Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
Modeling Chemotherapy Resistant Leukemia In Vitro
Published on: February 9, 2016
Survival of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: experience in Chennai
S Rajajee1, M V Desikulu, V Pushpa
1Department of Hematology, Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Egmore, Chennai, India.
Insights
Treatment outcomes for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Chennai were evaluated. Challenges in developing countries significantly impact survival rates, highlighting the need for improved supportive care and early diagnosis for pediatric cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Hematology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a significant childhood cancer.
- Treatment outcomes in developing countries often face unique challenges.
- Prognostic factors, including immunophenotyping, are crucial for assessing ALL prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate treatment outcomes for pediatric ALL patients in Chennai.
- To analyze factors affecting treatment outcomes in a developing country context.
- To assess the importance of immunophenotyping as a prognostic factor in childhood ALL.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 135 children diagnosed with ALL between June 1991 and December 1995.
- Analysis of immunophenotypes, treatment protocols (standard, intermediate, high risk), and event-free survival (EFS).
- Identification and analysis of treatment obstacles encountered.
Main Results:
- Pre-B ALL (CD10+, CD19+, HLA-DR+) was the most common immunophenotype (69%).
- Overall event-free survival (EFS) was 27% at the time of analysis.
- Significant challenges included delayed diagnosis, poor supportive care, and socio-economic factors, contributing to high dropout (41%) and sepsis-related mortality (18%).
Conclusions:
- Childhood ALL treatment outcomes in Chennai were suboptimal, influenced by developing country challenges.
- Improved diagnostic processes, enhanced supportive care, and addressing socio-economic barriers are critical for improving pediatric ALL survival.
- Immunophenotyping is an important prognostic indicator in childhood ALL management.
Abstract:
The object of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcome in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Chennai. The problems inherent in a developing country which affect outcome are analyzed. The importance of prognostic factors especially immunotyping is assessed. The period of study was from June 1991 to December 1995. A total of 135 children were studied. Pre B CALLA positive (CD10, CD19, HLA, DR) was the dominant immunotype in 75 children (69 per cent). T-cell ALL was seen in 15 (14 per cent), biphenotype in three (2 per cent), and B in one (0.9 per cent). Seventy children (53 per cent) were treated with a high risk protocol, 25 (17 per cent) received an intermediate risk, and 40 patients (30 per cent) received a standard risk protocol. Analyzing the outcome in 135 children, 34 (27 per cent) had event free survival (EFS) at the time of analysis; of these 41 per cent had EFS after 2 years of therapy, 31 per cent after 3 years and 18.7 per cent after 4 years (i.e. 1 year after stopping 3 years of therapy). Fifty-seven children (41 per cent) dropped out; 25 (18 per cent) died due to sepsis. Treatment obstacles included delay in diagnosis, poor health education and facilities, poor supportive care, and socio-economic problems.
