Single-Arm Standard-Dosage Combination Chemotherapy for Childhood Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (All-KFSH-84 Protocol)

Abstract

A promising new therapeutic regimen for treating childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia has resulted in 39 of 42 long-term remissions. Fifty-six children (1 to 13 years of age) were entered consecutively in this study of multiple combination chemotherapy for newly diagnosed acute lymphocytic leukemia. Of the 56 children, 1 parent refused treatment, 6 died during the period of remission induction, 4 are still receiving remission induction chemotherapy, and 45 attained complete remission. Of these 45 patients, 3 had therapy refused by their parents, 2 underwent hematologic relapse at 8 and 9 months during maintenance chemotherapy, 1 died in complete remsision, and 39 are in continuous complete remission for 1 to 23 months (median of 6 months). This regimen of combined chemotherapy appears to be very effective (2 relapses among 39 patients over a 27-month period) and tolerated with a good margin of safety reflected by absence of prohibitive toxicity. There was one death from Escherichia coli sepsis during a period of continuous complete remission (13 months).

Relevance of Treating Childhood Acute Leukemias

“…It is vital to progress that children with acute leukemia be referred to leukemia research centers where they can receive the most up-to-date care and participate in investigations designed to give the most benefit at the least risk. 12,13 …”