords: leukemia, survival, adolescent.

Dexamethasone and Individualized Asparaginase Dosing Are Each Associated with Superior Event-Free Survival in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Results From DFCI-ALL Consortium Protocol 00-01.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 321-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynda M. Vrooman ◽  
Donna S. Neuberg ◽  
Kristen E. Stevenson ◽  
Jeffrey G. Supko ◽  
Stephen E. Sallan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Induction Treatment ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Abstract 321 BACKGROUND: The DFCI-ALL Consortium Protocol 00-01 aimed to determine the relative efficacy and toxicity of 1) dexamethasone (DEX) vs. prednisone (PRED) and 2) asparaginase (ASP) with individualized dosing (ID) based on pharmacokinetic measurements vs. standard fixed dosing (FD) based on body surface area, in the treatment of children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PATIENTS and METHODS: Between 2000 and 2004, 492 eligible patients (pts) ages 1-18 years (yrs) with newly diagnosed ALL enrolled on Protocol 00-01 from 10 institutions. 282 pts were standard risk (SR) and 210 high risk (HR). Post-induction treatment for all patients included 30 weeks of intramuscular E. coli ASP (beginning at week 7) and vincristine/corticosteroid pulses every 3 weeks for 24 months. Pts who achieved complete remission (CR) were eligible for two randomized comparisons: 1) Steroids: Pts were randomized to receive either DEX or PRED given as 5-day pulses every 3-weeks, and 2) ASP: Pts were randomized to receive either FD (25,000IU/m2) or ID (starting dose 12,500 IU/m2) for 30 weeks. Nadir serum ASP activity (NSAA) was assessed every 3 weeks, and ASP doses on the ID arm were adjusted to maintain NSAA between 0.10-0.14 IU/mL. NSAA was assayed centrally by a validated biochemical assay. RESULTS: 473 pts (96%) achieved CR. With a median follow-up of 4.9 years, the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) ± standard error for all 492 pts was 80 ± 2% and overall survival (OS) was 91 ± 1%. Steroid randomization: 408/473 pts (86%) participated in the steroid randomization (DEX: 201, PRED: 207). Pts randomized to DEX had 5-yr EFS of 90 ± 2% compared with 81 ± 3% for PRED (p=0.01) [Table I]. For pts 10-18 yrs of age, there was a significant increase in the rate of osteonecrosis (ON) with DEX, with 5-yr cumulative incidence (CI) of 23% compared with 4.7% for PRED (p=0.02). There was no difference in the 5-yr CI of ON based on steroid type in pts 1-10 yrs of age (DEX: 2.6% vs. PRED: 4.3%, p=0.43). Fractures were also more common in pts 10-18 yrs of age randomized to DEX (p=0.06), but not in younger pts (p=0.25). Infection (positive blood culture or radiographic evidence of invasive fungal disease) developed in 38 pts (18.8%) randomized to DEX compared with 22 pts (10.6%) randomized to PRED (p=0.03). There was no difference in remission death rate based on steroid randomization (DEX 0% vs. PRED 2%, p=0.5). ASP randomization: 384/473 pts (81%) participated in the ASP randomization (FD: 195, ID: 189). Pts randomized to ID had superior EFS with 5-yr EFS of 90 ± 2% compared with 82 ± 3% for FD (p=0.04) [Table I]. There was no difference between the two arms in the frequency of ASP-related allergy (p=0.46), pancreatitis (p=0.66) or thrombosis (p=0.77). There was also no difference by treatment arm in the proportion of pts able to complete at least 25 weeks of ASP (FD: 88% vs. ID: 87%, p=0.76). There was no difference between the two arms in the proportion of pts with non-detectable NSAA, although fewer pts on the ID arm had high NSAA (>0.14 IU/mL). On multivariable analysis, both DEX and ID ASP were independent predictors of favorable outcome (hazard ratio 0.49 for DEX, p=0.02; hazard ratio 0.52 for ID, p=0.04), with no indication of an interaction. Only 5/92 (5%) pts randomized to both DEX and ID ASP experienced an event. CONCLUSIONS: DEX was associated with superior EFS, but also more bone and infectious toxicities, especially in older children/adolescents. Future studies should focus on minimizing DEX toxicity in older pediatric pts without compromising efficacy. ID of ASP was feasible and was associated with superior EFS. The improved EFS with ID was not due to a reduction in ASP-related toxicity or improved tolerability, but was associated with a reduction in the proportion of pts with high NSAA. Disclosures: Supko: Enzon Inc.: Research Funding. Sallan:Enzon Inc.: Research Funding; Enzon Inc.: Contributed to support of an investigator meeting.

The Importance of Pharmacogenomic Variations in the Treatment of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 4847-4847
Author(s):  
Chung-Yi Hu ◽  
Sheng-Kai Chang ◽  
Yung-Li Yang ◽  
Shu-Wha Lin ◽  
Rong-Jing Chiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Standard Error ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Kaplan Meier

Abstract In adaptation of risk-directed combined chemotherapies, the initial remission rate in treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has exceeded 95%. Hematological relapse during maintenance therapy, in which methotrexate (MTX) and thiopurine are applied, is the major cause of treatment failure. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the role of pharmacogenomic effects in the treatment of children with ALL in the southern Chinese population. A total of 105 Taiwanese children with ALL, who received combined chemotherapy of different intensities based on risk-directed Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group (TPOG)-ALL-93 protocols between Oct. 1993 to Dec. 2001, were recorded in long-term follow-up (6.5 to 13.7 years) for events (hematological relapse or death) occurrence (Figure 1). Seventeen genetic polymorphisms in 13 pharmacogenomic targets that implicated in MTX/thiopurine metabolism were analyzed by PCR-based restriction length polymorphism (RFLP) or sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) probe hybridization. Pharmacogenomic polymorphisms were correlated with long-term event-free survival (EFS) of patients, with confounding effects adjusted by multivariate regression. Homozygosity of the 2677–3435 G-C allele in the multi-drug resistance gene (MDR-1, ABCB1) was highly associated with a significant reduction in long-term EFS in those patients treated with the standard risk protocol (TPOG-ALL-93-SR) (Figure 2). In the 36 patients receiving TPOG-ALL-93-SR treatment protocol, 6 out of 12 (50%) subjects carried homozygotic MDR1 2677–3435 G-C/G-C genotype suffered hematological relapse in 2 years, compared to 21 of 24 (88%) the non-homozygotic subjects remained event-free after 5 years (hazard ratio: 6.8, p=0.01). Among patients treated with the a high risk protocol (TPOG-ALL-93-HR) due to the presence of myeloid markers on the leukemic cells or manifested central nervous system leukemia, the thymidylate synthase (TYMS) enhancer 28-bp repeats 3R3R, and the glutathione-S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) null genotypes were associated with inferior clinical outcomes (p=0.029 and 0.058, respectively). Moreover, for patients with T-cell ALL that received the very high risk protocol (TPOG-ALL-97-VHR), the methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) 66AA genotype correlated with a superior prognosis compared to the AG or GG genotypes. These findings indicated independent pharmacogenomic determinants could be identified in subsets of Taiwanese children with ALL and correlated to the treatment outcome. In conclusion, we propose the pharmacogenomic determinants disclosed in the context of TPOG-ALL-93 protocols could be used to refine protocols for the treatment of pediatric ALL patients. Fig. 1 Kaplan-Meier plot depicting event-free survival of the ALL patients. The estimate of five-year event-free-survival (and the standard error) is illustrated for 105 patients received TPOG-ALL-93 protocols. Fig. 1. Kaplan-Meier plot depicting event-free survival of the ALL patients. The estimate of five-year event-free-survival (and the standard error) is illustrated for 105 patients received TPOG-ALL-93 protocols. Fig. 2 MDR1 2677–3435 G-C/G-C genotype identified a subset with poor prognosis in the 36 ALL patients received TPOG-ALL-93-SR treatment protocol. Fig. 2. MDR1 2677–3435 G-C/G-C genotype identified a subset with poor prognosis in the 36 ALL patients received TPOG-ALL-93-SR treatment protocol.

Physicians Compliance During Maintenance Therapy in Children with Down Syndrome and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 2577-2577
Author(s):  
Cathrine Bohnstedt ◽  
Mette Levinsen ◽  
Susanne Rosthøj ◽  
Bernward Zeller ◽  
Mervi Taskinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Target Range ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Children With Down Syndrome ◽  
Kaplan Meier

Abstract Abstract 2577 Children with Down syndrome (DS) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have an inferior prognosis compared to non-DS ALL patients. We reviewed Methotrexate (MTX)/Mercaptopurine (6MP) maintenance therapy data for children with DS treated according to the NOPHO ALL92 or the NOPHO ALL2000 protocols between 1992 and 2007. The five year event-free survival (pEFS5y) for the DS patients was inferior to the non-DS patients (0.50 ± 0.07 vs 0.77 ± 0.01, p<0.001). The 48 DS patients in 1st remission at the beginning of maintenance therapy had pEFS10y below the 522 non-DS control patients (pEFS10y: 0.58, 95%-CI 0.43–0.77 vs. 0.83, 95%-CI 0.80–0.86, p<0.0001). The DS patients received lower median doses of MTX (Median: 11.8 vs 15.4, p<0.0001) and 6MP (median: 45.6 vs. 59.4, p<0.0001). In Cox regression analysis male gender, presence of DS, and high median maintenance therapy white blood cell levels (mWBC) were associated with increased risk for relapse. The mWBC hazard ratio for DS-ALL patients was 2.0, p<0.0005). This supports that DS children with ALL should be treated as vigorously as non-DS ALL patients. Obtaining WBC levels within target range could potentially increase their cure rates. Figure 1: Kaplan-Meier curves for event free survival for DS and non-DS children. Figure 1:. Kaplan-Meier curves for event free survival for DS and non-DS children. Non-DS 513 464 443 433 418 DS 47 25 19 12 6 Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Cellular Expression of Antiapoptotic BCL-2 Oncoprotein in Newly Diagnosed Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Children's Cancer Group Study

Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 89 (10) ◽  
pp. 3769-3777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatih M. Uckun ◽  
Zhiwen Yang ◽  
Harland Sather ◽  
Peter Steinherz ◽  
James Nachman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Early Response ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Childhood All ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Cellular Expression

Abstract We found a marked variation in BCL-2 oncoprotein expression levels of primary leukemic cells from 338 children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). None of the high-risk features predictive of poor treatment outcome in childhood ALL, such as older age, high white blood cell (WBC) count, organomegaly, T-lineage immunophenotype, ability of leukemic cells to cause overt leukemia in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, presence of MLL-AF4, and BCR-ABL fusion transcripts were associated with high levels of BCL-2 expression. Overall, high BCL-2 levels were not associated with slow early response, failure to achieve complete remission, or poor event-free survival. High BCL-2 levels in primary leukemic cells predicted slow early response only in T-lineage ALL patients, which comprised approximately 15% of the total patient population. Even for this small subset of patients, the level of BCL-2 expression did not have a significant impact on the short-term event-free survival.

scholarly journals Young Adults With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Have an Excellent Outcome With Chemotherapy Alone and Benefit From Intensive Postinduction Treatment: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (31) ◽  
pp. 5189-5194 ◽  
Author(s):  
James B. Nachman ◽  
Mei K. La ◽  
Stephen P. Hunger ◽  
Nyla A. Heerema ◽  
Paul S. Gaynon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Excellent Outcome ◽  
First Remission ◽  
Wbc Count

Purpose Patients 16 to 21 years of age with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have an inferior outcome compared with younger children, leading some medical oncologists to advocate allogeneic stem-cell transplantation in first remission for these patients. We examined outcome for young adults with ALL enrolled onto the Children's Cancer Group (CCG) 1961 study between 1996 and 2002. Patients and Methods CCG 1961 entered patients with ALL 1 to 21 years of age with initial WBC count ≥ 50,000/μL and/or age ≥ 10 years. Randomly assigned therapies evaluated the impact of postinduction treatment intensification on outcome. We examined outcome and prognostic factors for 262 young adults with ALL. Results Five-year event-free and overall survival rates for young adult patients are 71.5% (SE, 3.6%) and 77.5% (SE, 3.3%), respectively. Rapid responder patients (< 25% bone marrow blasts on day 7) randomly assigned to augmented therapy had 5-year event-free survival of 81.8% (SE, 7%), as compared with 66.8% (SE, 6.7%) for patients receiving standard therapy (P = .07). One versus two interim maintenance and delayed intensification courses had no significant impact on event-free survival. WBC count more than 50,000/μL was an adverse prognostic factor. Conclusion Young adult patients with ALL showing a rapid response to induction chemotherapy benefit from early intensive postinduction therapy but do not benefit from a second interim maintenance and delayed intensification phase. Given the excellent outcome with this chemotherapy, there seems to be no role for the routine use of allogeneic stem-cell transplantation in first remission for young adults with ALL.

scholarly journals Cellular Expression of Antiapoptotic BCL-2 Oncoprotein in Newly Diagnosed Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Children's Cancer Group Study

Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 89 (10) ◽  
pp. 3769-3777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatih M. Uckun ◽  
Zhiwen Yang ◽  
Harland Sather ◽  
Peter Steinherz ◽  
James Nachman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Early Response ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Event Free Survival ◽  
Childhood All ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Cellular Expression

We found a marked variation in BCL-2 oncoprotein expression levels of primary leukemic cells from 338 children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). None of the high-risk features predictive of poor treatment outcome in childhood ALL, such as older age, high white blood cell (WBC) count, organomegaly, T-lineage immunophenotype, ability of leukemic cells to cause overt leukemia in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, presence of MLL-AF4, and BCR-ABL fusion transcripts were associated with high levels of BCL-2 expression. Overall, high BCL-2 levels were not associated with slow early response, failure to achieve complete remission, or poor event-free survival. High BCL-2 levels in primary leukemic cells predicted slow early response only in T-lineage ALL patients, which comprised approximately 15% of the total patient population. Even for this small subset of patients, the level of BCL-2 expression did not have a significant impact on the short-term event-free survival.

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