title: Remission-induction of acute lymphoblastic transformation of chronic myeloid leukaemia, followed by long-term maintenance therapy.
abstract: Acute lymphoblastic transformation of chronic myeloid leukaemia (LT-CML) of 7 consecutive patients was treated according to a remission-induction and maintenance therapy used for de novo acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). All 7 patients achieved a second chronic phase with a median remission duration of 15 months. Two patients showed an isolated central nervous system (CNS) relapse. This did not occur in the 4 patients, who received prophylactic therapy with intrathecal methotrexate. The second transformation was nonlymphoblastic in nature in 4 out of the 5 patients. A treatment protocol similar to that of a bad risk ALL, including long-term maintenance therapy and CNS-prophylaxis is indicated in lymphoblastic transformation of CML.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: de Witte
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de Pauw
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haanen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged