title: Improved survival for children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and stage IV small noncleaved-cell lymphoma: a pediatric oncology group study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In an effort to improve outcome for children with advanced B-cell malignancies, a treatment plan based on a published regimen that consists of four courses of fractionated cyclophosphamide (cyclo) given with doxorubicin (doxo) and vincristine (VCR) was intensified by alternating with sequential high-dose methotrexate (MTX) and cytarabine (Ara-C), given in conjunction with intrathecal (IT) MTX and Ara-C.
  
  
  METHODS
  From October 1986 to October 1992, 133 eligible patients were enrolled: 74 with B-cell (surface immunoglobulin-positive [Slg+] acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and 59 with stage IV small noncleaved-cell lymphoma (SNCCL). The median age was 8 years; there were 103 males and 30 females. Abdominal tumor masses were prominent in 63 cases (33 B-ALL and 30 stage IV SNCCL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 66 B-ALL and 57 stage IV patients (93% overall). At 4 years, the estimated event-free survival (EFS) rate is 65% +/- 8% for patients with B-ALL and 79% +/- 9% for those with stage IV SNCCL. Among patients with CNS involvement, 23 of 36 remain in CR (4-year EFS rate, 64% +/- 13%). Relapses occurred early; only 3 patients relapsed after completion of therapy. Thirteen relapses occurred in the marrow, three in the CNS, and six in other sites. Of 11 CNS-positive patients who relapsed, only two recurred primarily in the CNS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate that with intensified chemotherapy an increasing potential for cure exists for patients with B-ALL and stage IV SNCCL.
authors.affiliation: Cook Children's Medical Center, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Shuster
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Behm
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pullen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Link
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Head
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berard
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008727:Methotrexate