Chemoimmunotherapy with a modified hyper-CVAD and rituximab regimen improves outcome in de novo Philadelphia chromosome-negative precursor B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The adverse prognosis of CD20 expression in adults with de novo precursor B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) prompted incorporation of monoclonal antibody therapy with rituximab into the intensive chemotherapy regimen hyper-CVAD (fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone). Other modifications (irrespective of CD20 expression) included early anthracycline intensification, alterations in number of risk-adapted intrathecal chemotherapy treatments for CNS prophylaxis, additional early and late intensifications, and extension of maintenance phase chemotherapy by 6 months.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Two hundred eighty-two adolescents and adults with de novo Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative precursor B-lineage ALL were treated with standard or modified hyper-CVAD regimens. The latter incorporated standard-dose rituximab if CD20 expression > or = 20%.

RESULTS:

The complete remission (CR) rate was 95% with 3-year rates of CR duration (CRD) and survival (OS) of 60% and 50%, respectively. In the younger (age < 60 years) CD20-positive subset, rates of CRD and OS were superior with the modified hyper-CVAD and rituximab regimens compared with standard hyper-CVAD (70% v 38%; P < .001% and 75% v 47%, P = .003). In contrast, rates of CRD and OS for CD20-negative counterparts treated with modified versus standard hyper-CVAD regimens were similar (72% v 68%, P = not significant [NS] and 64% v 65%, P = NS, respectively). Older patients with CD20-positive ALL did not benefit from rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy (rates of CRD 45% v 50%, P = NS and OS 28% v 32%, P = NS, respectively), related in part to deaths in CR.

CONCLUSION:

The incorporation of rituximab into the hyper-CVAD regimen appears to improve outcome for younger patients with CD20-positive Ph-negative precursor B-lineage ALL.

• Authors: Deborah A Thomas, Susan O'Brien, Stefan Faderl, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Alessandra Ferrajoli, William Wierda, Farhad Ravandi, Srdan Verstovsek, Jeffrey L Jorgensen, Carlos Bueso-Ramos, Michael Andreeff, Sherry Pierce, Rebecca Garris, Michael J Keating, Jorge Cortes, Hagop M Kantarjian
• Journal: Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (J Clin Oncol) Vol. 28 Issue 24 Pg. 3880-9 (Aug 20 2010) ISSN: 1527-7755 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20660823 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Immunologic Factors
• Rituximab
• Vincristine
• Dexamethasone
• Doxorubicin
• Cyclophosphamide

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Cyclophosphamide (administration & dosage)
• Dexamethasone (administration & dosage)
• Doxorubicin (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunologic Factors (administration & dosage)
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Philadelphia Chromosome
• Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma (drug therapy)
• Prognosis
• Remission Induction
• Rituximab
• Treatment Outcome
• Vincristine (administration & dosage)
• Young Adult