Long-term results of the APO protocol (vincristine, doxorubicin [adriamycin], and prednisone) for treatment of mediastinal lymphoblastic lymphoma.

1983 ◽  
Vol 1 (9) ◽  
pp. 537-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
H J Weinstein ◽  
J R Cassady ◽  
R Levey

Twenty-one patients with biopsy-proven mediastinal lymphoblastic lymphoma were treated with the APO protocol (vincristine, doxorubicin, and prednisone). Treatment consisted of two years of therapy with a modified doxorubicin-containing acute lymphoblastic leukemia regimen with preventive cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate. The median age in the group was 13 years (range, 2.5-22 years). Complete remission was obtained in 20 of 21 patients. Three patients required mediastinal irradiation for successful remission induction. Six patients have subsequently relapsed: two in the central nervous system, one in the central nervous system and testicle, one in the testicle, one in the pleura, and one in the abdomen. The median follow-up is six years (range, 16 months to 9.5 years) and a Kaplan-Meier estimate of disease-free survival at three years is 58% +/- 23% (2 SE).

1983 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. 793-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
J J Ochs ◽  
L S Parvey ◽  
J N Whitaker ◽  
W P Bowman ◽  
L Ch'ien ◽  
...  

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.


Blood ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Inati ◽  
SE Sallan ◽  
JR Cassady ◽  
S Hitchcock-Bryan ◽  
LA Clavell ◽  
...  

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.


Blood ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-303
Author(s):  
A Inati ◽  
SE Sallan ◽  
JR Cassady ◽  
S Hitchcock-Bryan ◽  
LA Clavell ◽  
...  

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.


Blood ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-250
Author(s):  
FS Muriel ◽  
E Svarch ◽  
S Pavlovsky ◽  
M Eppinger-Helft ◽  
J Braier ◽  
...  

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.


1983 ◽  
Vol 1 (8) ◽  
pp. 471-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Rivera ◽  
S L George ◽  
W P Bowman ◽  
D Kalwinsky ◽  
J Ochs ◽  
...  

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.


Blood ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
FS Muriel ◽  
E Svarch ◽  
S Pavlovsky ◽  
M Eppinger-Helft ◽  
J Braier ◽  
...  

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.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2333
Author(s):  
Judit C. Sági ◽  
András Gézsi ◽  
Bálint Egyed ◽  
Zsuzsanna Jakab ◽  
Noémi Benedek ◽  
...  

Despite improving cure rates in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), therapeutic side effects and relapse are ongoing challenges. These can also affect the central nervous system (CNS). Our aim was to identify germline gene polymorphisms that influence the risk of CNS events. Sixty single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 20 genes were genotyped in a Hungarian non-matched ALL cohort of 36 cases with chemotherapy related acute toxic encephalopathy (ATE) and 544 controls. Five significant SNPs were further analyzed in an extended Austrian-Czech-NOPHO cohort (n = 107 cases, n = 211 controls) but none of the associations could be validated. Overall populations including all nations’ matched cohorts for ATE (n = 426) with seizure subgroup (n = 133) and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES, n = 251) were analyzed, as well. We found that patients with ABCB1 rs1045642, rs1128503 or rs2032582 TT genotypes were more prone to have seizures but those with rs1045642 TT developed PRES less frequently. The same SNPs were also examined in relation to ALL relapse on a case-control matched cohort of 320 patients from all groups. Those with rs1128503 CC or rs2032582 GG genotypes showed higher incidence of CNS relapse. Our results suggest that blood-brain-barrier drug transporter gene-polymorphisms might have an inverse association with seizures and CNS relapse.


Haematologica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen Lew ◽  
Yichen Chen ◽  
Xiaomin Lu ◽  
Susan R. Rheingold ◽  
James A. Whitlock ◽  
...  

Outcomes after relapse of childhood B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) are poor, and optimal therapy is unclear. Children’s Oncology Group study AALL0433 evaluated a new platform for relapsed ALL. Between March 2007 and October 2013 AALL0433 enrolled 275 participants with late bone marrow or very early isolated central nervous system (iCNS) relapse of childhood B-ALL. Patients were randomized to receive standard versus intensive vincristine dosing; this randomization closed due to excess peripheral neuropathy in 2010. Patients with matched sibling donors received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) after the first three blocks of therapy. The prognostic value of minimal residual disease (MRD) was also evaluated in this study. The 3-year event free and overall survival (EFS/OS) for the 271 eligible patients were 63.6% +/- 3.0% and 72.3% +/- 2.8% respectively. MRD at the end of Induction-1 was highly predictive of outcome, with 3-year EFS/OS of 84.9 +/- 4.0% and 93.8 +/- 2.7% for patients with MRD <0.1%, vs. 53.7 +/- 7.8% and 60.6 +/- 7.8% for patients with MRD ≥0.1% (p<0.0001). Patients who received HCT vs. chemotherapy alone had an improved 3-year disease-free survival (77.5 +/- 6.2% vs. 66.9 +/- 4.5%, p=0.03) but not OS (81.5 +/- 5.8% for HCT vs. 85.8 +/- 3.4% for chemotherapy, p=0.46). Patients with early iCNS relapse fared poorly, with a 3-year EFS/OS of 41.4% +/- 9.2% and 51.7% +/- 9.3%, respectively. Infectious toxicities of the chemotherapy platform were significant. The AALL0433 chemotherapy platform is efficacious for late bone marrow relapse of B-ALL, but with significant toxicities. The MRD threshold of 0.1% at the end of Induction-1 was highly predictive of outcome. The optimal role for HCT for this patient population remains uncertain. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT# 00381680).


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