In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate if clinical trials provide benefit for teens and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
This study concluded that teens and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who participated in clinical trials benefit from them.
Some background
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) occurs when white blood cells called lymphocytes are overproduced and become abnormal. Lymphocytes function in fighting infections. The abnormal cells called lymphoblasts can kill normal cells and spread through the body.
Teens and young adults (TYA) with ALL have low participation rates in clinical trials. Because of this there is a lack of information on the benefits of participation in clinical trials. It was unknown if participation in clinical trials would provide benefit for TYA with ALL.
Methods & findings
This study involved 511 patients aged 15-24 who were diagnosed with ALL between 2004 and 2010. 46.7% of these patients were involved in the UKALL2003 clinical trial (trial group). This trial examined whether treatment could be modified based on minimal residual disease (remaining ALL after treatment). The rest of the patients did not participate in a trial (non-trial group). The survival rates and mortality rates were calculated for both groups.
The 1-year survival rate was 90.8% for the trial group compared to 81.9% for the non-trial group.
The 2-year survival rate was 85.4% for the trial group compared to 67.5% for the non-trial group.
In the two years following diagnosis 14.6% of the trial group died compared to 32.6% of the non-trial group.
The bottom line
This study concluded that TYA ALL patients who participated in a clinical trial had a lower risk of mortality and higher overall survival when compared to TYA ALL patients who did not participate in a clinical trial.
What’s next?
Consult your physician about the benefits of taking part in clinical trials.
Published By :
BMJ open
Date :
Oct 05, 2017
