[Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults by the modified protocol of L-10M (Sloan-Kettering)]

We have treated 20 adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 2 patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma with a protocol modified from L-10M of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Eighteen patients (81.8%) entered complete remission (CR). Eight of them eventually relapsed (only 1 patient had a meningeal relapse) and died. Median CR duration was 19 months (median overall follow-up of 35 months and 50% remission duration was not yet determined. Median overall survival was 19 months. Three patients died of sepsis during remission induction, but all of other deaths were due to resistant or relapsed leukemia. The four patients who completed 3.5 year's modified L-10M protocol were free from relapse for 6-11 months (mean 8.7). Although further follow-up is necessary, we suggest that modified L-10M protocol is effective for adult ALL and long-term survival may be available.