In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the GIMEMA LAL-1308 treatment protocol in young patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
This study concluded that this treatment protocol was safe and effective for these patients.
Some background
Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are a unique patient population with specific characteristics. Evidence suggests that children-based treatments may improve the outcome for these patients.
The GIMEMA LAL-1308 protocol involves 7 days of prednisone (Deltasone), followed by a methotrexate (Otrexup) injection into the spinal canal. This is followed by IA induction (vincristine, daunorubicin, prednisone, and asparaginase) and IB consolidation (cyclophosphamide, standard-dose cytarabine, and 6-mercaptopurine).
It was unknown if the GIMEMA LAL-1308 treatment protocol would be safe and effective in AYA with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) ALL.
Methods & findings
This study involved 76 AYA patients aged 18 to 35 with Ph- ALL. They received the GIMEMA LAL-1308 treatment protocol.
At the end of the IA phase, 90.7% had achieved a complete response (CR). 73 patients proceeded to the IB consolidation treatment. The complete response (CR) rate was 92% after the IB phase.
24 patients relapsed after an average of 16 months. After 4 years, 60.3% of patients were alive and 60.4% were alive without signs of cancer. There were no significant differences in survival without signs of cancer between patients with standard-risk ALL and those with high-risk ALL.
The bottom line
This study concluded that the pediatric-inspired GIMEMA LAL-1308 treatment protocol is safe and effective in AYA patients with Ph- ALL.
The fine print
This study had a small number of participants. Some patients were lost to follow-up. This might have influenced the results.
Published By :
American Journal of Hematology
Date :
Dec 07, 2020
