Outcome of Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated with a Pediatric-Inspired Therapy: A Single Institution Experience

Abstract 4337

The results of treatment of adults with ALL remain unsatisfactory. Pediatric-inspired treatments seem to be related with better outcomes. Eighty adult ALL patients were prospectively treated in a single institution in a 16-year period with a schedule based on the St. Jude's TOTAL XI pediatric protocol employing vincristine, prednisone, asparaginase, daunorubicin, etoposide, cytarabine, methotrexate, mercaptopurine and triple intratecal therapy. Median age was 31 years (range 18 – 86); 92% were B-cell malignancies and 14% were Ph1 (+). Ten patients did not complete the first course of chemotherapy and 4 exited early. 44 of 66 patents (67%) achieved a complete remission; relapses presented in 57%. The median probability of overall survival (OS) was 28 months, whereas the 144-month OS was 27%. The median probability of leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 28 months, and the 144-month LFS 35%. Ph1 (+) patients did worse than Ph1-negative and T-cell leukemias did better than B-cell ones. Concerning toxicity, eight patients had toxic deaths (12%), two developed acute pancreatitis and one secondary diabetes. This pediatric-inspired therapy rendered better results than those obtained in similar socioeconomic circumstances using adult-oriented treatments; tolerance was acceptable and costs were low since it employs affordable drugs and can be delivered as outpatients.