title: Long-term follow-up of treatment and potential cure of adult acute lymphocytic leukemia with MOAD: a non-anthracycline containing regimen.
abstract: A total of 55 previously untreated adults with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), median age 38 years (range 15-73 years), were treated with MOAD (methotrexate, vincristine, L-asparaginase, and dexamethasone). This regimen includes five phases--induction, consolidation, cytoreduction, maintenance, and central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis with parenteral high-dose methotrexate. Of the 55 evaluable patients, 42 achieved complete remission 76%), with a median CR duration of 12+ months (range 0.5-195+ months). The median survival in remission is 22+ months (range 1-198+ months), with 33% of remitters continuing in long-term remissions (> 5 years). Two out of four patients who developed CNS leukemia did so without marrow relapse, were successfully treated for that complication, and continue in total complete remission at 8+ and 16+ years. Another patient with extramedullary relapse (breast) was treated with radiation to that site and remains in total CR at 16+ years. Expected toxicities included myelosuppression during the induction phase of treatment, with 65% of patients requiring intravenous antibiotics. Mucositis was the next most frequent toxicity and required dose-reduction in seven patients. Minimal toxicity was seen during the post-remission phases of treatment. L-Asparaginase toxicity was more prominent during intravenous administration (24 patients) than when the intramuscular route of administration (30 patients) was used. The remission rate and long-term survivorship achieved with this regimen, without the use of an anthracycline, is comparable to that of other regimens for adult ALL. MOAD was well-tolerated by young and old adults with ALL. Aseptic necrosis of bone, successfully treated in each instance, occurred in four long-term disease-free survivors. The effect of this complication and its treatment on quality of life has been negligible.
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wiernik
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dutcher
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paietta
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gucalp
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Markus
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Azar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garl
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D012074:Remission Induction; D015996:Survival Rate; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D001215:Asparaginase; D008727:Methotrexate