Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 18, 2013
Prevalence and Treatment Outcomes of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Kosovo
Flaka Pasha1,2, Dunja Urbančič1, Rufadie Maxhuni3
1Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerceva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Insights
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy has improved, but regional access varies. This study analyzed 225 Kosovo ALL cases from 2008-2023, showing treatment advancements significantly boosted survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Hematology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy has advanced with new biomarkers and stratification.
- Healthcare access for improved treatments varies geographically.
- Understanding regional treatment outcomes is crucial for advancing pediatric cancer care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate therapeutic advances for childhood ALL in Kosovo.
- To analyze treatment protocols and survival rates in a specific geographical region.
- To identify areas for improvement in pediatric leukemia care.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 225 childhood ALL cases diagnosed between 2008 and 2023.
- Inclusion of 52% of all diagnosed childhood cancers in Kosovo during the study period.
- Categorization of patients into risk groups and identification of five treatment protocols.
Main Results:
- The average annual incidence of childhood ALL was 14 cases, with a median age of seven years and male predominance.
- Over 61% of patients achieved remission after the first chemotherapy cycle, with a 20% mortality rate.
- 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was 40%, and 5-year overall survival (OS) reached 88% with the AIEOP-BFM-2009 protocol.
Conclusions:
- Treatment advancements significantly correlate with improved survival rates in childhood ALL.
- The standardized AIEOP-BFM-2009 protocol shows promising results for overall survival.
- Continued research and tailored care strategies are essential to enhance clinical outcomes for pediatric leukemia patients.
Abstract:
Advances in research, including novel biomarker identification and patient stratification, have significantly improved the therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), though access to improved healthcare services varies across geographical regions. In an effort to evaluate the advances in therapeutic approaches, we performed a retrospective analysis of childhood ALL in Kosovo. Our retrospective analysis included 225 cases diagnosed between 2008 and 2023, representing 52% of 429 diagnosed childhood cancers. The average annual incidence was 14, with a median age diagnosis of seven years, and a male predominance (59.54%). Patients were categorized into risk groups, with the majority (43%) in the standard-risk category. We identified five different treatment protocols for this study period. Over 61% of patients achieved remission after the first chemotherapy cycle and we observed a 20% mortality rate. Survival analysis showed that 55% and 40% of patients achieved 2-year and 5-year event-free survival (EFS), respectively, with significant differences across risk groups. Treatment advancements significantly correlated with improved survival rates, achieving a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 88% in the currently used standardized AIEOP-BFM-2009 protocol. Our study emphasizes the need for continued research and customized care strategies to enhance clinical outcomes.
