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The prognostic value of bone marrow lymphocytes in acute lymphocytic leukemia of childhood
Author(s) -
Green Alexander A.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197412)34:6<2009::aid-cncr2820340619>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - medicine , bone marrow , chemotherapy , acute lymphocytic leukemia , leukemia , complete remission , gastroenterology , surgery , lymphoblastic leukemia
The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of bone marrow lymphocytes (BML) in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Of 145 children entered into two consecutive treatment protocols, 73 were in initial continuous remission for 3 years, after which all therapy was stopped, and 63 entered remission but subsequently experienced a hematologic relapse. All patients received similar combination drug continuation chemotherapy which produced progressive bone marrow lymphopenia, most severe between 24 and 36 months of treatment. The results demonstrate no correlation with prognosis of the percentage of lymphocytes in the initial remission bone marrow aspirate, the maximum BML percentage during remission, or the mean BML percentage. Initial and maximal BML in 7 patients who relapsed 3 to 12 months following cessation of treatment were similar to patients who did not relapse, but 6 of 7 had mean BML below the median of patients who remain in remission. Therefore, in a large group of children with ALL treated in a uniform manner with 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 years of followup, approximately 50% of whom remain free of leukemia, no correlation between prognosis and bone marrow lymphocyte percentage could be demonstrated.