Aggressive treatment improves survival in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Eur J Haematol. 1988 Nov;41(5):478-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1988.tb00230.x.

Abstract

20 consecutive adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated with an intense induction regimen including vincristine, doxorubicin, prednisolone, L-asparaginase and cyclophosphamide. 16 patients (80%) achieved complete remission and were then given CNS prophylaxis and 3 years of maintenance therapy. With minimum follow-up of 24 months, the median duration of first remission is 37+ months. Out of 10 patients who have completed maintenance therapy, 2 have relapsed after 14 and 22 months, respectively, and 7 are in continuous complete remission 1+-55+ months off therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Asparaginase / administration & dosage
  • Asparaginase / adverse effects
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cytarabine / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Humans
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Mercaptopurine / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / radiotherapy
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisolone / adverse effects
  • Remission Induction
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage
  • Vincristine / adverse effects

Substances

  • Cytarabine
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisolone
  • Mercaptopurine
  • Asparaginase
  • Methotrexate