Evaluation of different induction regimens in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia

Four induction regimens-prednisolone and 6- mercaptopurine (group I), prednisolone and vincristine (group II), prednisolone, vincristine & asparaginase (group III) and prednisolone, vincristine and adriamycin followed by cyclophosphamide and 1-asparaginase (group IV)- have been evaluated. Successful induction remission was achieved in 16 (69.6%) in group I, 23 (92.0%) in group II, 36 (94.7%) in group III, 31 (96.8%) in group IV. Relapses were seen in 10 (62.5%), 10 (73.8%), 25 (69.4%) and 9 (29.0%) in the four groups respectively. Relapses seen in group IV were infrequent as compared to children of group I, II & III. Adverse risk factors were similar in all the four groups. Ninety four children (61.3%) had one or more poor prognostic factors at diagnosis. Three of 43(7%) children with no poor prognostic factors died during induction therapy as compared to 18 of 94 (19.1%) children associated, with poor prognostic factors at diagnosis. Higher mortality was seen under two years of age.     

Vincristine and prednisone vs vincristine, L-asparaginase, and prednisone for second remission induction of acute lymphocytic leukemia in children.

Second remission induction rates for vincristine and prednisone alone (VP) and vincristine, L-asparaginase, and prednisone (VLP) are compared for children with acute lymphocytic leukemia. No evidence of a significant difference between the second induction complete remission rate for VP (78.6%) and VLP (73.7%) was found. Duration of first remission and prognostic group at initial diagnosis (defined on the basis of age and white blood count at initial diagnosis) are shown to be significant prognostic factors for second remission induction; and three second remission induction risk groups are defined on the basis of these two factors. Periodic reinforcement with prednisone in first remission does not appear to lower second induction complete response (CR) rates for VP. There was no evidence of a significant difference in the frequency of occurrence of severe toxicity between the VP and VLP regimens.     

Vincristine and prednisone vs vincristine,l-asparaginase,and prednisone for second remission induction of acute lymphocytic leukemia in children

Second remission induction rates for vincristine and prednisone alone (VP) and vincristine, L-asparaginase, and prednisone (VLP) are compared for children with acute lymphocytic leukemia. No evidence of a significant difference between the second induction complete remission rate for VP (78.6%) and VLP (73.7%) was found. Duration of first remission and prognostic group at initial diagnosis (defined on the basis of age and white blood count at initial diagnosis) are shown to be significant prognostic factors for second remission induction; and three second remission induction risk groups are defined on the basis of these two factors. Periodic reinforcement with prednisone in first remission does not appear to lower second induction complete response (CR) rates for VP. There was no evidence of a significant difference in the frequency of occurrence of severe toxicity between the VP and VLP regimens.     

Combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone, followed by maintenance chemotherapy, with and without radiotherapy, in the management of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Sixty patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were treated with a cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) induction regimen, either alone (stage IV) or in combination with radiotherapy (stages I, II, III). The response rates for lymphocytic and histiocytic lymphomas were 82 and 86%. The complete remission (CR) rates were 66 and 71% with a median duration of 13 and 5.5 months respectively. Nodular types responded better than diffuse ones in both lymphocytic (CR rate 85% vs 45%; median duration 24+ months vs 2.5 months) and histiocytic lymphoma (CR rate 100% vs 0%). In lymphocytic lymphomas, survival in the responder group was 90% at 24 months vs only 20% in the nonresponder group (median survival 14.2 months). In the group with nodular lymphocytic lymphoma responding to therapy, there was a 100% survival rate at 24 months. The median survival for patients treated with chemotherapy alone (stage IV) and not responding to therapy, was 22 months vs 14.5 months in the whole nonresponder group (stages I, II, III, IV), suggesting a detremental effect of rediotherapy in the nonresponder group. In histiocytic lymphomas, the median survivals in the responder and nonresponder groups were 19 months and 3 months respectively. These results corroborate the excellent efficacy of the CVP regimen. They also indicate that, after CVP induction, 2 major prognostic factors are the histologic type and the nature of the response to therapy.     

A study of intermittent alternating drug program reinduction therapy on the frequency and duration of response in adult acute leukemia

Of 41 adults with a diagnosis of acute leukemia that were randomized for induction therapy in combination with methotrexate, 6-MP, vincristine and prednisone (POMP) versus a combination of cytosine arabinoside, cytoxan, vincristine and prednisone (COAP), 23 (56%) patients achieved a complete remission. During remission, patients received consolidation therapy with the three courses of remission induction regimen that they had not received initially. They then received daunomycin (three courses) and L-asparaginase and were then maintained for two years with their induction therapy. The median duration of survival for all patients was 40 weeks; the median duration of survival of those patients that responded to chemotherapy was 80 weeks. There was no significant difference between the two induction regimens with regard to complete remission more than four and one half years from diagnosis and two and one half years from discontinuation of all therapy.     

Combination of cyclophosphamide,vincristine, and prednisone,followed by maintenance chemotherapy,with and without radiotherapy,in the management of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Sixty patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were treated with a cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) induction regimen, either alone (stage IV) or in combination with radiotherapy (stages I, II, III). The response rates for lymphocytic and histocytic lymphomas were 82 and 86%. The complete remission (CR) rates were 66 and 71% with a median duration of 13 and 5.5 months respectively. Nodular types responded better than diffuse ones in both lymphocytic (CR rate 85% vs 45%; median duration 24+ months vs 2.5 months) and histiocytic lymphoma (CR rate 100% vs 0%). In lymphocytic lymphomas, survival in the responder group was 90% at 24 months vs only 20% in the nonresponder group (median survival 14.5 months). In the group with nodular lymphocytic lymphoma responding to therapy, there was a 100% survival rate at 24 months. The median survival for patients treated with chemotherapy alone (stage IV) and not responding to therapy, was 22 months vs 14.5 months in the whole nonresponder group (stages I, II, III, IV), suggesting a detrimental effect of radiotherapy in the nonresponder group. In histiocytic lymphomas, the median survivals in the responder and nonresponder groups were 19 months and 3 months respectively. These results corroborate the excellent efficacy of the CVP regimen. They also indicate that, after CVP induction, 2 major prognostic factors are the histologic type and the nature of the response to therapy.     

黄芪注射液对儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病近期预后的影响

目的 探讨黄芪注射液对儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）近期预后的影响。方法 回顾性分析2009 年1 月至2012 年12 月105 例初诊ALL 患儿的临床资料,随机分为治疗组49 例,其中低危型18 例,中危型7 例,高危型24 例;对照组56 例,其中低危型21 例,中危型7 例,高危型28 例;两组均按相同危险度分型给予相同的诱导缓解治疗方案,治疗组同时给予静脉滴注黄芪注射液,每日0.5~1.0 mL/kg;对照组用0.9%氯化钠注射液进行替代输注,至诱导缓解治疗结束。对影响两组预后的因素分布及两组诱导缓解治疗后的完全缓解（CR）率进行比较;同时比较两组患儿在诱导缓解治疗第19 天以及两组B-ALL 患儿在诱导缓解治疗结束达CR 时不同微小残留病（MRD）水平的发生率。结果 105 例ALL 患儿中,B-ALL 型99 例,T-ALL 型6 例。两组患儿各预后因素分布比较差异均无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。105 例患儿的总CR 率为79%,治疗组（82%）与对照组（77%）的CR 率比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,且不同临床危险度分型患儿CR 率在两组间比较差异亦均无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。诱导治疗第19 天,治疗组患儿MRD ≥ 10-4 的发生率（69%）低于对照组（95%,P<0.05）;80 例达CR 的B-ALL 患儿中,对照组43 例,治疗组37 例,治疗组MRD ≥ 10-4 的发生率（27%）低于对照组（58%,P<0.05）;且在上述两种情况下,治疗组高危型和低危型患儿MRD ≥ 10-4 的发生率均低于对照组（均P<0.05）。结论 黄芪注射液联合化疗可增强抗肿瘤作用,改善儿童ALL 近期预后,提高儿童ALL的临床疗效。     

The results of high risk children's acute lyrnphoblastic leukemia total therapy. A report from the Polish children's leukemia/lymphoma study group

The study evaluates the efficacy of seven drug systemic therapy and three drug intrathecal treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Three hundred and thirty-five children with ALL treated at six hematological centers in Poland were divided into two groups: standard group and high risk group according to the BFM score method. Ninety-two children estimated as high risk patients diagnosed between 1978 and 1981 were treated according to the Polish Children's Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group (PCLSG) program adopted from LSA₂L₂ regimen. The patients received prednisone, vincristine, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide as remission induction treatment, followed by cytarabin and 6-thioguanine given as consolidation therapy. The central nervous system prophylaxis consisted of cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate, cytarabin and hydrocortisone. In maintenance phase, three different drug combinations were given as intermittent therapy. The total duration of therapy was 2.5 years. The life table analysis showed a 38% disease free survival and 50% complete continuous remission (CCR) for the total group of patients. A relatively high incidence of CNS relapse was observed. These results indicated that the regimen applied was not satisfactorily effective for the increased risk of ALL. Three of seven evaluated prognostic indices—age, mediastinal mass and cytochemical features—were significantly associated with probability of survival of the patients with protocol applied. Some other therapy proposals are discussed.     

Improved remission induction rate with D-ZAPO but unimproved remission duration with addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy in previously untreated children with ANLL

In 163 children with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), a D-ZAPO induction program consisting of daunomycin, 5-azacytidine, cytosine arabinoside, prednisone, and vincristine resulted in a remission rate of 71.8%. Immunologic therapy was employed during maintenance with the aim of prolonging remission and improving survival. The administration of immunotherapy consisting of a mixture of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and allogeneic acute myelomonocytic leukemic cells injected intradermally on day 14 of each of the first three monthly cycles of 6-thioguanine for ten days, 5-azacytidine and cytosine arabinoside for four days, and vincristine for one day did not improve remission duration or survival compared to that due to chemotherapy alone. Important prognostic factors identified in this study included a remission induction rate significantly better for females than males (P = 0.04), for children between the ages of 5 and 10 years compared to those greater than this age group (P = 0.01), and a prolonged remission duration (P = 0.04), and survival (P < 0.01) for patients with initial white blood counts of <20 × 10⁹/liter.     

Combination chemotherapy for bone marrow relapse in childhood lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Thirty-four children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in relapse or resistant to initial induction received combination chemotherapy with prednisolone, vincristine, l-asparaginase, and daunorubicin. L-asparaginase was given subcutaneously on alternate days for four weeks and was well tolerated. A complete remission was achieved in 96% of children in relapse and in five out of six children resistant to induction. Remission was achieved without hospitalisation in over 60% of patients. The median duration of subsequent remission was only 13 weeks, but six out of eight children receiving a second course of the drug combination achieved a further remission. We conclude that prolonged l-asparaginase therapy in combination with an anthracycline might well be used in initial or consolidation therapy for childhood ALL.     

Vindesine in relapsed childhood ALL. A pilot study by the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group

Twenty-three children with first on-treatment marrow relapse of lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were randomly assigned to treatment with vincristine (16 patients) or vindesine (7 patients) in an otherwise identical regimen including daunorubicin, prednisolone, asparaginase, VM26 and cytosine. There was no suggestion of any difference between the two groups in terms of frequency of secbnd remission achievement or duration, nor was there in terms of toxicity. Despite small numbers, these findings suggest that vindesine does not offer any obvious therapeutic advantage over vincristine in relapsed ALL, but is well tolerated.     

Combination chemotherapy for bone marrow relapse in childhood lymphoblastic leukaemia (all)

Thirty-four children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in relapse or resistant to initial induction received combination chemotherapy with prednisolone, vincristine, 1-asparaginase, and daunorubicin. L-asparaginase was given subcutaneously on alternate days for four weeks and was well tolerated. A complete remission was achieved in 96% of children in relapse and in five out of six children resistant to induction. Remission was achieved without hospitalisation in over 60% of patients. The median duration of subsequent remission was only 13 weeks, but six out of eight children receiving a second course of the drug combination achieved a further remission. We conclude that prolonged 1-asparaginase therapy in combination with an anthracycline might well be used in initial or consolidation therapy for childhood ALL.     

黄芪注射液对急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿感染因素的影响

目的 探讨黄芪注射液对急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）患儿诱导缓解化疗期间感染相关因素的影响。方法 采用随机双盲法将91 例ALL 患儿分为治疗组（47 例）和对照组（44 例）,治疗组在诱导缓解化疗的同时给予加用黄芪注射液0.5 mL /kg·d,共35 d,治疗组给予同等剂量生理盐水代替,两组其他支持治疗相同,比较两组诱导缓解化疗结束后患儿感染的发生率、感染持续时间、白细胞及中性粒细胞水平、感染部位及分泌物病原菌培养阳性率等。结果 治疗组47 例患儿中有4 例出现过敏反应后退出实验,研究显示诱导缓解化疗后治疗组患儿的感染发生率低于对照组（P<0.05）;不同感染部位的感染持续时间均低于对照组（均P<0.05）;治疗组化疗后中性粒细胞水平高于对照组（P<0.05）;治疗组呼吸道感染、泌尿道感染、血液感染及皮肤软组织感染发生率均低于对照组（均P<0.05）;感染病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主,感染患儿中治疗组分泌物培养阳性率低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论 黄芪注射液可能在诱导缓解化疗期间减轻了化疗药物对骨髓的抑制,也可能通过提高中性粒细胞水平,从而使ALL 患儿在诱导缓解化疗期间感染发生率降低,感染发生时持续时间缩短。     

The results of high risk children's acute lyrnphoblastic leukemia total therapy. A report from the Polish children's leukemia/lymphoma study group

The study evaluates the efficacy of seven drug systemic therapy and three drug intrathecal treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Three hundred and thirty-five children with ALL treated at six hematological centers in Poland were divided into two groups: standard group and high risk group according to the BFM score method. Ninety-two children estimated as high risk patients diagnosed between 1978 and 1981 were treated according to the Polish Children's Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group (PCLSG) program adopted from LSA₂L₂ regimen. The patients received prednisone, vincristine, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide as remission induction treatment, followed by cytarabin and 6-thioguanine given as consolidation therapy. The central nervous system prophylaxis consisted of cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate, cytarabin and hydrocortisone. In maintenance phase, three different drug combinations were given as intermittent therapy. The total duration of therapy was 2.5 years. The life table analysis showed a 38% disease free survival and 50% complete continuous remission (CCR) for the total group of patients. A relatively high incidence of CNS relapse was observed. These results indicated that the regimen applied was not satisfactorily effective for the increased risk of ALL. Three of seven evaluated prognostic indices—age, mediastinal mass and cytochemical features—were significantly associated with probability of survival of the patients with protocol applied. Some other therapy proposals are discussed.     

Organ irradiation and combination chemotherapy in treatment of acute lymphocytic leukaemia in children.

Lanzkowsky, P., Shende, A., Aral, I., Saluja, G. (1975). Archives of Disease in Childhood, 50, 685. Organ irradiation and combination chemotherapy in treatment of acute lymphocytic leukaemia in children. A total of 30 consecutive children with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) were treated from June 1971 until December 1974. Remission was induced with the use of vincristine and prednisone. After induction of remission, cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate were given. Then the liver, spleen, and kidney were irradiated and 6-mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate were administered during the maintenance phase. Pulsed doses of vincristine and prednisone were administered at 10- to 12-week intervals. The patients were subdivided into two groups based on their initial white blood cell (WBC) counts: a standard risk group with an initial WBC count of less than 25 000/mm3 (25 X 10(9)/1) and a high risk group with an initial WBC count greater than 25 000/mm3 (25 X 10(9)/1). Of the 30 children entered in this study one standard risk patient died in the induction phase before attaining remission. Analysis of the results is therefore based on the remaining 29 patients, 22 standard risk and 7 high risk patients, who attained complete remission. Survival rates in continuous remission were found to be 43% of the high risk group, 88% for the standard risk group, and 77% for the combined group. Analysis of the data indicates that this therapy is unsatisfactory in high risk ALL. The results to date of this therapy for standard risk are sufficiently encouraging to continue its use in this subgroup of patients.     

The impact of induction anthracycline on long-term failure-free survival in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Early intensive therapy might be critical in improving failure-free survival for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Between 1973 and 1977, 107 children received vincristine and prednisone (VP) induction and 30 received the same two agents plus an anthracycline (VPA). Ninety-nine of the VP-treated group and all 30 of the VPA-treated patients achieved complete remission. At a median observation time of 10 years, 59 of 137 children remain in continuous complete remission. Failure-free survival was 37% for the VP group and 63% for the VPA group (p = 0.02). Failure-free survival for boys who received VP was 28%, compared with 68% for boys who received VPA (p = 0.007). All 11 extramedullary relapses and all seven relapses occurring beyond 3.8 years from diagnosis (three testicular and four bone marrow) were observed among the VP group. We conclude that use of an anthracycline during remission induction therapy influenced failure-free survival and that early results of successful antileukemic therapy in children must be confirmed by follow-up progress reports.     

Improved remission induction rate with D-ZAPO but unimproved remission duration with addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy in previously untreated children with ANLL.

In 163 children with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), a D-ZAPO induction program consisting of daunomycin, 5-azacytidine, cytosine arabinoside, prednisone, and vincristine resulted in a remission rate of 71.8%. Immunologic therapy was employed during maintenance with the aim of prolonging remission and improving survival. The administration of immunotherapy consisting of a mixture of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and allogenic acute myelomonocytic leukemic cells injected intradermally on day 14 of each of the first three monthly cycles of 6-thioguanine for ten days, 5-azacytidine and cytosine arabinoside for four days, and vincristine for one day did not improve remission duration or survival compared to that due to chemotherapy alone. Important prognostic factors identified in this study included a remission induction rate significantly better for females than males (P = 0.04), for children between the ages of 5 and 10 years compared to those greater than this age group (P = 0.01), and a prolonged remission duration (P = 0.04), and survival (P less than 0.01) for patients with initial white blood counts of less than 20 x 10(9)/liter.     

儿童非核心结合因子急性髓系白血病的疗效及预后因素分析

目的 回顾性分析比较非核心结合因子（CBF）急性髓系白血病（AML）儿童采用CAMS-2005方案及CAMS-2009方案治疗的疗效及预后的影响因素。方法 选择2005年4月至2015年12月161例初诊为非CBF-AML患儿为研究对象，根据化疗方案分为CAMS-2005方案组（n=52）和CAMS-2009方案组（n=109），对两种化疗方案疗效进行回顾性分析。结果 CAMS-2009方案组第1个疗程完全缓解率高于CAMS-2005方案组（63.3% vs 46.2%，P < 0.05）。CAMS-2009方案组治疗相关病死率（11.9% vs 17.3%）、复发率（27.5% vs 28.8%）、3年总生存（OS）率（44%±5% vs 28%±6%）与CAMS-2005方案组相比差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。第1个疗程获得完全缓解患儿的3年OS率、3年无事件生存率高于第1个疗程未完全缓解患儿（P < 0.01）。结论 CAMS-2009方案较CAMS-2005方案可改善非CBF-AML患儿诱导治疗完全缓解率，第1个疗程是否获完全缓解可影响非CBF-AML患儿OS率。     

High dose methylprednisolone therapy in nephrotic syndrome

This study was done to determine the efficacy of oral high dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) therapy in the treatment of childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS). Fifteen patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were arbitrarily divided into two groups. Group I received prednisolone (daily 60 mg/m² for 4 weeks, 45, 30, 20, 10, 5 mg/m² on alternate days for 4 weeks) and group II received HDMP (30 mg/kg/d for 3 days, 20 mg/kg/d for 4 days, 10 mg/kg/for a week, before 9 am, orally). The patients were followed-up for a duration of 38.0±5.5 months (range 24–68 months) in group I and 42.1±5.5 months (range 16–72 months) in group II. No significant difference was obtained in the duration of remission between both groups (p>0.05), while HDMP induced early remission than prednisolone (p<0.05). The mean relapse rate was 0.8/year in group I and 0.8/year in group II (p>0.05). Although, the number of the patients were limited in the study it can be recommended that patients with NS can be treated with oral HDMP therapy as an alternative to standard oral prednisolone therapy.     

High-dose chemoradiotherapy with bone marrow transplantation as a consolidation treatment of neuroblastoma. Results in 49 unselected patients with stage IV cancer and older than 1 year. Report of the LMCE neuroblastoma group

65 consecutive children over one year of age presenting with neuroblastoma stage IV were unselectively treated with an induction regimen alternating Cis-Platinum/VM 26 and Cyclophosphamide/Adriamycin/Vincristin. After primary surgery two to four months post diagnosis, consolidation consisted of continuous Vincristin, high dose Melphalan and fractionated total body irradiation, followed by bone marrow transplantation (autologous except for 3 allogeneic). Of the 49 children transplanted up to evaluation date, 31 were in partial remission (PR) and 18 in "very good partial remission" (VGPR) or complete remission (CR) at the time of transplantation. The toxic mortality was 20% (14% early, 6% late), the relapse rate 29% and the progressive disease rate 6%. The event-free survival from graft (events being relapse, progression or death) was 33% after a median of 17 months (range: 2-45) without a significant difference between a status at transplantation of PR versus VGPR/CR. The overall actuarial progression-free survival of the complete group of children with neuroblastoma stage IV was 24% after 27 months, including 10 patients who died or relapsed before massive therapy as well as 6 children still in induction. This result must be compared with 6% survival in a similar group diagnosed at the same institutions and treated with conventional chemotherapy before the onset of this trial.