Treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of two trials

Thirty eight patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated protocol 0171 (VCR, PRED, MTX, cyclophosphamide +/- +/- 6-MP) and protocol 0276/A (VRC, PRED, L-ASP, MTX, 6-MP, cyclophosphamide). Overall complete remission rate in both studies was 84--85%, and additional treatment in protocol 0171 resulted in complete remission rate of 92%. Median duration of complete remission in protocol 0171 was 23 months and median survival of all patients was 33 months. Six patients randomized to regimen "A" (without 6-MP in intensification) had median duration of complete remission 8 months and media survival was 13 months. Seventeen patients treated with regimen "B" (with 6-MP in intensification) had median duration of complete remission 25 months and median survival was 39 months. Median survival of patients allocated on protocol 0276/A in 21+ months and median duration of complete remission is 23 months at present. Twelve percent of patients treated with the best regimen have survived more than 66 months in continuous complete remission. The incidence of drug related death in complete responders was 6%. The relapses were most frequent during the first two years of remission. Extramedullary leukemia as the initial site of relapse was observed in 9% of patients.