[The presence of minimal residual disease during induction therapy is a reliable factor for the prognosis of recurrence in children with standard-risk B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia].
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the prognostic implications of the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) during the induction period in children diagnosed with low risk B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (LR-ALL).


METHODS
In 36 children with LR-ALL treated with BFM-86 protocol, MRD was studied at the end of induction by IgH and TCR delta gene analysis.


RESULTS
The probabilities of disease free survival were: 52% (patients with MRD at the end of Induction), 64% (patients with MRD at day 15) and 100% (patients without MRD).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of MRD is a new and useful prognostic factor in LR childhood ALL.
Tutor-Ureta
O
O
Departamento de Genética, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Toledo.
Díaz
M A
MA
Algara
P
P
Madero
L
L
Martínez
P
P
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017931:DNA Primers; D019676:Genes, T-Cell Receptor delta / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D017931:DNA Primers; D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D001215:Asparaginase; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate