Aggressive treatment improves survival in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
20 consecutive adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated with an intense induction regimen including vincristine, doxorubicin, prednisolone, L-asparaginase and cyclophosphamide. 16 patients (80%) achieved complete remission and were then given CNS prophylaxis and 3 years of maintenance therapy. With minimum follow-up of 24 months, the median duration of first remission is 37+ months. Out of 10 patients who have completed maintenance therapy, 2 have relapsed after 14 and 22 months, respectively, and 7 are in continuous complete remission 1+-55+ months off therapy.
Smedmyr
B
B
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Killander
A
A
Simonsson
B
B
Sundström
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012074:Remission Induction; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D001215:Asparaginase; D008727:Methotrexate