title: Long-term results of AIEOP-8805 protocol for acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia of childhood.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute B-cell leukemia (B-ALL) is a rare form of pediatric leukemia characterized by a very high-proliferation index, rapid clinical progression, and a high frequency of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Commonly, it is treated in the clinical trials for Burkitt lymphoma, of which it represents the leukemic counterpart.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with B-ALL diagnosed between 1988 and 1999 were enrolled in the AIEOP-8805 protocol. Treatment included six high-dose chemotherapy courses. No prophylactic CNS irradiation was administered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-five consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. L3 morphology was observed in 57 of 65 patients (88%). Twenty-five children (38%) had tumor mass in addition to massive bone marrow infiltration; 11 children (17%) had CNS disease at diagnosis. Sixty-two patients obtained complete morphological remission of which 13 suffered a relapse, including 3 with initial CNS involvement. Ten-year overall survival and event-free survival were 77% and 75%, respectively. Neither relevant long-term toxicity nor second malignancies were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The AIEOP-8805 confirmed that short high-dose chemotherapy is highly effective for the treatment of B-ALL without significant long-term adverse sequelae. Therapy modifications to reduce relapse rate, such as the use of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and more effective CNS treatment, are being tested.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Onco-Hematology Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pillon
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aricò
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Basso
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Locatelli
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Citterio
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Micalizzi
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Testi
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barisone
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nardi
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rondelli
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosolen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015452:Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012074:Remission Induction; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D001215:Asparaginase; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate; D003630:Daunorubicin