RESUMO
Objetivo: Conocer la eficacia y tolerancia de programas de quimioterapia diseñados para niños o adultos en pacientes de 15 a 25 años de edad con leucemia aguda linfoblástica de novo. Material y métodos: Pacientes de 15 a 25 años con leucemia aguda linfoblástica de novo, Phi- y sin infiltración inicial al sistema nervioso, atendidos de 2001 a 2006. Veinte pacientes recibieron un esquema diseñado para niños con riesgo alto (LALIN) y 20 el diseñado para adultos (LALA). Ambos son intensivos e incluyen dexametasona, daunorrubicina, ciclofosfamida, vincristina, citarabina, metotrexate, mercaptopurina y profilaxis al sistema nervioso. La suspensión electiva es a dos y tres años, respectivamente, en remisión completa continua. Resultados: Los pacientes fueron similares en edad, sexo, hepatoesplenomegalia, adenomegalia, cifra de leucocitos y plaquetas. La citomorfología y el inmunofenotipo predominantes fueron L2 y B CD10+. Resultados LALIN/LALA, fallas 2/0 (p=0.49), recaídas 0/4 (p=0.05), defunciones 4/7 (p=0.48). Sobrevida libre de evento a 70 meses, 70 y 40% (p=0.12). Conclusiones: En pacientes de 15 a 25 años el esquema de quimioterapia diseñado para niños es más eficaz, con menor frecuencia de recaídas que el de adultos. La toxicidad no se incrementa.
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the efficacy and safety of two chemotherapy regimens, one designed for adults and the other for children, in adolescent patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS: Between 2001-2006, we included patients aged 15-25, with de novo, Phi(-) ALL, without initial central nervous system (CNS) infiltration. Twenty patients received a chemotherapy regimen designed for children with high-risk ALL (LALIN) and twenty a regimen for adults (LALA). Both were intensive and included dexamethasone, daunorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, cytarabine, methotrexate and mercaptopurine as well as CNS prophylaxis. Elective suspension of chemotherapy occurred at two and three years respectively, in patients with continued complete remission. RESULTS: Patients in both groups were comparable in age, sex, presence and size of hepatosplenomegaly, initial leukocytes and platelet counts. Predominant in both groups was L2 morphology and B-cell CD10(+) immunophenotype. Results for the LALIN/ LALA groups were: failures 2/0 (p=0.49); relapses 0/4 (p= 0.05); therapy associated deaths 4/7 (p= 0.48); and event free survival at 70 months follow-up was 70% and 40% (p=0.12). CONCLUSIONS: In patients aged 15-25, with de novo ALL, a chemotherapy regimen designed for children had significantly less relapses than a regimen for adults. We saw no increase in toxicity in the LALIN versus the LALA group.