Despite advancements in new treatments, management of older patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains an unmet medical need. With increasing age, patients with ALL have a significantly lower complete remission rate, higher early mortality and relapse rate, and poorer survival than younger patients. This is attributed to a higher prevalence of adverse prognostic factors among older individuals and reduced tolerance to chemotherapy. Progress has been made in tailoring moderately intensive chemotherapy protocols for Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)/BCR::ABL–negative ALL in older patients, and recent phase 2 studies have explored integrating immunotherapy into initial treatment with very promising results. However, establishing new standard regimens for this age group remains and improving general management strategy is a pending task.
Skip Nav Destination
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia|
January 2, 2025
How I treat older patients with Ph/BCR-ABL–negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Nicola Gökbuget,
Nicola Gökbuget
Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Björn Steffen
Björn Steffen
Department of Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Blood (2025) 145 (1): 53–63.
Article history
Submitted:
May 3, 2024
Accepted:
September 17, 2024
First Edition:
October 11, 2024
Connected Content
A related article has been published:
How I treat ETP-ALL in children
A related article has been published:
How I treat Philadelphia chromosome–like acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children, adolescents, and young adults
A related article has been published:
How I treat infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia
A related article has been published:
How I treat postimmunotherapy relapsed B-ALL
A related article has been published:
How I treat adult Ph+ ALL
A related article has been published:
Introduction to a How I Treat series on acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Citation
Nicola Gökbuget, Björn Steffen; How I treat older patients with Ph/BCR-ABL–negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2025; 145 (1): 53–63. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2023023156
Download citation file:
My Account
Sign In
January 2 2025
Advertisement intended for health care professionals
Cited By
Advertisement intended for health care professionals
This feature is available to Subscribers Only
Sign In or Create an Account Close Modal