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Chemoimmunotherapy with levamisole in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Author(s) -
Pavlovsky Santiago,
Muriel Federico Sackmann,
Garay Guy,
Svarch Eva,
Braier Jorge,
Lagarde Marcia,
Scaglione Cristina,
EppingerHelft Mariana,
Failace Renato,
Dibar Eduardo
Publication year - 1981
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(19811001)48:7<1500::aid-cncr2820480703>3.0.co;2-5
Subject(s) - levamisole , medicine , chemoimmunotherapy , complete remission , lymphoblastic leukemia , gastroenterology , surgery , leukemia , chemotherapy , cyclophosphamide
Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who were in two consecutive protocols and in complete remission (CR) with maintenance therapy, were randomized to receive or not receive levamisole. A total of 15 of 55 low‐risk patients of protocol 10‐LLA‐72 with levamisole had relapses, compared with 25 of 54 not receiving levamisole; 67 and 49%, respectively, remain in CR at 48 months ( P < 0.025). In protocol 1‐LLA‐76, 14 of 91 low‐risk patients on levamisole and 25 of 93 patients not receiving levamisole had relapses; 78 and 61%, respectively, remain in CR at 36 months ( P < 0.05). Seventeen of 39 high‐risk patients (children with a leukocyte count higher than 50,000 and adults) receiving levamisole had relapses compared with 37 of 61 not on levamisole. The DNCB skin test shows at 18 and 24 months a 74 and 85% positivity in the levamisole group vs. a 38 and 35% positivity in the control group ( P < 0.025). We conclude that levamisole prolongs the duration of CR and survival in low‐risk patients with ALL.