High relapse rate of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults treated with Hyper-CVAD chemotherapy in Sweden
Author
Summary, in English
Background Hyper-CVAD is widely used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and aggressive lymphomas. This multicenter, population-based study assessed the efficacy of Hyper-CVAD as first-line therapy in patients with T-cell ALL (T-ALL). Patients and methods Between October 2002 and September 2006, 24 patients were diagnosed with T-ALL in Sweden; 19 were eligible for treatment with the protocol. Results The median age was 32yr (range 18-72yr). Complete remission (CR) was obtained in 17 of 19 (89%) patients, and the treatment was relatively well tolerated. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) was recommended in high-risk disease and was performed in four patients upfront. Two- and 5-yr leukemia-free survivals (LFS) in 17 patients with CR achievement were identical, at 29% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8-51). Two- and 5-yr overall survival (OS) in whole cohort was 63% (95% CI: 42-85) and 47% (95% CI: 26-69), respectively. The 5-yr LFS for 15 patients who did not receive allogeneic SCT upfront were 20% (95% CI: 0-40), although 14 of 15 completed the protocol (eight cycles). Relapse occurred in 2 of 4 upfront-transplanted patients and in 12 of 15 patients treated with chemotherapy alone, six of whom received allogeneic SCT in CR2. Age >= 35yr influenced OS negatively in univariate analysis (HR 5.1, 95% CI: 1.55-16.7). Conclusions Hyper-CVAD treatment resulted in a high CR rate and appeared safe, but it showed poor efficacy at preventing relapse. Therefore, this treatment is no longer recommended for adults with T-ALL in Sweden.
Department/s
Publishing year
2014
Language
English
Pages
377-381
Publication/Series
European Journal of Haematology
Volume
92
Issue
5
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Topic
- Hematology
Keywords
- antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols
- treatment outcome
- precursor T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia-lymphoma
- stem cell
- transplantation
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1600-0609