Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults: results of the L-10 and L-10M protocols.

Abstract

Two successive protocols (L-10 and L-10M) employing multidrug induction therapy with vincristine, prednisone, and doxorubicin (Adriamycin) plus an intensive consolidation phase and maintenance program have led to a significant improvement in the prognosis of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The complete remission (CR) rates for the 34 patients entered on the L-10 protocol and the 38 patients entered on the L-10M protocol were 85% and 84%, respectively. The median duration of remission has not yet been reached for either the L-10 (median follow-up, 5.5 years; range, 3.5-7.5 years) or the L-10M protocol (median follow-up, 2.5 years; range, 1-3.5 years). The median survival time has not yet been reached for the L-10M protocol. Central nervous system prophylaxis with intrathecal methotrexate alone was effective in preventing central nervous system relapse. An analysis of possible prognostic factors indicated that patients less than 25 years of age had a higher CR rate than older patients (p = 0.02). Patients with an initial leukocyte count below 15,000/microL experienced longer remissions than patients with a leukocyte count above 15,000/microL (p = 0.008), and patients who achieved CR within the first month of therapy were in remission longer than those requiring a longer time to achieve CR (p = 0.04). Patients with T cell ALL did not have a poorer prognosis than other patients treated on these protocols. The L-10 and L-10M protocols were well tolerated with minimal morbidity.

Adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A study of prognostic features and response to treatment over a ten year period

“…here is similar to those reported in several recent studies (Baccarani et al, 1982;Hoelzer et al, 1984;Schauer et al, 1983;Aviles et al, 1983;Gottlieb et al, 1984). Lower CR rates were observed in older patients and those with high presenting WBC counts.…”

Effects of cell density on drug-induced cell kill kinetics in vitro (inoculum effect)

“…Clinical experience suggests that patients with high tumour load are less amenable to treatment. High leukocyte counts in patients with ALL and AML are usually considered a poor prognostic sign in terms of remission induction (Crowther et al, 1975;Robinson et al, 1980;Simone et al, 1975), remission duration (Hug et al, 1983;Robinson et al, 1980;Schauer et al, 1983) and survival (Freireich et al, 1961;George et al, 1973;Simone et al, 1975). Leukapheresis prior to chemotherapy resulted in an improved rate of remission (Cuttner et al, 1983).…”

A phase I trial of a single high dose of idarubicin combined with high-dose cytarabine as induction therapy in relapsed or refractory adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] There is a significant relapse rate, however, and only 20-30% of all patients will be cured of their disease. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Therefore the majority of adults with ALL will require therapy for relapsed or refractory disease.…”