ALBERT

Description: In 1999 the German Multicenter Study Group for Adult ALL (GMALL) activated a pilot study (GMALL 06/99). One major aim was to develop a new, shortened and intensified induction regimen based on the following new principles compared to previous GMALL trials: 1) Dexamethasone (DEXA) instead of prednisone to improve antileukemic activity and prophylaxis of CNS relapse 2) prephase with cyclophosphamide (CYCLO) 3) G-CSF parallel to chemo 4) intensified daunorubicin with two 2day cycles (DNR) vs 4 wkly applications 5)1 dose PEG-L-Asparaginase (ASP) instead of 14 d conventional ASP Induction I was followed by GMALL induction phase II as previously reported and a uniform consolidation I. Remission control took place on d24 and d44. Thereafter treatment was risk adapted. Induction I consisted of DEXA, CYCLO and G-CSF. In addition pts received PEG-ASP 1000 U/m2 (d13), vincristin 2 mg (d4,11,18) and DNR 45 mg/m2 (d4+5,11+12). The regimen was modified by 3 amendments which separated the study to 4 pilot phases. The major modifications referred to reduction of DEXA/CYCLO and earlier application of G-CSF. Table 1: Major modifications of induction phase I Drug Pilot 1 Pilot 2 Pilot 3 DEXA 40 mg/m2 (d1–3) 10 mg/m2 (d4–17) 10 mg/m2 (d 1–6,11–16) 10 mg/m2 (d 1–5,11–14) CYCLO 200 mg/m2 (d1–3) none none G-CSF from d13 from d4 from d4 Overall 843 pts were included between 4/99 and 10/03. The median age was 36 (15–65) yrs. Subtypes distribution was c-/pre B 65%, pro B 8%, early T 8%, thymic 14%, mature T 6%. 23% had Ph/BCR-ABL+ ALL. The overall CR rate was 83%, with 12% failure/PR and 7% early death (ED). Significant differences were detected for the pilot phases (p=.0008). The high mortality in pilot I was mainly due to infections. With lower doses of DEXA the rate of ED (p=.0002) and severe infections decreased significantly whereas the failure rate increased slightly. The earlier application of G-CSF contributed to a significant decrease of grade III/IV granulocytopenias and probably also mucositis. Table 2: Results and major toxicities (grade III/IV) of induction therapy Pilot 1 Pilot 2 Pilot3 P Evaluable 103 100 605 CR 76% 83% 82% .0008 PR/Failure 9% 9% 14% ED 16% 8% 5% Survival (3y) 45% 47% 47% 〉.05 Granulopenia 84% 72% 69% .008 Median duration 17d 15d 12d

Description: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) accounts for 25% of adult ALL and is characterised by specific clinical and biologic features such as phenotype with early (cyCD3+,CD7+) (E-T), thymic (CD1a+) ) (Thy-T) and mature T-ALL (M-T) (sCD3+). The formerly poor prognosis of T-ALL was more recently improved in some studies albeit not in all, even not in childhood ALL. Patients: To improve outcome of T-ALL the German Multicenter Study Group for Adult ALL initiated two consecutive studies with subtype adapted therapies. 503 T-ALL pts were recruited between 4/93 and 10/03. The median age was 30 (15–55)yrs, 75% were male, 66% had mediastinal tumor (MedTu), 24% WBC 〉 100.000 and 7% CNS involvement with subtypes as follows: 53% Thy-T, 26% E-T and 21% M-T. Study Design: In Study 05/93 all T-ALL pts were treated uniformly with 8drug induction incl. prophylactic CNS (24 Gy) (CNSRAD) and proph. mediastinal (24 Gy) irradiation (MEDRAD) followed by 7x consolidation (HDAC/MITOX, HDMTX/ASP, reinduction, 2xVM26/AC, 2xCYCLO/AC) and maintenance (6MP/MTX). In Study 06/99 treatment of T-ALL was risk adapted with a shortened, intensified 8drug induction (CNSRAD in all but MEDRAD only in pts with residual MedTu after induction) followed by consolidation I (HDAC/HDMTX/VP16). Thy-T was then treated as standard risk with 6x consolidation (3xHDMTX/ASP,reinduction,VM26/AC,CYCLO/AC). E-T and M-T were considered as high risk and scheduled for stem cell transplantation (SCT) in CR1. Results: In Study 05/93 the CR rate in 291 pts was 89% (94%, 73% and 90% for Thy-T, E-T and M-T; p=.0006) and even 97% for Thy-T in adolescents (15–25 yrs) . Overall 4% failed to achieve CR and 7% died in induction. The probability of continuous CR (CCR) at 5 yrs was overall 53% and 64% for Thy-T, but only 30% (p