ALL induction outcome: Real-world data from a pediatric oncology center in an LMIC setup with rural predominance

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has survival rates of greater than 90% in developed nations. However, various sociodemographic factors adversely affect outcome rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

To study induction outcome of ALL and various factors affecting it.

This was a prospective cohort study which enrolled 86 children up to the age of 18 years with newly diagnosed ALL registered in newly established pediatric hematology and oncology division over the duration of 3 years. Sociodemographic and clinical data was collected. Outcome was assessed using morphological remission, minimal residual disease (MRD) and mortality rate.

Of the 170 children with malignancies registered, 86 were ALL. Mean age was 7.09 ± 4.07 years and the M: F ratio of 1.32:1. Sixteen (38.09%) of them had severe acute malnutrition and another 16 (38.09%) had moderate acute malnutrition. Thirty (68.18%) children over 5 years were undernourished. Seventy-four (86.05%) were B-ALL and 12 (13.95%) T-ALL. In total, 28.77% had WBC counts greater than 50 × 10 9 /L. t (12;21) was the most common cytogenetic abnormality. Majority (60.46%) of the patients belonged to lower socioeconomic status. Seventy-one (93.42%) patients completed induction of which 100% attained morphological remission and 64 (90.14%) were MRD negative. There were five mortalities, three (60%) due to sepsis and 2 (40%) due to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Fifty (65.78%) children had morbidities during induction, febrile neutropenia being the commonest.

Successful induction outcome rates at par with high-income countries can be achieved even in resource-limited settings of LMIC with support from government and NGOs. Decentralized cancer care centers can effectively pave the way in reducing cancer mortality in children of lower socioeconomic status residing in rural areas.