Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in adults: results of a 'total-therapy' programme in 47 patients over 15 years old.
For the last 13 years, 47 patients with ALL over 15 years old (range 15-72; median 21) entered a 'total-therapy' programme. All cases received a 6-8 week induction course of PRD, VCR, DRB and/or L-ASN. Prophylaxis of CNS was done by cranial radiotherapy plus i.t. MTX in 32/45 patients who attained complete remission (CR). After CR, subsequent therapy involved a programme of maintenance with 6MP and MTX at full doses. Pulses of intermittent reinforcement (PRD, VCR and DRB) were done for 2 weeks, every 3 months, for at least 3 years. CR was achieved in 42/47 patients (89.3%). The median relapse-free survival of the patients who attained CR was 57 months, with an 8-year estimated disease-free survival rate of 43% for those cases. If actuarial assumptions were to be sustained, it would indicate an encouraging cure rate of 38% of all our adult ALL patients (mainly in those cases between 15 and 30 years old).
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014750:Vincristine; D001215:Asparaginase; D011241:Prednisone; D003630:Daunorubicin