Progress and challenges in the therapy of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a heterogeneous disease with distinct biologic and prognostic groupings. Although current therapies result in high complete remission rates, long-term disease-free survival rates have remained disappointingly low. Results from recent studies using risk-tailored approaches suggest improvement in overall survival for high-risk groups, such as those with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Furthermore, the incorporation of imatinib mesylate into the treatment regimen for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients may lead to better outcomes. Finally, quantification of minimal residual disease at various time points during therapy is being investigated as a means to predict more accurately a patient's response to therapy, and to make therapeutic decisions.
Kebriaei
Partow
P
Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Larson
Richard A
RA
D000328:Adult; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000175:diagnosis; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome