Adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: emerging from the shadow of paediatric and adult treatment protocols.
Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) constitute a distinct population from children and older adults. Based on patterns of referral, they may be treated by either paediatric or adult oncologists. As a group, AYA with ALL have a worse survival and event-free survival (EFS) compared to that achieved by younger children. A systematic review of all published clinical trials, which provide data on treatment and outcome of adolescents with ALL, has been summarised in an effort to determine whether they should be treated on paediatric or adult type protocols. Adolescents appear to have a consistent survival advantage when treated on paediatric regimens.
Department of Molecular Haematology, Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
Ramya
R
Ramanujachar
Sue
S
Richards
Ian
I
Hann
David
D
Webb
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome