title: CNS prophylaxis using a triple intrathecal drug therapy without cranial irradiation in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
abstract: After remission-induction chemotherapy in 31 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, patients immediately received CNS prophylaxis. Thirteen patients received triple intrathecal drug therapy, while 18 patients received intrathecal methotrexate and cranial irradiation; systematic chemotherapy was administered as well to both groups. Six patients developed CNS leukaemia during complete remission, 2 in the non-radiated patients and 4 in patients who had received cranial irradiation. Drug chemoprophylaxis may therefore substitute cranial radiotherapy when effective systemic regimens are used. Such CNS chemoprophylaxis will result in fewer, long-term CNS side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cancerology and Immunogenetics, Paul Brousse Hospital, Villejuif, France.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Asfour
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Misset
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mathe
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sabbour
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence