Late intensification therapy in adult acute lymphoid leukemia. The Southeastern Cancer Study Group Experience

Am J Clin Oncol. 1992 Feb;15(1):61-8. doi: 10.1097/00000421-199202000-00012.

Abstract

One hundred ninety-two evaluable patients were treated on a multicenter protocol for adult acute lymphoid leukemia to determine in a prospective randomized fashion if late intensification chemotherapy beginning after about six months of treatment would improve remission duration and survival. The complete remission rate was 60%. The median remission duration was 13.5 versus 25.9 months (P = 0.31) for standard maintenance therapy and late intensification, respectively, and the median survival was 17.5 versus 34.7 months (P = 0.19) respectively. Although there was a suggestion that the late intensification strategy was helpful, relapse proved to be common during the early phases of treatment; thus, insufficient numbers of patients were available at the randomization point to conclusively address the possible value of late intensification. Intensive therapy earlier in remission should be evaluated.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Remission Induction
  • Survival Analysis
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone
  • Methotrexate