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Leukemia: Bibliography of ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) Journal Articles

The articles listed on this page in no way reflect the total number of journal articles on ALL. Some are ones which I came across or have a copy of for personal interest; some were given in online discussions; some I came across from PubMed searches. I note at each reference if I have a copy of the article and if possible give a link to the PubMed abstract. Some articles are available online as full-text web versions or pdf files.

You can do your own search on PubMed for articles on ALL (or any topic). PubMed is the National Library of Medicine's search service that provides access to over 11 million citations in MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, and other related databases, with links to participating online journals. The PubMed link is in the navigation links on the left-side of this web page.

Where to find government-funded childhood leukemia research

The US government publishes a web site that lists projects funded by NCI, including the dollar amount, name of project, project director, and institution. The list is searchable by year or key word. I'm not sure it fits in here with published journal articles, but it is interesting, and you might follow the leads to find specific interests, such as studies on a specific drug or perhaps the possibility that radon causes childhood leukemia.

NCI funded research portfolio

General ALL Articles

The articles are listed in chronological order, most recent first.

Note: some of the links expire as the hosting web site moves articles.

(for relapsed ALL, please see the separate Relapsed ALL bibliography)

2012

The Fat1 cadherin is overexpressed and an independent prognostic factor for survival in paired diagnosis–relapse samples of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. C E de Bock et al., Leukemia (2012) 26, 918–926. Abstract.

Changes in Cardiac Biomarkers During Doxorubicin Treatment of Pediatric Patients With High-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Associations With Long-Term Echocardiographic Outcomes. Steven E. Lipshultz et al., American Society of Clinical Oncology, epub February 27, 2012. Abstract. The article discusses the potential of the biomarkers cTnT and NT-proBNP as indicators of cardiotoxicity. The use of dexrazoxane is mentioned (it lowers the biomarkers).

Modifications to induction therapy decrease risk of early death in infants with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated on Children's Oncology Group P9407. Wanda L. Salzer et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, epub 5 APR 2012. Abstract. "Early morbidity and mortality for infants with ALL were reduced by substitution of prednisone (40 mg/m2/day) for dexamethasone (10 mg/m2/day), the delivery of daunorubicin over 30 minutes instead of a continuous infusion for 48 hours, and the provision of more specific supportive care measures."

A Non-natural Nucleoside with Combined Therapeutic and Diagnostic Activities against Leukemia. Motea EA, Lee I, Berdis AJ, ACS Chem Biol. 2012 Mar 13. Abstract. Lay article.

CREBBP HAT domain mutations prevail in relapse cases of high hyperdiploid childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A Inthal et al., Leukemia (5 March 2012). Abstract. High hyperdiploid (HD) is generally a good prognosis factor; however, about 15% of children with HD relapse. Although the numbers are small (7/16), there appears to be a mutation in the histone-modifying CREB-binding protein (CREBBP) gene in the HAT region that is associated with a drug-resistant sub-class of ALL.

Immunophenotype of Chinese Patients with T-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Its Association to Biological and Clinical Features. Haixia Tong et al., Acta Haematol, Vol. 127, No. 4, 2012. Abstract. Discusses myeloid antigen (MyAg) expression.

Racial and ethnic disparities in survival of US children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: evidence from the SEER database 1988–2008. William B. Goggins and Fiona F. K. Lo, Cancer Causes and Control, epub March 30, 2012. Abstract. "Previously observed poorer prognosis for childhood ALL for some minority groups appears to be shared by most Asians as well. Further research is needed to find explanations for the poorer survival of minority children with ALL and possible treatment implications."

Variants of the MTHFR gene and susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children: A synthesis of genetic association studies. Elias Zintzaras et al., Cancer Epidemiology Volume 36, Issue 2 , Pages 169-176, April 2012. Abstract. "The current evidence is not sufficient to draw definite conclusions regarding the association of MTHFR variants and development of ALL."

The activity of the inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase affects toxicity of 6-mercaptopurine during maintenance therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Japanese children. Yoichi Tanaka et al., Leukemia Research Volume 36, Issue 5 , Pages 560-564, May 2012. Abstract. "The association between inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA) activity and toxicity of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP)..."

Adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia have a better outcome when treated with pediatric-inspired regimens: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Ron Ram et al., American Journal of Hematology, epub 3 MAR 2012. Abstract.

Improved Survival for Children and Adolescents With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Between 1990 and 2005: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group. Stephen P. Hunger et al, JCO, epub March 12, 2012. Abstract.

FLAG-liposomal Doxorubicin (Myocet) Regimen for Refractory or Relapsed Acute Leukemia Pediatric Patients. Quarello P et al., J Pediatr Hematol Oncol., epub 2012 Mar 2. Abstract. FLAG therapy is fludarabine with cytarabine and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin used in combination with FLAG therapy showed promise. (A small trial, not a huge improvement.)

Clofarabine in pediatric acute leukemia: Current findings and issues. Nobuko Hijiya et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, epub 21 FEB 2012. Abstract. A review article.

Improved survival in matched unrelated donor transplant for childhood ALL since the introduction of high-resolution matching at HLA class I and II. J Harvey et al., Bone Marrow Transplantation, epub 20 February 2012. Abstract.

Inotuzumab ozogamicin, an anti-CD22—calecheamicin conjugate, for refractory and relapsed acute lymphocytic leukaemia: a phase 2 study. Hagop Kantarjian et al., The Lancet Oncology, epub, 21 February 2012. Abstract.

Spotlight on Dasatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. McCormack, Paul L.; Keam, Susan J. Biodrugs: 1 February 2012 - Volume 26 - Issue 1 - pp 61-64. Abstract. ". . . oral dasatinib is a highly effective, once-daily therapy . . . for the treatment of patients with imatinib-resistant or -intolerant chronic- and advanced-phase CML or Ph+ ALL.

Differential MiRNA expression in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and association with clinical and biological features. Jaqueline Carvalho de Oliveira et al., Leukemia Research, Volume 36, Issue 3 , Pages 293-298, March 2012. Abstract. "A significant association was observed between higher expression levels of miR-196b and T-ALL, miR-100 and patients with low white blood cell count at diagnosis and t(12;21) positive ALL."

Feasibility of neurobehavioral screening following diagnosis of pediatric cancer. Laura P. Pejnovic et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, epub 11 JAN 2012. Abstract. The study toned down a long neurobehavioral assessment to target at the neurobehavioral domains known to be impacted by cancer treatments, thus making the assessment more feasible for childhood cancer patients.

Palonosetron for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with high dose methotrexate. Sambavy Nadaraja et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, epub 11 JAN 2012. Abstract. Palonosetron (INN, trade name Aloxi) is of the same drug class as Ondansetron (Zofran) but doesn't have to be administrated as often.

Gene Dose Effects of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 Polymorphisms on Outcome in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Borst, Louise et al., Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, epub 12 January 2012. Abstract.

AMP-dependent kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: therapeutic implications. C Grimaldi et al., Leukemia (2012) 26, 91–100. Abstract. "mTORC1 activity can be downmodulated by upregulating the liver kinase B1/AMP-activated protein kinase (LKB1/AMPK) pathway. Here, we have explored the therapeutic potential of the anti-diabetic drug, metformin (an LKB1/AMPK activator), against both T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines and primary samples from T-ALL patients displaying mTORC1 activation."

Complete morphologic and molecular remission after introduction of dasatinib in the treatment of a pediatric patient with t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and ABL1 amplification. Ofelia Crombet et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, epub 3 JAN 2012. ". . . ABL1 fusions are present in approximately 8% of the cases. Dasatinib [Gleevec] . . . directly targets the BCR-ABL gene. We describe a pediatric case of T-cell ALL with amplification of the ABL1 gene in which remission was achieved only after the addition of dasatinib to conventional chemotherapy."

2011

Statins are active in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL): a therapy that may treat ALL and prevent avascular necrosis. Sheen C et al., Br J Haematol, 2011 Nov;155(3):403-7. Abstract. Based on these preclinical studies, clinicians are using statins in patients off-label and multi-institutional cooperative group clinical trials are under development, moving pravastatin forward as an AVN preventing agent (Sala et al, 2007).

Oral health status in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Javed F et al., Critical Reviews in Oncology/ Hematology, epub 05 December 2011. Abstract.

Absolute lymphocyte counts refine minimal residual disease-based risk stratification in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Karen R. Rabin et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, epub 18 NOV 2011. Abstract. Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) at day 29 of induction "constitutes a significant and independent prognostic factor in childhood ALL that may refine current MRD-based risk stratification algorithms and provide key prognostic information in settings where MRD determination is not feasible." "Patients with ALC-29 >1,500 cells/µl had a superior 6-year relapse-free survival . . . " (The same authors have another article, below.)

Comparison of allergic reactions to pegasparaginase given intravenously versus intramuscularly. Mahati Pidaparti, Bruce Bostrom, Pediatric Blood & Cancer, epub 20 OCT 2011. Abstract.

Immunophenotype and cytogenetic characteristics in the relationship between birth weight and childhood leukemia. Kate A. O'Neill et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 58, Issue 1, pages 7–11, January 2012. Abstract.

Promotional etiology for common childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: The infective lymphoid recovery hypothesis. Richard B. Richardson et al., Leukemia Research Volume 35, Issue 11 , Pages 1425-1431, November 2011. Abstract.

Polymorphism of the thymidylate synthase gene and risk of relapse in childhood ALL. Jacek J. Pietrzyk , et al., Leukemia Research Volume 35, Issue 11 , Pages 1464-1466, November 2011. Abstract.

High concordance of subtypes of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia within families: lessons from sibships with multiple cases of leukemia. K Schmiegelow et al., Leukemia, epub 18 October 2011. Abstract. A small study; briefly, the risk of developing ALL might be inherited, but only for certain sub-types, such as T- or pre-B- or ETV6/RUNX1 or MLL.

Phase I trial of a novel human monoclonal antibody mAb216 in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Michaela Liedtke et al., Haematologica, epub 11 October 2011. Abstract. Promising results; mostly adults. "Human mAb216 is a naturally occurring human monoclonal IgM antibody."

The impact of therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia on intelligence quotients; results of the risk-stratified randomized central nervous system treatment trial MRC UKALL XI. Christina Halsey et al., Journal of Hematology & Oncology 2011, 4:42, epub 13 October 2011. Abstract. "Children with ALL are at risk of CNS morbidity, regardless of the mode of CNS-directed therapy."

Haplotypes of DNA repair and cell cycle control genes, X-ray exposure, and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Anand P. Chokkalingam et allm Cancer Causes and Control, epub 10/14/2011. Abstract. "These results support a role of altered DNA repair and cell cycle processes in the risk of childhood ALL, and show that this genetic susceptibility can differ by cytogenetic subtype and may be modified by exposure to ionizing radiation."

How to manage vaccinations in children with cancer. Antonio Ruggiero et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 57, Issue 7, pages 1104–1108, 15 December 2011. Abstract.

Cognitive Emotion Regulation in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Firoozi M et al., Iranian Journal of Cancer Prevention, Vol. 4, No. 4, Autumn 2011. Abstract. Survivors of childhood ALL "function better emotionally compared with normal children", showing lower levels of post traumatic stress syndrome and lower depression levels. 78 children were studied.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children with Down syndrome: an updated review. Kelly W. Maloney, British Journal of Haematology, epub 21 SEP 2011. Abstract.

Prospective Study on Incidence, Risk Factors, and Long-Term Outcome of Osteonecrosis in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Mariël L. te Winkel et al., American Society of Clinical Oncology, epub September 26, 2011. Abstract. "Six percent of pediatric patients with ALL developed symptomatic osteonecrosis during or shortly after treatment. Older age and female sex were risk factors."

Management of osteonecrosis in children and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Ajay Vora, British Journal of Haematology, epub 21 SEP 2011. Abstract.

ETV6-RUNX1-positive childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: improved outcome with contemporary therapy. D Bhojwani et al., Leukemia, epub 26 August 2011. Abstract. From St Jude: ". . . the MRD-guided treatment schema including intensive asparaginase and high-dose methotrexate in the Total XV study produced significantly better outcomes than previous regimens and demonstrated that nearly all children with ETV6-RUNX1 ALL can be cured." (ETV6-RUNX1 is the new name for tel-AML1).

The epidemiology of herpes zoster in 226 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Gitte Vrelits Sørensen et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 57, Issue 6, pages 993–997, 1 December 2011. Abstract.

Microarray-based genomic profiling as a diagnostic tool in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Annet Simons et al., Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer, epub 31 AUG 2011. Abstract. (I discuss this further, see the New Treatments page.)

Risk factors for treatment related mortality in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Bendik Lund et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 56, Issue 4, pages 551–559, April 2011. Abstract.

Minimal residual disease in peripheral blood at day 15 identifies subgroup of childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia with superior prognosis. Jana Volejnikova et al., Haematologica, epub 31 August 2011. Abstract. "Conclusions. Minimal residual disease in peripheral blood at day 15 identified a large group of patients with an excellent prognosis and added prognostic information to the risk stratification based on minimal residual disease at day 33 and week 12." Note that this is peripheral blood, not a bone marrow aspirate.

Prognostic value of MRD-dynamics in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated according to the MB-2002/2008 protocols. Alexander N. Meleshko et al., Leukemia Research, Volume 35, Issue 10, Pages 1312-1320 (October 2011). Abstract. MRD value cut-off at 0.001 was significant. European study. MRD determined by RQ-PCR analysis of clonal Ig/TCR rearrangements.

Long-term follow-up of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on treatment outcomes. Partow Kebriaei et al., Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, epub 24 August 2011. Abstract.

Individualized toxicity-titrated 6-mercaptopurine increments during high-dose methotrexate consolidation treatment of lower risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. A Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO) pilot study. Thomas L. Frandsen et al., British Journal of Haematology, epub 18 AUG 2011. Abstract.

Prognostic relevance of RUNX1 mutations in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Vera Grossmann et al., Haematologica, epub 9 August 2011. Abstract. "In conclusion, RUNX1 mutations are an important novel biomarker for a comprehensive characterization of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with poor prognostic impact and are implied to be used also for disease monitoring."

Defining the correct role of minimal residual disease tests in the management of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Giovanni Cazzaniga et al., British Journal of Haematology, epub 4 AUG 2011. Abstract.

Zinc: Treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia using zinc adjuvant with chemotherapy and radiation--a case history and hypothesis. Eby GA, Med Hypotheses. 2005;64(6):1124-6. Abstract. This is a 2005 article, but I'm putting it near the top of this list because I find it interesting.

Notch in T-ALL: new players in a complex disease. Ute Koch and Freddy Radtkesend. Summary Main Text References To view the full text, please login as a subscribed user or purchase a subscription. Click here to view the full text on ScienceDirect. PDF 639 KB Export Citation Permissions Trends in Immunology, 19 July 2011. Abstract. A review article.

Overweight as a Prognostic Factor in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Obesity, epub 30 June 2011. Abstract.

Genetic variants in the folate pathway and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Catherine Metayer et al., Cancer Causes and Control, epub 7/2011. Abstract. (MTHFR) "In conclusion, our data do not support associations between childhood ALL and SNPs or haplotypes in the MTHFR gene. The strongest associations were found for the CBS gene, with SNPs located in or adjacent to the gene region. There were also suggestions of associations with haplotype blocks in genes MTRR, and TYMS/ENOFS1."

Five-year single-center study of asparaginase therapy within the ALL-BFM 2000 trial. Dominik Schrey et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 57, Issue 3, pages 378–384, September 2011. Abstract.

Microarray detection of multiple recurring submicroscopic chromosomal aberrations in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. L Yu et al., Leukemia 25, 1042-1046 (June 2011). Abstract.

Cost-effective multiplexing before capture allows screening of 25 000 clinically relevant SNPs in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A Wesolowska et al., Leukemia (2011) 25, 1001–1006. Abstract.

Meta-analysis of randomised trials comparing thiopurines in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. G Escherich et al., Leukemia (2011) 25, 953–959. Abstract. Study of completed trials of TG vs MP; EFS not significantly greater with TG; TG has greater toxicity; TG might be better for certain subgroups.

Early UK experience in the use of clofarabine in the treatment of relapsed and refractory paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. David O'Connor et al., British Journal of Haematology, epub 21 JUN 2011. Abstract. Small group of patients, both B and T cell disease.

Study of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic contribution to the toxicity of high-dose methotrexate in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Noha M. EL-Khodary et al., Medical Oncology, June 2011. Abstract. MTHFR.

Profound deficit of IL10 at birth in children who develop childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Jeffrey S Chang et al., Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, epub 6/10/2011. Abstract.

Clinical significance of low levels of minimal residual disease at the end of remission induction therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Patricia Stow et al., Blood, epub March 19, 2010. Abstract. (Full text available online.) MRD levels in the range 0.01-0.001% at day 46 indicate over a two-fold chance of relapse as opposed to MRD of less than 0.001%. 455 patients studied; PCR monitoring used; Pui is a co-author.

Cost-effectiveness of treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with chemotherapy only: The influence of new medication and diagnostic technology. Raphaële R.L. van Litsenburg et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, epub 25 MAY 2011. Abstract.

Neurobehavioral side effects of corticosteroids during active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children are age-dependent: Report from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium Protocol 00-01. Christine M. Mrakotsky et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 10 MAY 2011. Abstract.

Comparison of propofol versus propofol–ketamine combination in pediatric oncologic procedures performed by non-anesthesiologists. Antonio Chiaretti et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 16 MAY 2011. Abstract. "The combination of propofol and ketamine produced statistically significant clinical advantages combined with a higher profile of safety in children with cancer undergoing painful procedures."

Soluble Fas and Fas ligand and prognosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Mina Fathi, Zahra Amirghofran and Mehdi Shahriari, Medical Oncology, 05/12/2011. Abstract. The Fas/Fas ligand system is a key signaling pathway of apoptosis; levels of these entities correlate with disease progression in various malignancies.

Prognostic Value of Persistent Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow Lymphoblasts on Day 15 of Therapy in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia as Detected by Flow Cytometry. Jaworksa–Posadzy A et al., Anticancer Research, 05/10/2011. Abstract. The authors conclude that MRD in the bone marrow >0.5% as detected by flow cytometry at day 15 is possibly the strongest prognostic factor in pediatric ALL. Note that the new generation of trials by COG uses MRD in the bone marrow of >0.01% as the prognostic factor. (COG uses flow cytometry to detect MRD.)

Risk of azole-enhanced vincristine neurotoxicity in pediatric patients with hematological malignancies: Old problem – New Dilemma. Zoe Dorothea Pana, Emmanuel Roilides, Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 57, Issue 1, pages 30–35, 15 July 2011. Abstract. This review article addresses the co-administration of itraconazole, an antifungal triazole, and vincristine; the triazole seems to increase the risk of incristine neurotoxicity.

Dexamethasone versus prednisone for induction therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. O Teuffel et al., Leukemia, 29 April 2011. Abstract. "DEX in induction therapy for children with ALL is more efficacious than PRED. However, DEX is also associated with more toxicity, and currently it remains unclear whether short-term superiority of DEX will also result in better overall survival."

Late Recurrence of Childhood T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Frequently Represents a Second Leukemia Rather Than a Relapse: First Evidence for Genetic Predisposition. Tomasz Szczepanski et al., JCO February 28, 2011. Abstract. "Conclusion More than one third of late T-ALL recurrences are, in fact, second leukemias. Germline genetic abnormalities might contribute to the susceptibility of some patients to develop T-ALL."

A meta-analysis of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. Jingrong Yan et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 14 APR 2011. Abstract. "These results suggest that the MTHFR C677T, but not A1298C, polymorphism is a potential biomarker for childhood ALL risk."

The impact of CYP3A5*3 on risk and prognosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Louise Borst et al., European Journal of Haematology, published early 2011. Abstract. CYP3A5*3 is Cytochrome P450 3A5. "This study shows that genetics may play a role in the risk of developing childhood ALL . . . " Also, different inherited versions of the alleles have an impact on prognosis in T-cell ALL.

Thiopurine methyltransferase polymorphisms and mercaptopurine tolerance in Turkish children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Meryem Albayrak et al., Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, online first 2011. Abstract. (TPMT) "Polymorphic variants were associated with excessive 6-MP toxicity supporting the suggestion that TPMT genotyping should be performed before institution of 6-MP therapy."

High dose methotrexate treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia may be optimised by a weight-based dose calculation. Peter Jönsson et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 21 MAR 2011. Abstract.

No advantage of a rotational continuation phase in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood treated with a BFM back-bone therapy. Maria S. Felice et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 10 MAR 2011. Abstract. Results of a 1996-2002 study. Intensification of continuation (maintenance) therapy did not improve outcomes. (One arm of trial was "rotating pairs".)

Polymorphisms of the SLCO1B1 gene predict methotrexate-related toxicity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Elixabet Lopez-Lopez et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 8 MAR 2011. Abstract.

Improving outcomes for high-risk ALL: Translating new discoveries into clinical care. Stephen P. Hunger et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 15 FEB 2011. Abstract.

Multivariate analysis of the relation between immune dysfunction and treatment intensity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Torben Ek et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, published online: 22 FEB 2011. Abstract. Discusses the decreased immune response post-treatment of children treated for ALL.

Favorable outcome of unrelated cord blood transplantation for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Onishi Y et al., Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 03/03/2011.

A cost effectiveness analysis of thiopurine methyltransferase testing for guiding 6-mercaptopurine dosing in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Jennifer R. Donnan et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, published online: 25 FEB 2011. Abstract. "The present analysis suggests that screening for TPMT mutations using either genotype or enzymatic laboratory tests prior to the administration of 6-MP in pediatric ALL patients is not cost-effective." TPMT, see the importance of TPMT testing in the Candlelighters/ACCO article.

Late recurrence of childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia frequently represents a second leukemia rather than a relapse: First evidence for genetic predisposition. Tomasz Szczepanski et al., JCO February 28, 2011. Abstract. "More than one third of late T-ALL recurrences are, in fact, second leukemias." (22 patients)

Bone marrow aspiration technique may have an impact on therapy stratification in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Jon Helgestad et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, published online: 25 FEB 2011. Abstract. A report from a group in Denmark: "The amount of minimal residual disease should be measured in the first 2.5 ml of bone marrow aspirated from one puncture site. The procedure should be performed by experienced and carefully instructed doctors. In large aspirates, minimal residual disease will be underestimated, which may lead to failure to undertake a required intensification of therapy and a lower fraction of high risk patients in the trial."

Augmented therapy improves outcome for pediatric high risk acute lymphocytic leukemia: Results of Children's Oncology Group trial P9906. W. Paul Bowman et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, published online: 25 FEB 2011. Abstract. POG 9906 was a trial for high risk ALL around 2001; this trial was pre-MRD-directing therapies, although MRD was measured and the results reported.

The long-term impact of in vitro drug sensitivity testing on risk stratification and treatment outcome in acute lymphoblastic leukemia of childhood (CoALL 06-97). Gabriele Escherich et al., Haematologica, published online 17 February 2011. Abstract. In this European study, patients with in vitro sensitivity to prednisolone, vincristine and asparaginase were treated with a less aggressive protocol. Although this strategy was subsequently abandandoned, they found that "moderate reduction in treatment intensity for patients with a sensitive in vitro profile was possible without jeopardizing treatment outcome. "

Improving outcomes for high-risk all: Translating new discoveries into clinical care. Stephen P. Hunger et. al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 15 FEB 2011. Abstract.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Down syndrome: the collaborative study of the Tokyo Children's Cancer Study Group and the Kyushu Yamaguchi Children's Cancer Study Group. Hiroaki Goto et al., International Journal of Hematology Volume 93, Number 2, 192-198, 2011. Abstract.

Neuropathic pain during treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Doralina L. Anghelescu et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 11 FEB 2011. Abstract. "Our results highlight the need for prospective randomized studies to elucidate the value of gabapentin regimen for prevention or treatment of vincristine-related pain during treatment of childhood leukemia." (Gabapentin is sold under the brand name Neurontin.)

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) polymorphisms in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and the need for reduction or cessation of 6-mercaptopurine doses during maintenance therapy: The Polish multicenter analysis. Jaroslaw Peregud-Pogorzelski et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 11 FEB 2011. Abstract.

Integrated use of minimal residual disease classification and IKZF1 alteration status accurately predicts 79% of relapses in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. E Waanders et al., Leukemia (2011) 25, 254–258. Abstract. As we all know, MRD is currently used to predict ALL relapse risk, and thus directs the treatment plan. However, the relapse rate of patients in the medium MRD risk group is difficult to predict. However, IKZF1 (Ikaros zinc finger-1) positive patients are more likely to relapse, and thus this can be combined with MRD to determine risk status. MRD medium risk is defined by the authors as less than 0.0005; negative is not detectable, high is greater than 0.0005. MRD time point are at the end of induction (day 42) and day 84.

Vitamin D status in paediatric patients with cancer. Akash Sinha et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 3 FEB 2011. Abstract. "Vitamin D levels are lower in survivors of childhood cancer in comparison to control children with the majority either insufficient or deficient."

Clinical Characteristics, Biological Profile, and Outcome of Biphenotypic Acute Leukemia: A Case Series. Yanming Zhang et al., Acta Haematol 2011;125:210-218. Abstract.

Minimal residual disease assessment in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a Swedish multi-centre study comparing real-time polymerase chain reaction and multicolour flow cytometry. Ingrid Thörn et al., British Journal of Haematology Early View, 20 JAN 2011. Abstract.

Pediatric oncologists' practices of prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for children and adolescents with cancer: A multi-site study. Sean Phipps et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 31 JAN 2011. Abstract. Cautionary report on the ways that SSRIs are used in childhood cancer patients.

The successful integration of research and care: How pediatric oncology became the subspecialty in which research defines the standard of care. Yoram Unguru, Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 31 JAN 2011. Abstract. An interesting article on the treatment of ALL and how it revolutionized the integration of research into treatment plans for cancer. This brings to mind the book by John Laszlo, The Cure of Childhood Leukemia, Into the Age of Miracles.

The frequency and prognostic impact of dic(9;20)(p13.2;q11.2) in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results from the NOPHO ALL-2000 trial. V Zachariadis et al., Leukemia , (18 January 2011). Abstract. "We conclude that dic(9;20) is twice as common as previously surmised, with many cases going undetected by G-banding analysis, and that dic(9;20) should be considered a non-standard risk abnormality." Present in 2-4% of childhood ALL cases.

MicroRNAs characterize genetic diversity and drug resistance in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Diana Schotte et al., Haematologica, published online 1/17/2011. Abstract. Interesting article on micro RNAs and their relationship to TEL-AML1 and hyperdiploidy (Tel-Aml and hyperdiploidy patterns overlap), as well as drug resistance and underlying causes of leukemia. Micro RNAs could have prognostic value.

Feasibility and parent satisfaction of a physical therapy intervention program for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the first 6 months of medical treatment. Shadi Farzin Gohar et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, early view first published online: 16 JAN 2011. Abstract. Nine patients, improvement of gross motor function and reported quality of life.

Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children: new and emerging treatment options. Kirk R Schultz et al., Expert Review of Hematology December 2010, Vol. 3, No. 6, Pages 731-742. Abstract. "Although targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have limited activity against Ph+ ALL as a single agent, they have been evaluated in combination with chemotherapy with promising results. The early results of Children's Oncology Group trial AALL0031 have shown 88% 3-year event-free survival for Ph+ patients treated with intensive chemotherapy plus continuous-dosing imatinib. This suggests that chemotherapy plus TKIs may be the initial treatment of choice for Ph+ ALL in children. However, the numbers are small in this trial and confirmatory results are not yet available from the European Intergroup Study on Post Induction Treatment of Philadelphia Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia with Imatinib trial. Additional issues include determining the most effective TKI (imatinib, dasatinib or nilotinib) and the most effective, least toxic chemotherapy backbone. The experience of adding a targeted agent such as a TKI to the standard chemotherapy regimen suggests that this strategy might be applied to other ALL subtypes to achieve both increased efficacy and decreased toxicity."

Pre-transplant imatinib-based therapy improves the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for BCR–ABL-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. S Mizuta et al., Leukemia (2011) 25, 41–47; published online 14 October 2010. Abstract.

Successful treatment of a child with T/myeloid acute bilineal leukemia associated with TLX3/BCL11B fusion and 9q deletion. Jennifer L. Oliveira et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 56, Issue 3, pages 467–469, March 2011. Abstract.

Increased risk of vincristine neurotoxicity associated with low CYP3A5 expression genotype in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Akinbode Egbelakin et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 56, Issue 3, pages 361–367, March 2011. Abstract. CYP3A5 expressers experience less vincristine neurotoxicity (peripheral neuropathy) than do non-expressers (but the difference isn't huge: "In children with pre B ALL, CYP3A5 expressers experience less VIPN, produce more M1, and have lower metabolic ratios compared to CYP3A5 non-expressers." Also access the podcast on this paper.

Cytotoxicity, drug combinability, and biological correlates of ABT-737 against acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells with MLL rearrangement. Aarthi Jayanthan et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 56, Issue 3, pp. 353–360, March 2011. Abstract. Works on BCL-2 as a targeted therapeutic; has shown promise in pediatric cell lines in culture.

Improved Prognosis for Older Adolescents With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Ching–Hon Pui et al., Journal of Clinical Oncology, 01/07/2011. Abstract. EFS for 15-18 year olds (44 patients) was 86% using study XV at St Jude, "the level of residual disease was used to guide treatment, which featured intensive methotrexate, glucocorticoid, vincristine, and asparaginase, as well as early triple intrathecal therapy for higher-risk ALL."

2010

New Strategies in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Translating Advances in Genomics into Clinical Practice. Charles G Mullighan, Clin Cancer Res, Published OnlineFirst December 13, 2010. Abstract. "Deletion or sequence mutation of the lymphoid transcription factor gene IKZF1 (IKAROS) is associated is associated with a high rate of leukemic relapse..." (A targeted therapeutics article.)

Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and pharmacogenetic determinants of osteonecrosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Jitesh D. Kawedia et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online December 10, 2010. Abstract.

Analysis of the Role of Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation in Infants With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in First Remission and MLL Gene Rearrangements: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group. Dreyer ZE et al., JCO December 6, 2010. Abstract. "The 5-year EFS rate was 48.8% (95% CI, 33.9% to 63.7%) in patients who received HSCT and 48.7% (95% CI, 33.8% to 63.6%) in patients treated with chemotherapy alone (P = .60)."

Demographic, clinical and outcome features of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and CRLF2 deregulation: results from the MRC ALL97 clinical trial. Hannah M Ensor et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online November 29, 2010. Abstract. ". . . we concluded that patients with CRLF2-d should be classified into the intermediate cytogenetic risk group." (Has association with Dows syndrome.)

The favorable effect of activating NOTCH1 receptor mutations on long-term outcome in T-ALL patients treated on the ALL–BFM 2000 protocol can be separated from FBXW7 loss of function. C Kox et al., Leukemia (2010) 24, pp. 2005–2013. Abstract. " . . . confirms the low relapse rate generally and the overall favorable effect of activating NOTCH1 mutations. Subgroup analysis shows that the NOTCH1 effect in ALL–BFM is restricted to patients with rapid early treatment response . . . . [comparison with other trials] suggests that the NOTCH effect is treatment dependent generally and may depend on the intensity of central nervous system-directed therapy specifically."

NOTCH1 and/or FBXW7 mutations predict for initial good prednisone response but not for improved outcome in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients treated on DCOG or COALL protocols. L Zuurbier et al., Leukemia (2010) 24, pp. 2014–2022. Abstract.

NOTCH1 and FBXW7 mutations have a favorable impact on early response to treatment, but not on outcome, in children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) treated on EORTC trials 58881 and 58951. E Clappier et al., Leukemia (2010) 24, pp. 2023–2031. Abstract.

A Pilot Study to Examine the Feasibility and Effects of a Home-Based Aerobic Program on Reducing Fatigue in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Yeh, Chao Hsing et al., Cancer Nursing: Jan/Feb 2011, Volume 34, Issue 1, pp 3-12. Abstract. ". . . the finding indicated that children who received the exercise intervention reported significantly lower "general fatigue" . . . "

Genetic rearrangements in relation to immunophenotype and outcome in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Jules P.P. Meijerink, Best Practice & Research: Clinical Haematology, Volume 23, Issue 3, pp. 307-318 (September 2010). Abstract. "Mutually exclusive oncogenic rearrangements may delineate specific T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) subgroups, and so far at least 4 molecular-cytogenetic subgroups have been identified, i.e. the TAL/LMO, the TLX1/HOX11, the TLX3/HOX11L2 and the HOXA subgroups."

Immunologic minimal residual disease detection in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A comparative approach to molecular testing. Elaine Coustan-Smith and Dario Campana, Best Practice & Research: Clinical Haematology, Volume 23, Issue 3, pp. 347-358 (September 2010). Abstract. "In this article, we discuss methodologic issues related to the immunologic monitoring of MRD and the evidence supporting its clinical significance, and compare the advantages and limitations of this approach to those of molecular monitoring of MRD."

Intramedullary spinal cord hemorrhage in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia following lumbar puncture. Ajay Gogia et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 56, Issue 2, pp. 329-330 (letter to the editor, no abstract available.)

Height impairment after lower dose cranial irradiation in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Arnold C. Paulino et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 56, Issue 2, pp. 279-281. Abstract.

Prognostic significance of the initial cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) involvement of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated without cranial irradiation: Results of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Children Leukemia Group study 58881. Nicolas Sirvent et al., European Journal of Cancer, online 22 November 2010. Abstract. "The presence of initial CNS involvement has no prognostic significance in EORTC 58881. Intensification of CNS-directed chemotherapy, without CNS radiation, is an effective treatment of initial meningeal leukaemic involvement."

Increased risk of vincristine neurotoxicity associated with low CYP3A5 expression genotype in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Akinbode Egbelakin et al., Pediatr Blood Cancer, first published online: 11 NOV 2010. Abstract. "We also found that vincristine neurotoxicity is less common in African-Americans (70% express CYP3A5) than in Caucasians. We test the hypothesis that CYP3A5 expressers experience less vincristine neuropathy than do CYP3A5 non-expressers. . . . In children with preB ALL, CYP3A5 expressers experience less VIPN, produce more M1, and have lower metabolic ratios compared to CYP3A5 non-expressers."

MTHFR C677T polymorphisms and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A meta-analysis. Jing Wanga, et al., Leukemia Research, Volume 34, Issue 12, Pages 1596-1600 (December 2010). Abstract. "Although MTHFR C677T was associated with increased risks of colorectal cancer, leukemia, and gastric cancer, our pooled data suggest no evidence for a major role of MTHFR C677T in the carcinogenesis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia."

Children with acute leukemia: A comparison of outcomes from allogeneic blood stem cell and bone marrow transplantation. Yu-Feng Lin et al., Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;56:143–151. Abstract. (PBSCT vs BMT)

Refining MRD-Based Risk Stratification in Pediatric ALL using Absolute Lymphocyte Counts (ALC). P Zweidler-McKay et al., abstract in ASPHO, American Society of Pediatric Hematology Ongology. Lay article on the Hematology Times site.

High frequencies of leukemia stem cells in poor-outcome childhood precursor-B acute lymphoblastic leukemias. S Moriso et al., Leukemia (2010) 24, 1859–1866. Abstract.

Mixed-phenotype acute leukemia: historical overview and a new definition. O K Weinberg and D A Arber, Leukemia (2010) 24, 1844–1851. Abstract.

Pre-transplant imatinib-based therapy improves the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for BCR–ABL-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. S Mizuta et al., Leukemia advance online publication 14 October 2010. Abstract.

Minimal residual disease-based augmented therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from the Japanese Childhood Cancer and Leukemia Study Group. Kazutaka Yamaji et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 55, Issue 7, pages 1287–1295, 15 December 2010. Abstract.

Clinical features, molecular diagnosis, and treatment outcome of infants with leukemia in Taiwan. Shih-Hsiang Chen et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 55, Issue 7, pages 1264–1271, 15 December 2010. Abstract.

CRLF2 and JAK2 in B-Progenitor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Novel Association in Oncogenesis. J. Devon Roll and Gary W. Reuther, Cancer Research, Published OnlineFirst August 31, 2010. Abstract. Implications for Downs Syndrome patients; " . . . CRLF2 may provide a new prognostic marker for high-risk B-ALL, and inhibition of CRLF2/JAK2 signaling may represent a therapeutic approach for this population of ALL patients."

Glucocorticoid use in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Hiroto Inaba and Ching-Hon Pui, The Lancet Oncology, Early Online Publication, 13 October 2010. Abstract. A good discussion/review of prednisone vs dexamethasone advantages/disadvantages.

Mixed-phenotype acute leukemia: historical overview and a new definition. O K Weinberg1 and D A Arber, Leukemia advance online publication 16 September 2010. Abstract. Important review article on mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL).

Phase 1 trial and pharmacokinetic study of the farnesyl transferase inhibitor tipifarnib in children and adolescents with refractory leukemias: A report from the children's oncology group. Brigitte C. Widemann et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 21 SEP 2010. Abstract.

Xenobiotic and folate pathway gene polymorphisms and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Javanese children. Jason Yong-Sheng Chan et al., Hematological Oncology, Article first published online: 7 SEP 2010. Abstract. "In conclusion, our study has demonstrated the importance of gender and gene-gene interaction within the xenobiotic and folate pathways in modulating childhood ALL susceptibility." MTHFR is discussed.

L-asparaginase treatment in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A focus on Erwinia asparaginase. Rob Pieters et al., Cancer, Article first published online: 7 SEP 2010. Abstract. "This article provides an overview of available evidence for optimal use of Erwinia asparaginase in the treatment of ALL."

Body mass index and blood pressure changes over the course of treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Adam J. Esbenshade et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, first published online: 21 SEP 2010. Abstract.

High white blood cell count at diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: biological background and prognostic impact: Results from the NOPHO ALL-92 and ALL-2000 studies. Goda Vaitkevi?ien? et al, European Journal of Haematology, Accepted manuscript online: 6 Sept 2010. Abstract.

The controversy of varicella vaccination in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Miguela A. Caniza et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Article first published online: 16 Sept 2010. Abstract. "The negligible rate of fatal varicella infection in children with ALL, the risk that accompanies vaccination, and the necessity of withholding chemotherapy for vaccination appear to outweigh the potential benefit of varicella vaccination for children during treatment of ALL." (Chickenpox.)

Assessment of dexrazoxane as a cardioprotectant in doxorubicin-treated children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Long-term follow-up of a prospective, randomised, multicentre trial. Steven E Lipshultz et al., The Lancet Oncology, Volume 11, Issue 10, Pages 950 - 961, October 2010. Abstract. (Zinecard) Results of a study that included 200 children. "Dexrazoxane provides long-term cardioprotection without compromising oncological efficacy in doxorubicin-treated children with high-risk ALL. Dexrazoxane exerts greater long-term cardioprotective effects in girls than in boys."

Targeting paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: novel therapies currently in development. Alisa B. Lee-Sherick et al., British Journal of Haematology, Article first published online: 31 Aug 2010. Abstract. A review article. "Many novel targeted therapies for the treatment of childhood ALL provide potential mechanisms to further improve cure rates, and provide the possibility of minimizing toxicity to non-malignant cells, given their specificity to malignant cell phenotypes. This article explores many of the potential targeted therapies in varying stages of development, from those currently in clinical trials to those still being refined in the research laboratory."

Combined analysis of minimal residual disease at two time points and its value for risk stratification in childhood B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Lei Cuia et al., Leuk Res, Volume 34, Issue 10, Pages 1314-1319 (October 2010). Abstract.

Genomic profiling of high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J R Collins-Underwood and C G Mullighan, Leukemia (2010) 24, 1676–1685. Abstract. A review article. Full text provided; an interesting article on the disease process in leukemia.

Genetic Polymorphisms in Adaptive Immunity Genes and Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Jeffrey S. Chang et al., Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2010. Abstract. "Results of this study support an immune-related etiology of childhood ALL."

Identification of novel cluster groups in pediatric high-risk B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia with gene expression profiling: correlation with genome-wide DNA copy number alterations, clinical characteristics, and outcome. Richard C Harvey et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online August 10, 2010. Abstract. "These studies reveal the striking clinical and genetic heterogeneity in high-risk ALL and point to novel genes which may serve as new targets for diagnosis, risk classification, and therapy."

Prognostic Factors for Outcomes of Pediatric Patients with Refractory or Relapsed Acute Leukemia Undergoing Allogeneic Progenitor Cell Transplantation. Nobuhiro Watanabe et al., Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, published online 05 August 2010. Abstract.

Detection of prognostically relevant genetic abnormalities in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Christine J. Harrison et al., British Journal of Haematology Volume 151, Issue 2, pages 132–142, October 2010. Abstract. "The abnormalities with the most significant impact for treatment and management of BCP-ALL are t(9;22)(q34;q11)/BCR-ABL1, t(4;11)(q21;q23)/MLL-AFF1 and near-haploidy/low hypodiploidy for high risk stratification and, to a lesser extent, t(12;21)(p13;q22)/ETV6-RUNX1 and high hyperdiploidy for good risk management."

High frequency of immature cells at diagnosis predicts high minimal residual disease level in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Martin Ebinger et al., Leuk Res, Volume 34, Issue 9, Pages 1139-1142 (September 2010). Abstract. "Our results suggest that the initial frequency of CD34+/CD38− cells may serve as a prognostic marker in pediatric ALL."

Application of genomics for risk stratification of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: from bench to bedside. Shai Izraeli, British Journal of Haematology Volume 151, Issue 2, pages 119–131, October 2010. Abstract. A review: "The application of genomics for routine diagnosis of ALL is feasible but depends on commercial development of appropriate certified platforms. The discovery of several novel high-risk markers, such as deletions in IKZF1 might be integrated into clinical protocols in the near future. Several novel targets for therapy have been identified and have led to phase I/II therapeutic trials. This and any future progress depends on the maintenance of high quality bio-banks including biological material and clinical data of each patient enrolled on a prospective clinical protocol."

Interleukin (IL)-23 acts as anti-tumor agent on childhood B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Claudia Cocco et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online July 29, 2010. Abstract. "This study demonstrates that IL-23 possesses anti-leukemic activity and unravels the underlying mechanisms. Thus, IL-23 may be a candidate novel drug for the treatment of B-ALL patients unresponsive to current therapeutic standards."

Differential Ex Vivo Activity of Bortezomib in Newly Diagnosed Paediatric Acute Lymphoblastic and Myeloblastic Leukaemia. Szczepanek J et al., Anticancer Research June 1, 2010 vol. 30 no. 6 2119-2124. Abstract. "Bortezomib was the only compound which was more active in T-ALL than in common/pre-B-ALL paediatric samples. In conclusion, bortezomib had good ex vivo activity in paediatric T-ALL samples."

Absence of Biallelic TCRγ Deletion Predicts Early Treatment Failure in Pediatric T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Alejandro Gutierrez et al., J Clin Oncol, Published online before print July 19, 2010. Abstract.

Differential expression of HDAC3, HDAC7 and HDAC9 is associated with prognosis and survival in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Moreno DA et al., British Journal of Haematology, early view 2010. Abstract.

Improved outcome with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a poor prognostic subgroup of infants with mixed-lineage-leukemia (MLL)-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: results from the Interfant-99 Study. Georg Mann et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online June 30, 2010. Abstract.

Acute leukemias with ETV6/ABL1 (TEL/ABL) fusion: Poor prognosis and prenatal origin. Jan Zuna et al., Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer, Published Online: 29 Jun 2010. Abstract.

Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation for Acute Leukemia in Relapse or Primary Induction Failure. Michel Duval et al., JCO Early Release, published online ahead of print Jul 12 2010. Abstract.

IKZF1 deletions predict relapse in uniformly treated pediatric precursor B-ALL. R P Kuiper et al., Leukemia (2010) 24, 1258–1264. Abstract. "IKZF1 deletion status . . . serves as one of the strongest predictors of relapse at the time of diagnosis with high potential for future risk stratification." (IKZF1 is IKAROS)

Quality of life during active treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Lillian Sung et al., International Journal of Cancer, Published Online: 4 May 2010. Abstract.

Preemptive alloimmune intervention in high-risk pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients guided by minimal residual disease level before stem cell transplantation. A C Lankester et al., Leukemia advance online publication 10 June 2010, Abstract. "We conclude that in children with high-risk ALL, immunotherapy-based regimens after SCT are feasible and may need to be further intensified to achieve total eradication of residual leukemic cells."

Use of clofarabine for acute childhood leukemia. A Pession et al., Biologics: Targets & Therapy, June 2010 , Volume 2010:4 Pages 111 - 118. Abstract.

Gene-based outcome prediction in multiple cohorts of pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Children's Oncology Group study. Amanda L Cleaver et al., Molecular Cancer 2010, 9:105. Abstract. Full text available online.

Down syndrome childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia has a unique spectrum of sentinel cytogenetic lesions that influences treatment outcome: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. Kelly W. Maloney et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online May 4, 2010. Abstract.

A feasibility trial of a video intervention to improve informed consent for parents of children with leukemia. Rebecca A. Hazen et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 55, Issue 1, 2010, pp. 113-118. Abstract. (Other pertinent articles/comments in same issue.)

Reasons for participation in optional pharmacokinetic studies in children with cancer: A Children's Oncology Group phase 1 consortium study. Stacey L. Berg et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 55, Issue 1, 2010, pp. 119-122. Abstract.

Unique clinical and biological features of leukemia in Down syndrome children. Ana C Xavier et al., Expert Review of Hematology, April 2010, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 175-186. Review article. Abstract.

Methotrexate induced side effects are not due to differences in pharmacokinetics in children with Down syndrome and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Trudy D. Buitenkamp et al., Haematologica, published online April 2010. Abstract.

Infections during induction therapy for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The role of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP) prophylaxis. Christine Rungoe et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Published Online: 21 Apr 2010. Abstract.

Use of bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteonecrosis as a complication of therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Rishi S. Kotecha, et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 54, Issue 7, 2010, pp. 934-940. Abstract.

Genetic aberrations in paediatric acute leukaemias and implications for management of patients. Abstract. "In this review we summarise the most common genetic aberrations for the three main subtypes of paediatric acute leukaemia."

The optimal use of steroids in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: no easy answers. Jennifer L. McNeer and James B. Nachman, British Journal of Haematology Early View (Articles online in advance of print), Published Online: 12 Apr 2010. "This review will summarize the current available data on steroid use in paediatric ALL, highlighting outcomes as well as major toxicities." Abstract.

Prognostic effect of chromosomal abnormalities in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: results from the UK Medical Research Council ALL97/99 randomised trial. Anthony V Moorman et al., The Lancet Oncology, Volume 11, Issue 5, Pages 429 - 438, May 2010. Abstract. 1725 children. "Two chromosomal abnormalities were associated with a significantly better outcome (ETV6—RUNX1, hazard ratio [HR] 0·51, 95% CI 0·38—0·70 and high hyperdiploidy, 0·60, 0·47—0·78), whereas five abnormalities were associated with an increased risk of relapse (intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21 [iAMP21], 6·04, 3·90—9·35; t(9;22), 3·55, 2·21—5·72; MLL translocations, 2·98, 1·71—5·20; abnormal 17p, 2·09, 1·30—3·37; and loss of 13q, 1·87, 1·09—3·20). Multivariate analysis incorporating age, white-cell count, and treatment parameters showed that six cytogenetic abnormalities (ETV6—RUNX1, high hyperdiploidy, iAMP21, t(9;22), loss of 13q, and abnormal 17p) retained their significance for effect on relapse risk."

Gene expression profiles of infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and its prognostically distinct subsets. Sanjive Qazi and Fatih M. Uckun. British Journal of Haematology, Early View, Published Online: 4 Apr 2010. Abstract.

Clinical significance of low levels of minimal residual disease at the end of remission induction therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Patricia Stow et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online March 19, 2010. Abstract. St. Judes. "Patients with this low level of MRD had a 12.7% ± 5.1% (SE) cumulative risk of relapse at 5 years, compared with 5.0% ± 1.5% for those with lower or undetectable MRD (P = 0.0467). Thus, low levels of MRD (0.001%-<0.01%) at the end of remission induction therapy have prognostic significance in childhood ALL, suggesting that patients with this finding should be monitored closely for adverse events."

CD11b is a therapy-resistance and minimal residual disease-specific marker in precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Peter Rhein et al., Blood, 6 May 2010, Vol. 115, No. 18, pp. 3763-3771. Abstract.

Serum Carnitine Levels in Childhood Leukemia. Rogalidou, Maria et al., Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology: March 2010 - Volume 32 - Issue 2 - pp e61-e69. Abstract. "Further studies are required to clarify the role of carnitine status in patients with malignancies and possibly the necessity of carnitine supplementation during chemotherapy administration."

Standardized MRD quantification in European ALL trials: Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on MRD assessment in Kiel, Germany, 18–20 September 2008. M Brüggemann et al., Leukemia (2010) 24, 521–535. Abstract.

Telomerase activity and telomere length in acute leukemia: correlations with disease progression, subtypes and overall survival. Y. Wang et al., International Journal of Laboratory Hematology, Volume 32 Issue 2, pp. 230-238. Published Online: 15 Jul 2009. Abstract.

Prognosis of children with mixed phenotype acute leukemia treated in accordance with consistent immunophenotypic criteria. Ester Mejstrikova et al., Haematologica, Published online 9 February 2010. Abstract.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of asparaginase in the ALL-BFM 2000 protocol between 2000 and 2007. Dominik Schrey et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Published Online: 27 Jan 2010. Abstract.

Temporal changes in the incidence and pattern of central nervous system relapses in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated on four consecutive Medical Research Council trials, 1985–2001. S Krishnan et al., Leukemia (2010) 24, 450–459. Abstract.

A randomized, controlled, double-blind, pilot study of milk thistle for the treatment of hepatotoxicity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Elena J. Ladas et al., Cancer, Volume 116 Issue 2, pp. 506-513. Abstract. Study included 50 children. "No significant differences in frequency of side effects, incidence and severity of toxicities, or infections were observed between groups."

Polymorphisms in glucocorticoid receptor gene and the outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Malgorzata Labuda et al., Leuk Res,
Volume 34, Issue 4, pp. 492-497 (April 2010). Abstract.

Elevated mRNA level of hST6Gal I and hST3Gal V positively correlates with the high risk of pediatric acute leukemia. Susmita Mondal et al., Leuk Res, Volume 34, Issue 4, pp. 463-470 (April 2010). Abstract.

CD9 expression can be used to predict childhood TEL/AML1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Proposal for an accelerated diagnostic flowchart. Virginie Gandemer et al., Leuk Res, Volume 34, Issue 4, pp. 430-437 (April 2010). Abstract. The authors propose a faster procedure for optimizing the diagnosis of childhood ALL subgroups.

Oxidative Stress and Neurobehavioral Problems in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy. Stenzel, Stephanie L. et al., Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology: March 2010, Volume 32, Issue 2, pp 113-11. Abstract. The authors measured the oxidized and unoxidized components of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the CSF at dx, induction, and consolidation, and found that the levels predicted the observed aggression or hyperactivity of a child.

Severe life threatening neurotoxicity in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia receiving posaconazole and vincristine. Sandeep Jain and Gauri Kapoor, Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 54, Issue 5, 2010, p. 783. Abstract. Posaconazole is an anti-fungal.

Induction of autophagy-dependent necroptosis is required for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells to overcome glucocorticoid resistance. Laura Bonapace et al., J Clin Invest., March 1, 2010. Full text. Lay article. "Taken together, our data support a model in which the apoptotic blockade in GC-resistant ALL cells can be overcome by activating an autophagy-dependent necroptotic cell death pathway. The characteristic necroptotic features by electron microscopy and the changes in the phosphorylation profile of S6 protein provide tools to assess the biological response to combination treatment with obatoclax and dexamethasone in patients in refractory ALL. Given the acceptable toxicity profile of obatoclax in clinical studies in adults with hematologic malignancies, our study provides a compelling rationale for the evaluation of this new pharmacological strategy for the treatment of children with refractory and relapsed ALL."

Molecular response to treatment redefines all prognostic factors in children and adolescents with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results in 3184 patients of the AIEOP-BFM ALL 2000 study. Valentino Conter et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online February 1. Abstract. Molecular response means MRD. "PCR-MRD discriminated prognosis even on top of previous AIEOP-BFM stratification criteria based on WBC count, age, early response to prednisone and also genotype (including Ph+ ALL). MRD response detected by sensitive quantitative PCR at pre-defined two TPs is highly predictive for relapse in childhood pB-ALL. This may reduce the relevance of conventional prognostic factors and improve adaptation of therapy."

Toxicity assessment of molecularly targeted drugs incorporated into multiagent chemotherapy regimens for pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL): Review from an international consensus conference. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, published Online: 1 Feb 2010. Abstract.

Inactivation of LEF1 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Alejandro Gutierrez et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online February 1, 2010. Abstract. "Our findings suggest that LEF1 inactivation is an important step in the molecular pathogenesis of T-ALL in a subset of young children."

Oral 6-mercaptopurine vs. Oral 6-thioguanine and veno-occlusive disease in children with standard risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia: report of the Children's Oncology Group CCG-1952 clinical trial. Linda C. Stork et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online February 1, 2010. Abstract. "The toxicities of TG preclude its protracted use as given in this study."

The degree of myelosuppression during maintenance therapy of adolescents with B-lineage intermediate risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia predicts risk of relapse. K Schmiegelow et al., Leukemia advance online publication 4 February 2010. Abstract. ". . . compliance to maintenance therapy may influence the risk of relapse for adolescents with ALL."

Leukemia, Volume 24, Issue 2 (February 2010), has a series of "Educational Reports" on ALL clinical trials from 1983-2002. The trials are reported by all of the major research groups: COG, BFM (Europe), St Jude's, Dana Farber, COALL, Japanese, more. All of the articles have abstracts, a few have free full text access.

Leukemia Volume 24 Table of Contents

Temporal changes in the incidence and pattern of central nervous system relapses in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated on four consecutive Medical Research Council trials, 1985-2001. S Krishnan et al., Leukemia, Volume 24, Issue 2 (February 2010). Abstract.

Circulating Ki-67 protein in plasma as a biomarker and prognostic indicator of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Jean-Marie Bruey et al., Leuk Research, Volume 34, Issue 2, pp. 173-176, 2010. Abstract.

Conservative treatment of L-asparaginase-associated lipid abnormalities in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hofit Cohen et al., Ped Blood and Cancer, Published Online: 8 Jan 2010. Abstract. Blood lipids (e.g. cholesterol and TG) generally rise during treatment; conservative treatment of these levels might decrease the risk of potential complications.

Genetic variation in the folate metabolic pathway and risk of childhood leukemia. Tracy J Lightfoot et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished January 25, 2010. Abstract. ". . . in children an increased risk of ALL and AML was observed with the MTR 2756 GG genotype; the association most pronounced for cases with the MLL translocation . . . "

The Lmo2 Oncogene Initiates Leukemia in Mice by Inducing Thymocyte Self-Renewal. McCormack MP et al., Science. 2010 Jan 21. [Epub ahead of print]. Abstract. Important breakthrough for T-cell ALL.

Red wine polyphenols cause growth inhibition and apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells by inducing a redox-sensitive up-regulation of p73 and down-regulation of UHRF1. Tanveer Sharif et al., European J of Cancer, Received 24 August 2009. Abstract.

Expression and prognostic significance of the apoptotic genes BCL2L13, Livin, and CASP8AP2 in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Yung-Li Yang et al., Leukemia Research, Volume 34, Issue 1, Pages 18-23 (January 2010). Abstract.

Acute leukaemias of ambiguous lineage in children: characterization, prognosis and therapy recommendations. Heidrun Gerr et al., British Journal of Haematology, early view pub. online 18 Jan 2010. Abstract. ALAL means AML/ALL characteristics. "Our data suggest that an intensive therapy regimen including stem cell transplantation may be favourable for bilineal or lineage switch cases, whereas patients with ETV6/RUNX1 fusion, lymphoid morphology and patients with expression of cyCD22 and cyCD79a should be treated with an ALL-directed therapy."

Histone deacetylase inhibitors induce FPGS mRNA expression and intracellular accumulation of long-chain methotrexate polyglutamates in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: implications for combination therapy. J Leclerc et al., Leukemia advance online publication 14 January 2010. Abstract. "Combination treatment with MTX plus SAHA [in ALL cell lines] significantly increased cytotoxicity and apoptosis in B- and T-ALL cell lines as compared with each drug alone." (SAHA is suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid.) "The synergism exhibited by the combination of MTX and SAHA warrants clinical testing in ALL patients."

Aberrant DNA methylation and epigenetic inactivation of Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and ephrin ligands in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Shao-Qing Kuang et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online January 8, 2010. Abstract. "These results suggest that epigenetic silencing by hypermethylation of Eph/ephrin family genes contributes to ALL pathogenesis, and that EphB4 can function as a tumor suppressor in ALL."

Prognostic relevance of dic(9;20)(p11;q13) in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated with Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM) protocols containing an intensive induction and post-induction consolidation therapy. Herbert Pichler et al., British Journal of Haematology, early view, Jan 13 2010. Abstract.

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism in Egyptian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Tantawy, Azza AG et al., Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis, January 2010, Volume 21, Issue 1, p 28–3. Abstract. MTHFR. "Methotrexate is a key drug in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment; it inhibits DNA replication by blocking the conversion of 5,10 methylene tetrahydrofolate to 5-methylene tetrahydrofolate by methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). MTHFR is central to folate metabolism and has two common functional polymorphisms (C677>T and A1298>C). The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of MTHFR polymorphisms C677>T and A1298>C in Egyptian children with ALL and the relation to the frequency of drug-induced complications and relapse rate. . . . MTHFR gene polymorphisms should be studied in large multicenter studies; and dosage modification of methotrexate in the ALL treatment protocols should be considered based on the MTHFR gene pattern."

Acquisition of genome-wide copy number alterations in monozygotic twins with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Caroline M. Bateman et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online January 8, 2010. Abstract.

2009

Early T-cell precursor leukaemia: a subtype of very high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Coustan-Smith E, et al., Lancet Oncol. 2009 Feb;10(2):147-56. Abstract. "ETP-ALL is a distinct, previously unrecognised, pathobiological entity that confers a poor prognosis with use of standard intensive chemotherapy. Its early recognition, by use of the gene expression and immunophenotypic criteria outlined here, is essential for the development of an effective clinical management strategy."

Verification of the susceptibility loci on 7p12.2, 10q21.2 and 14q11.2 in precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia of childhood. Rashmi B Prasad et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online December 30, 2009. Abstract.

Results and factors influencing outcome after fully haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant in children with very-high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia - impact of center size: an analysis on behalf of the Acute Leukemia and Pediatric Disease Working Parties of the European Blood and Marrow Transplant group. Thomas Klingebiel et al., lood First Edition Paper, prepublished online Dec 29, 2009. Abstract. "T-cell depleted haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haploHSCT) is an option to treat children with very-high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) lacking an HLA-identical donor."

The impact of high-dose methotrexate on intracellular 6-mercaptopurine disposition during interval therapy of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. T. Adam de Beaumais et al., Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, online first Dec 23, 2009. Abstract. "HDMTX does not appear to enhance 6-MP activation to 6-TGN. . . . Our data warrant additional studies elucidating the optimal MTX dose synergizing with 6-MP."

Down syndrome acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a highly heterogeneous disease in which aberrant expression of CRLF2 is associated with mutated JAK2: a report from the iBFM Study Group. Libi Hertzberg et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online November 24, 2009. Abstract.

A randomized, controlled, double-blind, pilot study of milk thistle for the treatment of hepatotoxicity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Elena J. Ladas et al., Cancer, Published Online: 14 Dec 2009. Abstract. "In children with ALL and liver toxicity, MT was associated with a trend toward significant reductions in liver toxicity. MT did not antagonize the effects of chemotherapy agents used for the treatment of ALL. Future study is needed to determine the most effective dose and duration of MT and its effect on hepatotoxicity and leukemia-free survival."

Cytogenetics of long-term survivors of ETV6-RUNX1 fusion positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Konn ZJ et al., Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2009 Dec 8. Abstract.

Allogeneic marrow transplantation in children with acute leukemia: a practice whose time has gone: twenty years later. D Pinkel. Leukemia, Dec. 2009 Volume 23 Number 12, pp. 2189–2196. Editorial. Abstract.

A multi-center phase I study of clofarabine, etoposide and cyclophosphamide in combination in pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed acute leukemia. N Hijiya et al., Leukemia, Dec. 2009 Volume 23 Number 12, pp. 2259–2264. Abstract.

Long–term results of NOPHO ALL–92 and ALL–2000 studies of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Schmiegelow K et al., Leukemia, 2009. Abstract.

Long-term follow-up of the United Kingdom medical research council protocols for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, 1980–2001. C Mitchell et al., Leukemia advance online publication 10 December 2009. Abstract.

The clinical relevance of Wilms Tumour 1 (WT1) gene mutations in acute leukaemia. Carolyn Owen et al., Hematological Oncology, Published Online: 9 Dec 2009. Abstract.

Treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Jorge H. Milone & Alicia Enrico, Leukemia and Lymphoma, Volume 50, Issue S2 December 2009, pages 9-15. Abstract.

DNA incorporation of 6-thioguanine nucleotides during maintenance therapy of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Rikke L. Hedeland et al., Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, December 03, 2009. Abstract. "DNA-6TGN may prove to be a more relevant pharmacokinetic parameter for monitoring 6MP treatment intensity than the previously used erythrocyte 6MP metabolites levels. Prospective clinical trials are needed to evaluate the usefulness of DNA-6TGN for individual dose adjustments."

Long-term results of St Jude Total Therapy Studies 11, 12, 13A, 13B, and 14 for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. C H Pui et al., Leukemia advance online publication 10 December 2009. Abstract.

A predictor of unfavourable outcome in neutropenic paediatric patients presenting with fever of unknown origin. Michaela Semeraro et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 54, Issue 2, 2010, pp. 284-290. Abstract.

The Quid Pro Quo of pediatric versus adult services for older adolescent cancer patients. Archie Bleyer, Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 54, Issue 2, 2010, pp. 238-241. Abstract.

Pharmacogenomic variations in treatment protocols for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Yung-Li Yang et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 54, Issue 2, 2010, pp. 206-211. Abstract.

Erwinia asparaginase: Coming closer to an understanding of its use in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia? Kelly W. Maloney, Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 54, Issue 2, 2010, pp. 189-190. Abstract.

Erwinia asparaginase after allergy to E. coli asparaginase in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Lynda M. Vrooman et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 54, Issue 2, 2010, pp. 199-205. Abstract.

Applicability of IG/TCR gene rearrangements as targets for minimal residual disease assessment in a population-based cohort of Swedish childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia diagnosed 2002–2006. Ingrid Thörn et al., European Journal of Haematology, Published Online: 6 Nov 2009. Abstract.

Rearrangement of CRLF2 in B-progenitor- and Down syndrome-associated acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Mullighan CG et al., Nat Genet. 2009 Nov;41(11):1243-6. Abstract. Lay article, Scientists Identify New Chromosomal Abnormality in Leukemia Associated With Down Syndrome.

Magnetic field exposure and long-term survival among children with leukaemia. D E Foliart et al., British Journal of Cancer (2006) 94, 161–164. Abstract.

Exposure to Magnetic Fields and Survival after Diagnosis of Childhood Leukemia: A German Cohort Study. Svendsen AL et al., Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 16, 1167-1171, June 1, 2007. Abstract.

Germline genomic variants associated with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Lisa R Treviño et al., Nature Genetics 41, 1001–1005, 1 September 2009. Abstract. Lay article, Inherited Risk Factors Increase Odds Of Developing Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. (ARID5B and IKZF1, ikaros)

Detection of residual B precursor lymphoblastic leukemia by uniform gating flow cytometry. Ester Mejstíková et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 54, Issue 1, 2010, pp. 62-70. Abstract.

Outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with induction failure treated by the Japan Association of Childhood Leukemia Study (JACLS) ALL F-protocol. Nobuhiro Suzuki et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 54, Issue 1, 2010, pp. 71-78. Abstract.

Adrenal function testing in pediatric cancer survivors. Briana C. Patterson et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 53, Issue 7, 2009, pp. 1302-1307. Abstract.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allogeneic HCT) for treatment of pediatric Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Michael J. Burke et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 53, Issue 7, 2009, pp. 1289-1294. Abstract.

Weight patterns in children with higher risk ALL: A report from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) for CCG 1961. Weight patterns in children with higher risk ALL: A report from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) for CCG 1961. Janice S. Withycombe et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 53, Issue 7, 2009, pp. 1249-1254. "Successful treatment of higher risk childhood ALL was associated with obesity, independent of cranial irradiation. The beginning of maintenance therapy may be the best time to intervene with nutritional and behavioral interventions, particularly for children who are obese or aged 5-9 years at diagnosis, female, Black or Hispanic, or those with metabolic toxicities during induction." Abstract.

Gene expression classifiers for relapse-free survival and minimal residual disease improve risk classification and outcome prediction in pediatric B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Huining Kang et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online October 30, 2009. Abstract.

Specific promoter methylation identifies different subgroups of MLL-rearranged infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia, influences clinical outcome, and provides therapeutic options. Dominique J.P.M. Stumpel et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online October 23, 2009. Abstract.

Comparison of Neurocognitive Functioning in Children Previously Randomly Assigned to Intrathecal Methotrexate Compared With Triple Intrathecal Therapy for the Treatment of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Nina S. Kadan-Lottick et al., JCO Early Release, published online ahead of print Nov 2 2009. Abstract.

Random serum methotrexate determinations for assessing compliance with maintenance therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Jos Carlos Jaime-Prez et al., Leukemia and Lymphoma, Volume 50, Issue 11 November 2009, pp. 1843-1847. Abstract.

Frequency of TPMT alleles in Indian patients with acute lymphatic leukemia and effect on the dose of 6-mercaptopurine. Salamun Desire et al., Medical Oncology. Medical Oncology, Published online: 15 October 2009. Abstract. "The presence of TPMT polymorphisms did not seem to completely explain the variation in 6-MP toxicity in this small group of patients. Other novel variants in TPMT or variations in the genes involved in transport and biotransformation of 6-MP need to be evaluated in the Indian population."

Outcome of Patients Treated for Relapsed or Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia Consortium Study. Richard H. Ko et al., JCO Early Release, published online ahead of print Oct 19 2009. Abstract. "Results: Complete remission (CR) were 83% ± 4% for early first marrow relapse, 93% ± 3% for late first marrow relapse, 44% ± 5% for second marrow relapse, and 27% ± 6% for third marrow relapse. Five-year DFS rates in CR2 and CR3 were 27% ± 4% and 15% ± 7% respectively."

Successful second allogeneic stem cell transplantation in second remission induced by dasatinib in a child with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Frédéric Millot et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 52 Issue 7, Pages 891-892, 2009. Abstract.

Outcome of recurrent or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia in infants with MLL gene rearrangements: A report from the Japan infant leukemia study group. Daisuke Tomizawa et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 52 Issue 7, Pages 808-813, 2009. Abstract.

Cytoprotective effects of amifostine in the treatment of childhood malignancies. Nazan Çetingül et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 52 Issue 7, Pages 829 - 833, 2009. Abstract.

Young Adults With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Have an Excellent Outcome With Chemotherapy Alone and Benefit From Intensive Postinduction Treatment: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group. James B. Nachman et al., JCO Early Release, published online ahead of print Oct 5 2009. Abstract. Results of CCG 1961.

Improved Early Event-Free Survival With Imatinib in Philadelphia Chromosome–Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Children's Oncology Group Study. Kirk R. Schultz et al., JCO Early Release, published online ahead of print Oct 5 2009. Abstract. "Imatinib plus intensive chemotherapy improved 3-year EFS in children and adolescents with Ph+ ALL, with no appreciable increase in toxicity. BMT plus imatinib offered no advantage over BMT alone."

Prognostic relevance of TLX3 (HOX11L2) expression in childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated with Berlin–Frankfurt–Münster (BFM) protocols containing early and late re-intensification elements. Andishe Attarbaschi et al., British Journal of Haematology, 11 Oct 2009. Abstract.

MEK inhibitors potentiate dexamethasone lethality in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells through the pro-apoptotic molecule BIM. A A Rambal et al., Leukemia (2009) 23, 1744–1754. Abstract. "This study provides a rational foundation for future attempts to improve the activity of GCs with clinically relevant pharmacologic MEK inhibitors in the treatment of ALL and possibly other hematologic malignancies."

Clinical potency of methotrexate, aminopterin, talotrexin and pemetrexed in childhood leukemias. Robin E. Norris and Peter C. Adamson, Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, Monday, September 28, 2009. Abstract. Traditional antifol (antifolates) methotrexate and aminopterin are compared with novel anitfols (pemetrexed and talotrexin); further study of the new antifols is warrented.

Significance of four MRD markers in MRD-based treatment strategy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sawada A et al., Leukemia Research, 2009 Dec;33(12):1710-3. Abstract. Japanese study; 32 children; MRD at week 5 directed treatment.

Risk of Relapse of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Is Predicted By Flow Cytometric Measurement of Residual Disease on Day 15 Bone Marrow. Giuseppe Basso et al., JCO Early Release, published online ahead of print Oct 5 2009. Abstract. From the AIEOP-BFM-ALL 2000 trial. "Conclusion: Measurement of FCM MRD in day 15 bone marrow was the most powerful early predictor of relapse, applicable to virtually all patients; it may complement PCR MRD–based stratification including later time points, thus allowing additional treatment tailoring."

New insights to the MLL recombinome of acute leukemias. C Meyer et al., Leukemia, July 2009 Volume 23 Number 8, pp 1490–1499. Abstract.

The impact of NOTCH1, FBW7 and PTEN mutations on prognosis and downstream signaling in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. A Larson Gedman et al., Leukemia, July 2009 Volume 23 Number 8, pp 1417–1425. Abstract.

Increased risk for CNS relapse in pre-B cell leukemia with the t(1;19)/TCF3-PBX1. S Jeha et al., Leukemia, July 2009 Volume 23 Number 8, pp 1406–1409. Abstract.

NOTCH inhibition and glucocorticoid therapy in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. P J Real and A A Ferrando, Leukemia, July 2009 Volume 23 Number 8, pp 1374–1377. Abstract.

Genome-wide profiling of genetic alterations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: recent insights and future directions. C G Mullighan1 and J R Downing, Leukemia, July 2009 Volume 23 Number 7, pp 1209–121. Abstract. "Here, we review recent data obtained from genome-wide profiling studies in ALL, and discuss potential avenues for future investigation. [including developing novel therapeutic approaches directed against rational therapeutic targets]." Note: this issue of Leukemia has a series of similar articles reviewing current knowledge in genomic technologies.

Flow cytometric chemosensitivity assay as a predictive tool of early clinical response in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Faith Galderisi et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 53, Issue 4, 2009 pp. 543-550. Abstract. An important article; the multiparameter flow cytometric chemosensitivity assay the researchers used studied the relationship between in vitro drug sensitivity of diagnostic leukemic blasts from 30 children with ALL and rapidity of response to induction therapy. If the results expand to a larger number of patients, it could mean that treatment could be tailored for each child from the results of a test very early in induction.

Concurrent intensive chemotherapy and imatinib before and after stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Final results of the CSTIBES02 trial. Josep-Maria Ribera et al., Haematologica, Published online 1 October 2009. Abstract.

Is there a role for complementary therapy in the management of leukemia? Kathleen M Wesa and Barrie R Cassileth, Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy, September 2009, Vol. 9, No. 9, Pages 1241-1249. Abstract. Not childhood leukemia specific; full text would be helpful but must be purchased.

Folate related gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to develop childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Ilan J. N. Koppen et al., British Journal of Haematology, Published Online: 22 Sep 2009. Abstract. MTHFR gene and others; "In general, it is clear that susceptibility to (childhood) ALL is partly related to constitutional differences in folate gene polymorphisms."

IKZF1 (Ikaros) Deletions in BCR-ABL1–Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Are Associated With Short Disease-Free Survival and High Rate of Cumulative Incidence of Relapse: A GIMEMA AL WP Report. Giovanni Martinelli et al., JCO Early Release, published online ahead of print Sep 21 2009. Abstract.

Impaired pneumococcal immunity in children after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Thomas Lehrnbecher et al., British Journal of Haematology, Published Online: 18 Sep 2009. Abstract. "Our data indicate that patients with ALL who are unvaccinated against pneumococci have a selective immunodeficiency with an impaired antibody protection against pneumococci for up to 9 months after completion of therapy. Therefore, effective prevention, including chemoprophylaxis and active immunization, has to be considered in this patient population."

Differential regulation of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 by dexamethasone in glucocorticoid-sensitive and -resistant childhood lymphoblastic leukemia. Shuji Sai et al., Leukemia Research, Volume 33, Issue 12, Pages 1696-1698 (December 2009). Abstract. Interesting because it measures the activity of an enzyme that is sensitive to steroids, and different patients can have slightly different versions of this enzyme. To date, the mechanism of how steroids work to kill leukemia cells is unclear.

Prednisolone exerts late mitogenic and biphasic effects on resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells: Relation to early gene expression. George I. Lambrou et al., Leukemia Research, Volume 33, Issue 12, Pages 1684-1695 (December 2009). Abstract.

Transplant: Both newly dx and relapsed ALL. A Phase I/II study of the safety and efficacy of the addition of sirolimus to tacrolimus/methotrexate graft versus host disease prophylaxis after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Michael A. Pulsiphe et al, British Journal of Haematology, early online view 9/10/09. Abstract. Sirolimus is "promising".

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia masquerading as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: diagnostic pitfall and association with survival. Ram Kumar Marwaha et al., Annals of Hematology, online first 9/3/09. Abstract. "Children with ALL-mimicking JRA may belong to a subgroup of ALL with a better prognosis."

Dexamethasone-based therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: results of the prospective Dutch Childhood Oncology Group (DCOG) protocol ALL-9 (1997—2004). Anjo J Veerman et al., The Lancet Oncology, Early Online Publication, 10 September 2009. Abstract. Comment in same issue by Pui entitled "Prophylactic cranial irradiation: going, going, gone". (Early online article.)

Transplant: Both newly dx and relapsed ALL. New Method For Safer Bone Marrow Transplants For Sick Children. Lay article. ". . . minimal-intensity conditioning (MIC) regimen using antibodies instead of high dose chemotherapy may reduce the short and long term toxicity related with stem cell transplants in children. This could allow successful transplantation even in the sickest children." Haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation with antibody-based minimal-intensity conditioning: a phase 1/2 study. Karin C Straathof et al., The Lancet, online first Sept. 2009. (Abstract, British ed.)

Additional risk factor for the development of ALL. Jacek J. Pietrzyk et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 53, Issue 3, 2009, p. 515. "Although many environmental factors might also contribute to development of ALL, our results suggest c.677C>T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene as a genetic risk factor for ALL." Abstract.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of biphenotypic acute leukemia in children. Amal S Al-Seraihy et al., Haematologica, 08/28/09. Abstract. "Conclusions: An ALL type of induction utilizing agents that have activity against lymphoid and myeloid leukemias appears to be more effective in achieving and maintaining CR whether the patients are classified according to EGIL or the new WHO criteria. HSCT may not be necessary for all patients in first CR." Also contains useful information about new nomenclature for mixed phenotype acute leukemia.

Myeloablative Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Analysis of Graft Sources and Long-Term Outcome. Michael B. Tomblyn et al., Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 27, No 22 (August 1), 2009: pp. 3634-3641. Abstract. "Allogeneic, but not autologous, HCT for ALL results in durable LFS. Importantly, HCT using UCB led to similar outcomes as either RD or well-matched URD. HCT in early remission can best exploit the potent antileukemic efficacy of allografting from UCB, RD, or URD sources." From a study of 623 consecutive ALL myeloablative HCT (1980 to 2005).

Low Relapse without Excessive Transplant-Related Mortality following Myeloablative Cord Blood Transplantation for Acute Leukemia in Complete Remission: A Matched Cohort Analysis. Gutman, Jonathan et al., Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Volume 15, Issue 9, Pages 1122-1129 (September 2009). Abstract.

Wilms' tumor gene 1 expression analysis by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction for monitoring of minimal residual disease in acute leukemia. Nowakowska-Kopera, Alicija et al., Leukemia and Lymphoma, Volume 50, Issue 8 August 2009 , pages 1326 - 1332. Abstract. "Ninety-four percent of patients with acute leukemia showed high WT1 expression at presentation. WT1 expression as a MRD marker was evaluated in 36 patients. The rise of WT1 expression preceded the hematological relapse by about 4 months." Only 18 patients were studied; authors are investigating investigate whether it could serve as a MRD marker.

An accurate and rapid flow cytometric diagnosis of BCR/ABL positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Raponi, Sara et al., Haematologica. 2009 Jul 16. PubMed abstract. The BCR/ABL fusion protein is Ph(+) ALL, the authors offer a method for rapid and accurate detection of this protein.

Clinical features of the most common fusion genes in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Lazic, J. et al. Med Oncol. 2009 Jun 2. PubMed abstract. A study of 70 pediatric patients, correlating BCR/ABL, TEL/AML1, and E2A/PBX1 types with MRD and outcome results.

Chemo-sensitivity in a panel of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines, YCUB series, derived from children. Goto, H et al. Leuk Res. 2009 Oct;33(10):1386-91. PubMed abstract. Interesting because they established cell lines both at dx and at relapse for 6 childrne, and found that cell lines "established at relapse was more resistant to 4-hydroperoxy-cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, L-asparaginase, topotecan, fludarabine, and etoposide than YCUB-5 from the same patient at diagnosis."

5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) low activity genotypes reduce the risk of relapse-related acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Kuzelicki et al., Leukemia Research, Volume 33, Issue 10, October 2009, Pages 1344-1348. Abstract.

Myeloablative Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Analysis of Graft Sources and Long-Term Outcome. Michael B. Tomblyn et al., JCO Early Release, published online ahead of print Jul 6 200. Abstract. "In a study to analyze hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for high-risk or recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using different donor sources, it was shown that allogeneic, but not autologous, HCT for ALL results in durable leukemia-free survival. Importantly, HCT using umbilical cord blood led to similar outcomes as either related or well-matched unrelated."

The novel RASSF6 and RASSF10 candidate tumour suppressor genes are frequently epigenetically inactivated in childhood leukaemias. Luke B Hesson et al., Molecular Cancer 2009, 8:42, 2009. Full text.

Antiepileptic drugs reduce efficacy of methotrexate chemotherapy by downregulation of Reduced folate carrier transport activity. S Halwachs et al., June 2009 Volume 23 Number 6, pp 1087-1097. Abstract.

Treating Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia without Cranial Irradiation. Ching-Hon Pui et al., N Engl J Med 360;26, june 25, 2009, pp. 2730-1741. From St. Judes. In a trial of 498 ALL patients, of the 71 who would have received CR according to previous trials, these patients were treated with IT instead and the results compared with historical records of 56 patients who did receive CR. The 71 patients showed significantly longer continuous complete remission. Patients at high rate for CNS relapse had more IT (ara C, triples) than other patients. Abstract.

The impact of risk stratification by early bone-marrow response in childhood lymphoblastic leukaemia: results from the United Kingdom Medical Research Council trial ALL97 and ALL97/9. Christopher Mitchell et al., British Journal of Haematology, Published Online: 22 Jun 2009. Abstract.

Genomic analysis of acute leukemia. Mullighan, C. G., International Journal of Laboratory Hematology, Volume 31, Number 4, August 2009 , pp. 384-397(14). Abstract.

Polymorphisms in multidrug resistance-associated protein gene 4 is associated with outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Marc Ansari et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online June 10, 2009. Abstract.

A dyad of lymphoblastic lysosomal cysteine proteases degrades the antileukemic drug l-asparaginase. Naina Patel et al., J. Clin. Invest. June 8, 2009. Abstract.

Clinical significance of minimal residual disease at day 15 and at the end of therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Rosemary Sutton et al., British Journal of Haematology, Published Online: 3 Jun 2009. Abstract.

Clinical features of the most common fusion genes in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J. Lazic et al., Medical Oncology, 06/05/09, Abstract.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemias with normal karyotypes are not without genomic aberrations. Anu Usvasalo et al., Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics, Volume 192, Issue 1, 1 July 2009, Pages 10-17. Abstract.

Overexpression of CD123 correlates with the hyperdiploid genotype in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Miroslav Djokic et al., Haematologica, Published online 19 May 2009. Abstract. ". Our study suggests that overexpression of CD123 is an aberrant phenotype present in a subset of precursor-B ALL with hyperdiploid genotype, and represents an additional marker of good prognosis in pediatric precursor-B ALL. Moreover, aberrant CD123 expression in ALL is a good marker for monitoring of minimal residual disease."

High frequency of PTEN, PI3K and AKT abnormalities in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Alejandro Gutierrez et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online May 20, 2009. Abstract. "Alterations of PTEN, PI3K or AKT were identified in 47.7% of 44 cases. . . . Induction chemotherapy failed to induce remission in 3 of the 4 patients whose lymphoblasts harbored PTEN deletions at the time of diagnosis, compared with none of the 12 patients with mutations of PTEN exon 7 (P = 0.007), suggesting that PTEN deletion has more adverse therapeutic consequences than mutational disruptions that preserve the phosphatase domain. These findings add significant support to the rationale for the development of therapies targeting the PTEN-PI3K-AKT pathway in T-ALL."

Heterozygosity at the TPMT gene locus, augmented by mutated MTHFR gene, predisposes to 6-MP related toxicities in childhood ALL patients. N Karas-Kuzelicki et al., Leukemia (2009) 23, 971–974. Long letter to the editor. No abstract available.

Poor Outcome for Children and Adolescents With Progressive Disease or Relapse of Lymphoblastic Lymphoma: A Report From the Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster Group. Birgit Burkhardt et al., Journal of Clinical Oncology, 05/14/09 early release. Abstract.

Allogeneic Cord Blood Transplantation in Children with Hematological Malignancies: A Long-Term Follow-Up Single-Center Study. Miguel A. Diaz et al., Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Volume 26, Issue 4 May 2009, pages 165-174. Abstract.

High hyperdiploid childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (review article). Kajsa Paulsson and Bertil Johansson, Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer, Published Online: 4 May 2009. Abstract.

Establishment and validation of a standard protocol for the detection of minimal residual disease in B lineage childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia by flow cytometry in a multi-center setting. Julie Irving et al., Haematologica 2009, published online 18 April 2009. Abstract.

Thiopurine methyltransferase activity is related to the risk of relapse of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results from the NOPHO ALL-92 study. K Schmiegelow et al., Leukemia (2009) 23, 557–564; doi:10.1038/leu.2008.316; published online 6 November 2008. Abstract.

Monitoring treatment response of childhood precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the AIEOP-BFM-ALL 2000 protocol with multiparameter flow cytometry: predictive impact of early blast reduction on the remission status after induction. R Ratei et al., Leukemia (2009) 23, 528–534; published online 20 November 2008. Abstract.

Increased risk for CNS relapse in pre-B cell leukemia with the t(1;19)/TCF3-PBX1. S Jeh et al. Leukemia advance online publication 12 March 2009. Abstract.

Genome-wide profiling of genetic alterations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: recent insights and future directions. C G Mullighan and J R Downing, Leukemia advance online publication 26 February 2009. Abstract.

Beneficial and harmful effects of anthracyclines in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Collaborative Group (CALLCG). British Journal of Haematology, Published Online: 22 Feb 2009. Abstract.

Recent Decrease in Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease in Children with Leukemia Receiving Unrelated Donor Bone Marrow Transplants. Stella M. Davies et al. Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Volume 15, Issue 3, March 2009, Pages 360-366. Abstract.

Induction death and treatment-related mortality in first remission of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a population-based analysis of the Austrian Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster study group. C Prucker et al., Leukemia advance online publication 12 February 2009. Abstract.

Prognostic significance of minimal residual disease in infants with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated within the Interfant-99 protocol. V H J Van der Velden et al., Leukemia advance online publication 12 February 2009. Abstract.

CD56 expression in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is associated with non-thymic phenotype and resistance to induction therapy but no inferior survival after risk-adapted therapy. Lars Fischer et al., Haematologica, Vol 94, Issue 2, 224-229. Abstract.

Non-classical karyotypic features in relapsed childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Lea A. Wehrli et al., Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics, Volume 189, Issue 1, February 2009, Pages 29-36. Abstract. An updated report on karyotypes [classic ones are (high hyperdiploidy, t(12;21), t(9;22), 11q23, t(1;19), <45 chromosomes].

Relationship between HLA-DP supertype and survival in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: evidence for selective loss of immunological control of residual disease? G. Malcolm Taylor et al., British Journal of Haematology, Published Online: 21 Jan 2009. Abstract. ". . . two of six HLA-DP supertypes (DP1–4, 6, 8) were associated with susceptibility (DP2) and resistance (DP1) to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)."

Genome-wide Interrogation of Germline Genetic Variation Associated With Treatment Response in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Jun J. Yang et al., JAMA Vol. 301 No. 4, January 28, 2009. Abstract. There were 102 SNPs (germline single-nucleotide polymorphisms) associated with MRD . . . In total, 63 of 102 SNPs were associated with early response, relapse, or drug disposition. Lay article on the St Jude site.

Epigenetic Regulation of MicroRNAs in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Jose Roman-Gomez et al., JCO Early Release, published online ahead of print Jan 21 2009. Abstract. Methylation of miRNAs as a prognostic factor.

A subtype of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with poor treatment outcome: a genome-wide classification study. Monique L Den Boer et al., The Lancet Oncology published online Jan. 9, 2009. Abstract. BCR-ABL1

Does chemotherapy modify the immune surveillance of hematological malignancies? A J Barrett and B N Savani, Leukemia (2009) 23, 53–58. Abstract. An interesting review article on the role of the patient's own immune system in controlling leukemia cells.

Targeting the leukemic stem cell: the Holy Grail of leukemia therapy. N Misaghian et al., Leukemia (2009) 23, 25–42; published online 18 September 2008. Abstract.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia and obesity: increased energy intake or decreased physical activity? H. Jansen et al., Supportive Care in Cancer, Volume 17, Number 1/January, 2009, pp. 103-106. Abstract.

Expression of CD133 on leukemia initiating cells in childhood ALL. Charlotte V. Cox et al., Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online January 15, 2009. Abstract.

Intracranial hypertension in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. George Vartzelis et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 52, Issue 3, 2009, Pages: 418-420. Abstract. (Also read comments to this article in subsequent volumes.)

Gene polymorphisms in childhood ALL. Nikolaos V. Karathanasis et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 52, Issue 3, 2009, Pages: 318-323. Abstract. Review article.

Additional genetic risk factor for death in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A common polymorphism of the q gene. Jacek J. Pietrzyk et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 52, Issue 3, 2009, Pages: 364-368. Abstract.

The extent of minimal residual disease reduction after the first 4-week imatinib therapy determines outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Seok Lee et al. Cancer, published online 31 Dec 2008. Abstract.

Deletion of IKZF1 and Prognosis in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Charles G. Mullighan et al. NEJM published online January 7, 2009. Abstract. Full text available free online. IKAROS.

Differential in vitro cytotoxicity does not explain increased host toxicities from chemotherapy in Down syndrome acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Mariela Valle et al. Leukemia Research, Volume 33, Issue 2, February 2009, Pages 336-339. Abstract.

Recurrent intrathecal methotrexate induced neurotoxicity in an adolescent with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Serial clinical and radiologic findings. Fulvia Brugnoletti. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:293–295. Abstract.

Management and successful desensitization in methotrexate-induced anaphylaxis. Karim Bouchireb et al. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:295–297. Abstract.

2008

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia and obesity: increased energy intake or decreased physical activity? H. Jansen et al. Supportive Care in Cancer, 2008. Free full text.

Anemia and survival in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Oliver Teuffel et al., Haematologica, Vol 93, Issue 11, 1652-1657, 2008. Abstract. ". . . the inverse relationship between severity of anemia and survival found within specific subgroups suggests that very low hemoglobin levels at diagnosis are associated with more advanced disease in these subgroups".

Epidemiology of leukaemia and lymphoma in children and young adults from the north of England, 1990–2002. Richard G. Feltbower et al., European Journal of Cancer, Article in Press 11/08. (British study.

Cytogenetics of paediatric and adolescent acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Christine J. Harrison, British Journal of Haematology. Published Online: 5 Nov 2008. Abstract.

The presence of CD56/CD16 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia correlates with the expression of cytotoxic molecules and is associated with worse response to treatment. Leandro F. F. Dalmazzo et al., British Journal of Haematology, Published Online: 11 Nov 2008. Abstract.

Gene polymorphisms in childhood ALL. Nikolaos V. Karathanasis et al. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, published online Nov. 8 2008. Abstract.

Treating children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Down syndrome: Pharmacokinetics provides insight into vincristine therapy. Clinton F. Stewart, Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 52, Issue 1, 2009, pp. 1-2. Editorial.

Vincristine pharmacokinetics in children with down syndrome. Gudmar Lönnerholm et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 52, Issue 1, 2009, pp. 123-5. Abstract.

Outcome and toxicity of chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children with down syndrome. Niketa Shah et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 52, Issue 1, 2009, pp. 14-19. Abstract.

Octreotide therapy in asparaginase-associated pancreatitis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Shu-Fen Wu et al. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 51, Issue 6, 2008, pp. 824-825. Abstract.

Risk prediction of fever in neutropenia in children with cancer: A step towards individually tailored supportive therapy? Silvia Wicki et al. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 51, Issue 6, 2008, pp. 778-783. Abstract. "The two models predicting FN and FN with bacteremia were based on five easily accessible clinical variables. Before clinical application, they need to be validated by prospective studies."

A comprehensive analysis of the CDKN2A gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia reveals genomic deletion, copy number neutral loss of heterozygosity and association with specific cytogenetic subgroups. Sarina Sulong et al. Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online October 6, 2008. Abstract. (CDKN2A is a tumor suppressor gene; results of study are complex.)

Impaired dexamethasone-related increase of anticoagulants is associated with the development of osteonecrosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Mariel L. te Winkel et al. Haematologica, Vol 93, Issue 10, 1570-1574, 2008. Abstract.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy and safety of a new recombinant asparaginase preparation in children with previously untreated acute lymphoblastic leukemia- a randomized phase II clinical trial. Rob Pieters et al. Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online September 19, 2008. Abstract.

Integration of genomic and gene expression data of childhood ALL without known aberrations identifies subgroups with specific genetic hallmarks. Centro Ricerca Tettamanti et al. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2008 Sep 19. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract.

FDA Drug Approval Summary: Nelarabine (Arranon®) for the Treatment of T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma. Martin H. Cohen, John R. Johnson, Robert Justice, Richard Pazdur. The Oncologist, Vol. 13, No. 6, 709-714, June 2008. Article.

Polymorphisms and haplotypes of the NBS1 gene in childhood acute leukaemia. Maria Mosor et al. European Journal of Cancer online 8/08. Abstract.

Gene Expression Signatures Predictive of Early Response and Outcome in High-Risk Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Children's Oncology Group Study on Behalf of the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group and the German Cooperative Study Group for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Deepa Bhojwani et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 26, No 27 (September 20), 2008: pp. 4376-4384. Abstract. "Conclusion: Genes and pathways that play a role in early blast regression may identify patients who may be at risk for inferior responses to treatment. A fully validated predictive gene expression signature was defined for high-risk ALL that provided insight into the biologic mechanisms of treatment failure."

The complex genomic profile of ETV6-RUNX1 positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia highlights a recurrent deletion of TBL1XR1. Helen Parker et al. Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer, Published Online: 2 Sep 2008. Abstract. "The ETV6-RUNX1 fusion is the molecular consequence of the t(12;21)(p13;q22) seen in 25% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). . . . We provide evidence that implicates this deletion in the inappropriate control of gene expression in these patients. The target of the interaction between TBL1XR1 and the signaling pathways described here may be exploited in cancer therapy."

Significance of the complete clearance of peripheral blasts after 7 days of prednisolone treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the Tokyo Children’s Cancer Study Group Study L99-15. Atsushi Manabe et al. Haematologica, Vol 93, Issue 8, 1155-1160, 2008. Abstract. "Conclusions: Children with Day8NoBlasts constituted one third of all the cases with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with an excellent outcome, and should be candidates for curative management with less intensive treatment."

Clinical importance of minimal residual disease testing in the therapy of childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ye QD et al. 2008 Jun;10(3):333-6. (Journal not given in PubMed.) Abstract. (Article in Chinese, but abstract is in English.)

Status of minimal residual disease testing in childhood haematological malignancies. Dario Campana. British Journal of Haematology, Published Online: 15 Aug 2008. Abstract. A review article authored by one of the pioneers of MRD testing.

Mutation of Genes Affecting the RAS Pathway Is Common in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Marian Case et al. Cancer Research 68, 6803-6809, August 15, 2008. Abstract. "Inhibitors of the pathway, which are currently undergoing clinical trial, may be a novel therapeutic option for cALL, particularly at relapse."

CD34 expression is associated with poor survival in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Martine van Grotel et al (Netherlands). Pediatric Blood & Cancer, pub. online 5 Aug 2008. Abstract.

Host factors and consequence of chemotherapy in pediatric cancer patients. L'Aurelle A. Johnson, PhD, Julie A. Ross, PhD. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:320-326. Abstract. A review article: "One of the challenges in this population is determining the most efficacious therapeutic regimens for these individuals. Factors such as drug metabolism, genetics, and concomitant disease affect drug efficacy and may be important in determining therapeutic outcomes in these patients."

A PAI-1 (SERPINE1) polymorphism predicts osteonecrosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. Deborah French et al. Blood, 1 May 2008, Vol. 111, No. 9, pp. 4496-4499. Abstract.

Minimal Residual Disease Values Discriminate Between Low and High Relapse Risk in Children With B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and an Intrachromosomal Amplification of Chromosome 21: The Austrian and German Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (ALL-BFM) Trials. Andishe Attarbaschi et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 26, No 18 (June 20), 2008: pp. 3046-3050. Abstract.

Childhood leukaemia: experiences of children and attitudes of parents on dental care. Çubukcu Ç.E. & Gune A.M. (2007) European Journal of Cancer Care17, 285-289. Abstract.

Ten-year survival of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from the Children's Oncology Group. Michael E. Trigg et al. Leukemia and Lymphoma, Volume 49, Issue 6 June 2008, pages 1142-1154. Abstract. For children enrolled on CCG trials from 1983-1989, the 10-year overall survival rate was 73%.

Clinical utility of array comparative genomic hybridization for detection of chromosomal abnormalities in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Karen R. Rabin et al. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:171-177. Abstract. Comment on this article in the same journal, p. 153-4, by Douglas K. Graham and Stephen P. Hunger, "BAC to the future? comparative genomic hybridization and genotyping pediatric leukemia cytogenetic abnormalities". Briefly, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) or aCGH is a new procedure that complements FISH. "Thus, technology remains a moving target. Just when we think we understand how to best characterize tumors, new technologies come along that challenge us to rethink our assumptions. Over the next decade, tools such as aCGH, SNP chips, and gene expression profiles will be incorporated into the diagnosis and management of children with ALL, and other forms of cancer. For our patients, the ancient Chinese proverb may you live in exciting times is not a curse, but rather provides great hope."

Eligibility for allogeneic transplantation in very high risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the impact of the waiting time. Adriana Balduzzi et al. Haematologica, Vol 93, Issue 6, 925-929, 2008. Abstract.

DNA variants in the dihydrofolate reductase gene and outcome in childhood ALL. Stéphanie Dulucq et al. Blood, 1 April 2008, Vol. 111, No. 7, pp. 3692-3700. Abstract.

Integration of conventional cytogenetics (G-banding), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (i-FISH) for the detection of genomic rearrangements in acute leukemia. Peter McGrattan et al. J Clin Pathol. Published Online First: 12 May 2008. Abstract.

Treating dexamethasone-induced mood disorders in children with leukemia. Divya-Devi Joshi. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, Volume 51 Issue 1, Page 147, 2008. No abstract available.

Prospective Analysis of TEL Gene Rearrangements in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Children's Oncology Group Study. Jeffrey E. Rubnitz et al. (St Judes). Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 26, No 13 (May 1), 2008: pp. 2186-2191. Abstract.

Risk-adjusted therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia can decrease treatment burden and improve survival: treatment results of 2169 unselected pediatric and adolescent patients enrolled in the trial ALL-BFM 95. Anja Möricke et al. (Germany) Blood, 1 May 2008, Vol. 111, No. 9, pp. 4477-4489. Abstract.

Treatment of childhood T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma according to the strategy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, without radiotherapy: Long term results of the EORTC CLG 58881 trial. Anne Uyttebroeck et al. European Journal of Cancer, Volume 44, Issue 6, April 2008, Pages 840-846. Abstract.

Minimal residual disease-directed risk stratification using real-time quantitative PCR analysis of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene rearrangements in the international multicenter trial AIEOP-BFM ALL 2000 for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. T Flohr et al. Leukemia (2008) 22, 771–782. Abstract.

Asparaginase May Influence Dexamethasone Pharmacokinetics in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Lei Yang, John C. Panetta, Xiangjun Cai, Wenjian Yang, Deqing Pei, Cheng Cheng, Nancy Kornegay, Ching-Hon Pui, Mary V. Relling. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 26, No 12 (April 20), 2008: pp. 1932-1939. Abstract.

Clinical significance of minimal residual disease in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its relationship to other prognostic factors: A Children's Oncology Group study. Michael J Borowitz et al. Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online April 3, 2008. Abstract. This article summarizes the MRD results of the COG/POG 9900 series of trials.

DNA variants in the dihydrofolate reductase gene and outcome in childhood ALL. Stéphanie Duluc et al., Blood, 1 April 2008, Vol. 111, No. 7, pp. 3692-3700. Abstract.

Bone marrow fibrosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia correlates to biological factors, treatment response and outcome. U Noren-Nystrom, G Roos, A Bergh, J Botling, G Lonnerholm, A Porwit, M Heyman and E Forestier. Leukemia (2008) 22, 504–510. Full text. Reticulin fiber density (RFD) is measured at diagnosis and day 29 and correlated with treatment outcome in pre-B ALL. "To our knowledge, these findings are novel and may indicate BM fibrosis as a new valuable prognostic marker in childhood ALL. Expanded use of BM biopsy both at diagnosis and during follow-up is suggested." (Swedish study.)

Early postinduction intensification therapy improves survival for children and adolescents with high–risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. (CCG 1961) Nita L. Seibel et al, Blood, 1 March 2008, Vol. 111, No. 5, pp. 2548-2555. Abstract.

Parent distress in childhood cancer: A comparative evaluation of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression and anxiety. Annika Lindahl Norberg et al. Acta Oncologica, Volume 47, Issue 2 2008 , pages 267 - 274. Abstract.

Initiating and Cancer-Propagating Cells in TEL-AML1-Associated Childhood Leukemia. Dengli Hong et al, Science 18 January 2008: Vol. 319. no. 5861, pp. 336 - 339. Abstract. This is the journal article behind the lay articles on "leukemia stem cells". (More information on the clinical trials page.)

Treating dexamethasone-induced mood disorders in children with leukemia. Divya-Devi Joshi. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, early view, Jan. 2008. Abstract.

Neurochemical markers of brain damage in cerebrospinal fluid during induction treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. Gustaf Osterlundh et al. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 50, Issue 4, p. 793-798. Abstract.

High incidence of avascular necrosis in adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a UKALL XII analysis. B Patel, S M Richards, J M Rowe, A H Goldstone and A K Fielding. Leukemia (2008) 22, 308–312. Abstract.

Height deficit during and many years after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children: A review. Marcos Borato Viana, Maria Ivone Oliveira Pinto Vilela. Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 50, Issue S2, 2008, p. 509-516. Abstract.

Bringing evidence to complementary and alternative medicine in children with cancer: Focus on nutrition-related therapies. Kara M. Kelly. Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 50, Issue S2, 2008, pp. 490-493. Abstract.

Complementary and alternative (CAM) dietary therapies for cancer
Sheila. Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 50, Issue S2, 2008, pp. 494-497. Abstract. (Note: There are a few more nutrition articles in this same issue.)

Childhood cancer and vitamins: Prevention and treatment. Virginia A. Stallings. Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 50, Issue S2, 2008, pp. 442-444. Abstract.

2007

Clinical and radiological characteristics of methotrexate-induced acute encephalopathy in pediatric patients with cancer. H. Inaba et al., Ann Oncol. 2008 Jan;19(1):178-84. Abstract.

New therapeutic strategies for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Ching-Hon Pui and Sima Jeha. Nature, Vol. 6 Feb 2007, p. 149. (A review article.)

Absolute lymphocyte count is a novel prognostic indicator in ALL and AML; Implications for risk stratification and future studies. Guillermo De Angulo et al. Cancer, Volume 112, Issue 2 , Pages 407 - 415. Abstract.

Topoisomerase IIß–Mediated DNA Double-Strand Breaks: Implications in Doxorubicin Cardiotoxicity and Prevention by Dexrazoxane. Lyu YL, Kerrigan JE, Lin CP, Azarova AM, Tsai YC, Ban Y, Liu LF. Cancer Res. 2007 Sep 15;67(18):8839-46. PubMed Abstract.

Long-Term Results of the AIEOP-ALL-95 Trial for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Insight on the Prognostic Value of DNA Index in the Framework of Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster–Based Chemotherapy. Maurizio Aricò et. al. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 26, No 2 (January 10), 2008: pp. 283-289. Abstract.

Triple intrathecal therapy without cranial irradiation for central nervous system preventive therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Wei-Ying Lin et al. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 50, Issue 3, 2008, pp. 523 - 527. Abstract.

CAG regimen enables relapsed or refractory T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia patients to achieve complete remission: A report of six cases. Sheng-Li Xue et al. American Journal of Hematology, Volume 83, Issue 2 , Pages 167 - 170, 2007. Abstract.

CNS complications in children receiving chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Retrospective analysis and clinical study of survivors. Katrin Schmidt, Ansgar Stephan Schulz, Klaus-Michael Debatin, Wilhelm Friedrich, Carl Friedrich Classen. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 50, Issue 2, Pages 331 - 336. Abstract.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in infancy. Lewis B. Silverman. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 49, Issue S7, 2007, 1070-1073. Abstract.

Immunizations for children with cancer. Upton D. Allen. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 49, Issue S7, 2007, 1102-1108. Abstract.

Comparable long-term survival after bone marrow versus peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation from matched unrelated donors in children with hematologic malignancies. Meisel R et al. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2007 Nov;13(11):1338-45. PubMed abstract.

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant in Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. A K Fielding and A H Goldston. Bone Marrow Transplantation advance online publication 29 October 2007. A review article. Abstract.

High interleukin-15 expression characterizes childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with involvement of the CNS. Cario G, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Oct 20;25(30):4813-20. PubMed Abstract.

Screening for leukemia- and clone-specific markers at birth in children with T-cell precursor ALL suggests a predominantly postnatal origin. Fischer, S., et al. Blood. 2007 Oct 15;110(8):3036-8. PubMed Abstract.

Graft-versus-leukemia effect in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: significantly lower relapse rate in unrelated transplantations. Gassas, A., et al. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2007 Sep 17. Abstract.

Outcome of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in third complete remission: a vital role for graft-versus-host-disease/ graft-versus-leukaemia effect in survival. Br J Haematol. 2007 Sep 25. Gassas, A., et al. Abstract.

Clofarabine Induced Durable Complete Remission in Heavily Pretreated Adolescents With Relapsed and Refractory Leukemia. Steinherz, Peter G. J Ped Hem/Onc, Volume 29(9) 2007, pg. 656-658. Abstract.

Allergic Reactions to E. coli L-Asparaginase Do Not Affect Outcome in Childhood B-precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Children's Oncology Group Study. Wacker, Pierre et al., J Ped Hem/Onc, Volume 29(9) 2007, pg. 627-632. Abstract.

Integrating molecular information into treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Martin Stanulla et al., Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases, Volume 39, Issue 2, September-October 2007, Pages 160-163. Abstract. Full text online.

Diagnosis and genetic subtypes of leukemia combining gene expression and flow cytometry. Giuseppe Basso et al., Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases, Volume 39, Issue 2, September-October 2007, Pages 164-168. Abstract. Full text online.

Children with hyperdiploid but not triple trisomy (+4,+10,+17) acute lymphoblastic leukemia have an increased incidence of extramedullary relapse on current therapies: A single institution experience. Anjali Sharathkuma et al. American Journal of Hematology. Published Online: 15 Aug 2007. Abstract.

Survivin and its prognostic significance in pediatric acute B cell precursor lymphoblastic leukemia. Troeger, A., et al. Haematologica, 2007;92:1043-1050. Abstract. "Overexpression of survivin in BCP-ALL identifies patients with a high risk of early relapse. Upon confirmation in a prospective analysis, survivin expression may, in the future, serve to further refine treatment stratification with intensification of therapy in those patients prone to relapse."

A set of genes that regulate cell proliferation predicts treatment outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Flotho, C., et al. Blood, 15 August 2007, Vol. 110, No. 4, pp. 1271-1277. Abstract. Interesting article on gene expression profiling.

Quantitative analysis of minimal residual disease predicts relapse in children with B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia in DFCI ALL Consortium Protocol 95-01. Jianbiao Zhou et al., Blood, 1 September 2007, Vol. 110, No. 5, pp. 1607-1611. Abstract.

ZAP-70 is highly expressed in most cases of childhood pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. F Wandroo et al., International Journal of Laboratory Hematology (OnlineEarly Articles), August 2007. Abstract.

Methotrexate concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid and serum, and the risk of central nervous system relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Jonsson P, Hoglund P, Wiebe T, Schroder H, Seidel H, Skarby T. Anticancer Drugs. 2007 Sep;18(8):941-8. Abstract.

Unrelated cord blood transplant in children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a long-term follow-up. Iori AP, Arcese W, Milano F, Calabrese E, Torelli GF, Barberi W, Mascolo MG, De Felice L, Screnci M, Lucarelli B, Malandruccolo L, Perrone MP, Salvatori S, Laurenti L, Iannella E, Ricci R, Moleti ML, Foà R. Haematologica. 2007 Aug;92(8):1051-8. Epub 2007 Jul 20. Abstract.

Outcome of treatment in children with hypodiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia. James B. Nachman, Nyla A. Heerema, Harland Sather, Bruce Camitta, Erik Forestier, Christine J. Harrison, Nicole Dastugue, Martin Schrappe, Ching-Hon Pui, Giuseppe Basso, Lewis B. Silverman, and Gritta E. Janka-Schaub. Blood 2007;110 1112-1115. Abstract.

Antimetabolite therapy for lesser-risk B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia of childhood: a report from Children's Oncology Group Study P9201. Allen R. Chauvenet, Paul L. Martin, Meenakshi Devidas, Stephen B. Linda, Beverly A. Bell, Joanne Kurtzberg, Jeanette Pullen, Mark J. Pettenati, Andrew J. Carroll, Jonathan J. Shuster, and Bruce Camitta Blood 2007;110 1105-1111. Abstract. Full text of comment: "Lesser" ALL: treat less or study less? by James Feusner

Activity of vincristine, L-ASP, and dexamethasone against acute lymphoblastic leukemia is enhanced by the BH3-mimetic ABT-737 in vitro and in vivo. Kang MH, Kang YH, Szymanska B, Wilczynska-Kalak U, Sheard MA, Harned T, Lock RB, Reynolds CP. Blood. 2007. PubMed Abstract.

Overt testicular disease (OTD) at diagnosis is not associated with a poor prognosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Results of the EORTC CLG study 58881. Nicolas Sirvent et al., Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 49, Issue 3 , Pages 344 - 348, 2005. Abstract.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) versus intensive chemotherapy in infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Z. E. Dreyer, P. Dinndorf, H. Sather, J. M. Hilden, M. Devidas, N. A. Heerema, F. O. Smith, W. Carroll, G. Reaman, and B. M. Camitta ASCO Meeting Abstracts. 2007; 25(18_suppl): p. 9514. Abstract.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): 25-year experience at the University of Minnesota. M. B. Tomblyn, T. E. DeFor, M. MacMillan, P. D. Higgins, K. E. Dusenbery, and D. J. Weisdorf. ASCO Meeting Abstracts. 2007; 25(18_suppl): p. 7001. Abstract.

Augmented Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster (ABFM) regimen for children with standard-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (SR-ALL) and slow early response (SER). Y. H. Matloub, A. Angiolillo, B. Bostrom, L. Stork, S. P. Hunger, J. Nachman, H. Sather, M. La, W. L. Carroll, and P. S. Gaynon. ASCO Meeting Abstracts. 2007; 25(18_suppl): p. 9511. Abstract.

Outcomes of transplantation of unrelated donor umbilical cord blood and bone marrow in children with acute leukaemia: a comparison study. Eapen M, Rubinstein P, Zhang MJ, Stevens C, Kurtzberg J, Scaradavou A, Loberiza FR, Champlin RE, Klein JP, Horowitz MM, Wagner JE. Lancet 2007 Jun 9;369(9577):1947-54. PubMed Abstract.

Five-Year Leukemia-Free Survival Possible After Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Children With Acute Leukemia. Lay article on MedScape.

Unrelated Cord Blood Transplants an Option for Children With Leukemia. Lay article on MedScape discusses the June 2007 article by Dr. John E. Wagner of the Blood Bone Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Exposure to Magnetic Fields and Survival after Diagnosis of Childhood Leukemia: A German Cohort Study. Svendsen, A.L. et al., Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 16, 1167-1171, June 1, 2007. Abstract.

Exposure to Magnetic Fields and Survival after Diagnosis of Childhood Leukemia: A German Cohort Study. Anne Louise Svendsen et al. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 16, 1167-1171, June 1, 2007. Abstract.

Children's behaviour following diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a qualitative longitudinal study. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2007 Apr;12(2):281-93. PubMed Abstract.

Genomewide identification of prednisolone-responsive genes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Tissing, W.J.E., et al. Blood. 2007 May 1;109(9):3929-35. PubMed Abstract.

Building a new normality: mothers experiences of caring for a child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Earle, E. A., et al. Child Care Health Dev. 2007 Mar;33(2):155-60. PubMed Abstract.

Prevention of high-dose-methotrexate neurotoxicity by adequate folinic acid rescue is possible even after central nervous system irradiation. Ian J. Cohen, et al. Med Hypotheses. 2007;68(5):1147-53. PubMed Abstract.

Age-related differences in leukemia biology and prognosis: the paradigm of MLL-AF4-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. C-H Pui and D Campana. Leukemia, April 2007 Volume 21 Number 4. PubMed abstract.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia with t(4;11) in children 1 year and older: The 'big sister' of the infant disease? G Mann et al. April 2007 Volume 21 Number 4. PubMed abstract.

Optimization of PCR-based minimal residual disease diagnostics for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a multi-center setting. V H J van der Velden et al. April 2007 Volume 21 Number 4. PubMed abstract.

Quantitative assessment of WT1 expression in diagnosis of childhood acute leukemia. A. Spanaki, et al. Leuk Res. 2007 Apr;31(4):570-2. PubMed abstract.

New approaches to invasive fungal infections in acute leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Wingard JR. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol. 2007;20(1):99-107. PubMed abstract.

Mesenchymal cells regulate the response of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells to asparaginase. J Clin Invest. 2007 Mar 22. Iwamoto S, Mihara K, Downing JR, Pui CH, Campana D. PubMed abstract.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation in First Remission for Children with Ultra-high-risk Features of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Children's Oncology Group Study Report. Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2007 Feb;13(2):218-27. Prakash Satwani, et al. PubMed Abstract.

Brief Report: Effect of Intravenous Methotrexate Dose and Infusion Rate on Neuropsychological Function One Year after Diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Marissa E. Carey, Marilyn J. Hockenberry, Ida M. Moore, John J. Hutter, Kevin R. Krull, Alice Pasvogel, and Kris L. Kaemingk. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2007; 32(2): p. 189-193. Abstract.

Adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: emerging from the shadow
of paediatric and adult treatment protocols. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2006 Nov;47(6):748-56. Ramanujachar R et al. PubMed abstract.

Consolidation treatment for ALL-which is best? Lancet Oncol. 2007 Feb;8(2):104 Paolino A. (Treatment of very high risk leukemia with or without BMT.)

Why and how to quantify minimal residual disease in acute lymphoblastic leukemia? Leukemia. 2007 Apr;21(4):622-6; Szczepanski T. Abstract.

Favorable outcome for adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated on dana-farber cancer institute acute lymphoblastic leukemia consortium protocols. J Clin Oncol 1 Mar 2007 25(7): p. 813. E Barry, DJ Deangelo, D Neuberg, K Stevenson, ML Loh, BL Asselin, RD Barr, LA Clavell, CA Hurwitz, A Moghrabi, Y Samson, M Schorin, HJ Cohen, SE Sallan, and LB Silverman. Abstract.

Characteristics of patients with TEL-AML1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia with single or multiple fusions. Suleimman A. Al-Sweedan et al. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, Volume 48, Issue 5 , Pages 510 - 514. Abstract. Some good information on the prognosis of tel-aml ALL.

Protection against chemotherapy induced mucositis by TGF-beta 2 in childhood cancer patients: Results from a randomized cross-over study. Barbara A.E. de Koning et al. Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 48, Issue 5, 2007. Pages: 532-539. Abstract. (The drug was well-tolerated but did not show a clear effect against mucositis.)

The clinical value of follow-up examinations in childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Pediatric Blood & Cancer Volume 48, Issue 4, 2007, p. 468-472. Abstract.

Genome complexity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia is revealed by array-based comparative genomic hybridization. JC Strefford, et al. Oncogene. 2007 Jan 22. PubMed abstract.

New therapeutic strategies for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Pui CH, Jeha S. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2007 Feb;6(2):149-65. PubMed abstract.

Risk- and response-based classification of childhood B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a combined analysis of prognostic markers from the Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) and Children's Cancer Group (CCG). Kirk R. Schultz, et al. Blood. 2007 Feb 1;109(3):926-35. PubMed abstract.

Results of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium Protocol 95-01 for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Albert Moghrabi, et al. Blood. 2007 Feb 1;109(3):896-904. PubMed abstract. "We conclude that (1) dexrazoxane does not interfere with the antileukemic effect of doxorubicin, (2) intensive intrathecal chemotherapy is as effective as cranial radiation in preventing CNS relapse in standard-risk patients, and (3) once-weekly Erwinia is less toxic than E coli asparaginase, but also less efficacious."

Age and high-dose methotrexate are associated to clinical acute encephalopathy in FRALLE 93 trial for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. M N Dufourg et al. Leukemia (2007) 21, 238–247. Abstract. "The objective of the study was to assess acute neurotoxicity associated with triple intrathecal therapy (TIT) high-dose methotrexate (HD MTX) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)."

2006

Prognostic Significance of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in Childhood B-Precursor ALL and Its Relation to Other Risk Factors. A Childrens Oncology Group (COG) Study. Abstract. A good comparison of risk factors, EFS, and MRD data in a comparison of the results of 9904, 9905, 9906.

Prospective Analysis of TEL and MLL Gene Rearrangements in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Children's Oncology Group Study. Jeffrey Rubnitz, David Wichlan, Meenakshi Devidas, Jonathan Shuster, Joanne Kurtzberg, Beverly Bell, Stephen Hunger, Allen Chauvenet, Ching-Hon Pui, Bruce Camitta, and Jeanette Pullen. Blood (ASH Annual Meeting Abstracts). 2006; 108(11): p. 218. Abstract.

Central nervous system disease in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: prophylaxis and treatment. CH Pui. Hematology, Jan 2006; 2006: 14-146. Full text. (An excellent review article.)

Adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Outcome on UK national paediatric (ALL97) and adult (UKALLXII/E2993) trials. Ramya Ramanujachar, Sue Richards, Ian Hann, Anthony Goldstone, Christopher Mitchell, Ajay Vora, Jacob Rowe, David Webb. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 48, Issue 3 , Pages 254 - 261, Published Online: 18 Jan 2006. Abstract.

The cryptic chromosomal deletion del(11)(p12p13) as a new activation mechanism of LMO2 in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pieter Van Vlierberghe, Martine van Grotel, H. Berna Beverloo, Charles Lee, Tryggvi Helgason, Jessica Buijs-Gladdines, Monique Passier, Elisabeth R. van Wering, Anjo J. P. Veerman, Willem A. Kamps, Jules P. P. Meijerink, and Rob Pieters. Blood, 15 November 2006, Vol. 108, No. 10, pp. 3520-3529. Abstract.

Resistance of infant leukemia with MLL rearrangement to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand: a possible mechanism for poor sensitivity to antitumor immunity. T Inukai, X Zhang, M Goto, K Hirose, K Uno, K Akahane, A Nemoto, K Goi, H Sato, K Takahashi, H Honna, K Kagami, K Nakamoto, H Yagita, K Okumura, T Koyama-Okazaki, S Nakazawa and K Sugita. Leukemia (2006) 20, 2119–2129. Abstract.

High leucovorin doses during high-dose methotrexate treatment may reduce the cure rate in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. T V Ch Skarby, H Anderson, J Heldrup, J A Kanerva, H Seidel and K Schmiegelow. Leukemia (2006) 20, 1955–1962. Abstract.

Thioguanine Too Toxic for Maintenance Treatment of Childhood Leukemia: Toxicity and efficacy of 6-thioguanine versus 6-mercaptopurine in childhood lymphoblastic leukaemia: a randomised trial. Lancet. 2006 Oct 14;368(9544):1339-48. Vora A, Mitchell CD, Lennard L, Eden TO, Kinsey SE, Lilleyman J, Richards SM. PubMed abstract. And: Thioguanine versus mercaptopurine in childhood ALL. Stanulla M, Schunemann HJ. Lancet. 2006 Oct 14;368(9544):1304-6. PubMed abstract. Lay article.

Defining new prognostic markers in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Examining MRD within the first few weeks will identify a particularly good risk group of patients who are likely to be cured with less aggressive therapy. Lay article online November 2006, Hem/Onc website, Elizabeth Raetz and William Carroll.

Altered glucose metabolism in childhood pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. J M Boag, A H Beesley, M J Firth, J R Freitas, J Ford, K Hoffmann, A J Cummings, N H de Klerk and U R Kees. Leukemia (2006) 20, 1731–1737. Abstract. Interesting because altered glucose metabolism might provide a means for targeted therapy.

Risk and response-based classification of childhood B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a combined analysis of prognostic markers from the Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) and Children's Cancer Group (CCG). Kirk R. Shultz et al. Blood. published 26 September 2006. Abstract. (Good review of how COG came to 4 risk groups, EFS stats.)

Analysis of Genetic Alterations and Clonal Proliferation in Children Treated for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Heather E. Kendall, Pamela M. Vacek, Jami L. Rivers, Sederick C. Rice, Terri L. Messier and Barry A. Finette. "These data indicate that unique genetic alterations and extensive clonal proliferation are occurring in children following treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia that may influence long-term risks for multifactorial diseases, including secondary cancers." Cancer Res 2006; 66(17): 8455-61. Abstract.

Comparison of Long-Term Neurocognitive Outcomes in Young Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated With Cranial Radiation or High-Dose or Very High-Dose Intravenous Methotrexate. Brenda J. Spiegler, Kimberly Kennedy, Ronnen Maze, Mark L. Greenberg, Sheila Weitzman, Johann K. Hitzler, Paul C. Nathan. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 24, No 24 (August 20), 2006: pp. 3858-3864. Abstract.

History of the treatment of childhood ALL: a paradigm for cancer cure. Simone JV. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol. 2006;19(2):353-9. PubMed Asbstract. Excerpt from Abstract: "The history of the treatment of childhood leukemia from 1950 to the present is reviewed here. Particular emphasis is placed on the 'Total Therapy' studies conducted at St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee."

Expression of Late Cell Cycle Genes and an Increased Proliferative Capacity Characterize Very Early Relapse of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Renate Kirschner-Schwabe, Claudio Lottaz, Jörn Tödling, Peter Rhein, Leonid Karawajew, Cornelia Eckert, Arend von Stackelberg, Ute Ungethüm, Dennis Kostka, Andreas E. Kulozik, Wolf-Dieter Ludwig, Günter Henze, Rainer Spang, Christian Hagemeier and Karl Seeger. Clinical Cancer Research Vol. 12, 4553-4561, August 1, 2006. Abstract.

The Incidence Peaks of the Childhood Acute Leukemias Reflect Specific Cytogenetic Aberrations. Forestier, Erik MD; Schmiegelow, Kjeld MD. J Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Volume 28(8), August 2006, pp 486-495. Abstract.

Intrathecal triple therapy decreases central nervous system relapse but fails to improve event-free survival when compared with intrathecal methotrexate: results of the Children's Cancer Group (CCG) 1952 study for standard-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia, reported by the Children's Oncology Group. Yousif Matloub, Susan Lindemulder, Paul S. Gaynon, et al. Blood, 15 August 2006, Vol. 108, No. 4, pp. 1165-1173. Abstract.

Genes contributing to minimal residual disease in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: prognostic significance of CASP8AP2. Christian Flotho, Elaine Coustan-Smith, Deqing Pei, Shotaro Iwamoto, Guangchun Song, Cheng Cheng, Ching-Hon Pui, James R. Downing, and Dario Campana. Blood, 1 August 2006, Vol. 108, No. 3, pp. 1050-1057. Abstract.

Pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with aberrations of both MLL loci. Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 2006 Jul 1;168(1):77-9. Quigley DI, Wolff DJ. PubMed Abstract. "Except in cases of T-cell ALL, MLL rearrangement is typically associated with a poor prognosis. We report a case of T-cell ALL with a t(11;19)(q23;p13.3) and deletion of the other chromosome 11 homolog at band q23. ...This case is unique in that deletions of 11q23 reported in ALL generally do not involve MLL."

Impact of two independent bone marrow samples on minimal residual disease monitoring in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Vincent H. J. van der Velden, Patricia G. Hoogeveen, Rob Pieters and Jacques J. M. van Dongen. Br J Haematol. 2006 May;133(4):382-8. Abstract. "It is unclear whether MRD is homogeneously distributed within the bone marrow (BM) and whether this affects MRD diagnostics...MRD levels were comparable in 112 paired samples (79%), whereas two samples (both taken at day 15) had MRD levels that differed more than threefold."

Analysis of prognostic factors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in infants: report on CCG 1953 from the Children's Oncology Group. Joanne M. Hilden, Patricia A. Dinndorf et al. Blood. 2006; 108(2): p. 441-451. Abstract. "Five-year EFS for MLL-rearranged cases was 33.6% and for MLL-nonrearranged cases was 60.3%. The difference in EFS between the 3 major MLL rearrangements did not reach statistical significance."

Infants with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a germline MLL gene are highly curable with use of chemotherapy alone: results from the Japan Infant Leukemia Study Group. Jun Nagayama, Daisuke Tomizawa, et al. Blood, 15 June 2006, Vol. 107, No. 12, pp. 4663-4665. Abstract.

Pharmacogenomics of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Current Opinion in Hematology. 13(4):260-265, July 2006. Kager, Leo; Evans, William E. Abstract.

A simplified flow cytometric assay identifies children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who have a superior clinical outcome. Elaine Coustan-Smith, Raul C. Ribeiro, Patricia Stow, Yinmei Zhou, Ching-Hon Pui, Gaston K. Rivera, Francisco Pedrosa, and Dario Campana. Blood, 1 July 2006, Vol. 108, No. 1, pp. 97-102. Abstract.

Dasatinib in Imatinib-Resistant Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Leukemias. Moshe Talpaz, M.D., Neil P. Shah, M.D., Ph.D., Hagop Kantarjian, M.D., Nicholas Donato, Ph.D., John Nicoll, B.A., Ron Paquette, M.D., Jorge Cortes, M.D., Susan O'Brien, M.D., Claude Nicaise, M.D., Eric Bleickardt, M.D., M. Anne Blackwood-Chirchir, M.D., Vishwanath Iyer, M.S., Tai-Tsang Chen, M.Phil., Fei Huang, Ph.D., Arthur P. Decillis, M.D., and Charles L. Sawyers, M.D. Volume 354:2531-2541 June 15, 2006 Number 24. Abstract.

Nilotinib in Imatinib-Resistant CML and Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive ALL. Hagop Kantarjian, M.D., Francis Giles, M.D., Lydia Wunderle, M.D., Kapil Bhalla, M.D., Susan O'Brien, M.D., Barbara Wassmann, M.D., Chiaki Tanaka, M.D., Paul Manley, Ph.D., Patricia Rae, B.Sc., William Mietlowski, Ph.D., Kathy Bochinski, M.B.A., Andreas Hochhaus, M.D., James D. Griffin, M.D., Dieter Hoelzer, M.D., Maher Albitar, M.D., Ph.D., Margaret Dugan, M.D., Jorge Cortes, M.D., Leila Alland, M.D., and Oliver G. Ottmann, M.D. NEJM Volume 354:2542-2551 June 15, 2006 Number 24. Abstract.

ASCO 2006 meeting abstracts, pediatric leukemias. Notable:

Effect of prophylactic cranial irradiation dose on CNS relapse, late cognitive decline and learning disabilities in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Difference in outcome of adolescents (14-17 years) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) enrolled in the Italian pediatric (AIEOP) and adult (GIMEMA) multicenter protocols.

Stem cell/BMTs: ASBMT Evidence-Based Reviews for Pediatric and Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Theresa Hahn, Roy Jones, Donna Wall. In Blood and Marrow Transplantation Reviews, Vol. 16, Issue 1, 2006.

Autologous stem cell transplant in ALL: who should we be transplanting in first remission? A R Mato and S M Luge. Review. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2006) 37, 989–995. Abstract.

The eighth international childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia workshop ('Ponte di Legno meeting') report: Vienna, Austria, April 27–28, 2005. Leukemia (2006) 20, 9–17. Many abstracts. Notable:

asparaginase
secondary cancers after ALL therapy
hypodiploidy
RUNX1 gene
pH+ ALL
Translocation t(1;19)(q23;p13)
genetic subgroups in T-cell ALL
Down Syndrome ALL

Resistance to glucocorticoids in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: impact of relationship between ex vivo sensitivity and in vivo concentration on risk factor analysis. Styczynski J, Koltan A, Wysocki M. Neoplasma. 2006;53(2):168-73. PubMed abstract.

Gene Expression Profiling: Biological pathways associated with relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A children's oncology group study. Blood. 2006 Mar 28. Bhojwani D et al. PubMed abstract.

TPMT: Thiopurine S-methyltransferase pharmacogenetics: insights, challenges and future directions. L Wang and R Weinshilboum. Oncogene (2006) 25, 1629–1638. Abstract.

Pharmacogenomics or Acute Leukemia. Meyling H Cheok, Sanne Lugthart, and William E. Evans. Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Vol. 46: 317-353 (Volume publication date February 2006). Abstract.

MRD measurement: A simplified flow cytometric assay identifies children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who have a superior clinical outcome. Elaine Coustan-Smith, Raul C Ribeiro, Patricia Stow, Yinmei Zhou, Ching-Hon Pui, Gaston K Rivera, Francisco Pedrosa, and Dario Campana. Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online March 14, 2006. Abstract.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a model for the pharmacogenomics of cancer therapy. Cheok MH, Evans WE. Nat Rev Cancer. 2006 Feb;6(2):117-29. PubMed Abstract.

The clinical value of follow-up examinations in childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Huang L, Lequin M, Pieters R, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2006 Mar. Abstract.

Incidence of additional genetic changes in the TEL and AML1 genes in DCOG and COALL-treated t(12;21)-positive pediatric ALL, and their relation with drug sensitivity and clinical outcome. Stams WA, Beverloo HB, den Boer ML, de Menezes RX, Stigter RL, van Drunen E, Ramakers-van-Woerden NL, Loonen AH, van Wering ER, Janka-Schaub GE, Pieters R. Leukemia. 2006 Mar;20(3):410-6. PubMed Abstract.

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the age of genomics. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Volume 46, Issue 5 , Pages 570 - 578. William L. Carroll, Deepa Bhojwani, Dong-Joon Min, PhD 1, Naomi Moskowitz, Elizabeth A. Raetz. A review article.

Adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Emerging from the shadow of paediatric and adult treatment protocols. Ramanujachar R, Richards S, Hann I, Webb D. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2006 Feb 8; [Epub ahead of print] PubMed abstract.

High-dose methotrexate and/or leucovorin rescue for the treatment of children with lymphoblastic malignancies: do we really know why, when and how? Sterba J, Valik D, Bajciova V, Kadlecova V, Gregorova V, Mendelova D. Neoplasma. 2005;52(6):456-63. PubMed abstract. Full text.

Prospective analysis of TEL/AML1 positive patients treated on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Consortium Protocol 95-01. Mignon L Loh, Meredith A Goldwasser, Lewis B Silverman, Wing-Man Poon, Shashaank Vattikuti, Angelo Cardoso, Donna S Neuberg, Kevin M Shannon, Stephen E Sallan, and D G Gilliland. Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online February 21, 2006. Abstract.

Alternative medicine remedies might stimulate viability of leukemic cells. Styczynski J, Wysocki M. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2006 Jan;46(1):8-10. PubMed abstract.

Infants with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a germline MLL gene are highly curable with use of chemotherapy alone: results from the Japan Infant Leukemia Study Group. Jun Nagayama, Daisuke Tomizawa, Katsuyoshi Koh, Yoshihisa Nagatoshi, Noriko Hotta, Tomoko Kishimoto, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Tomoko Kuno, Kanji Sugita, Takashi Sato, Kohji Kato, Atsushi Ogawa, Tatsutoshi Nakahata, Shuki Mizutani, Keizo Horibe, and Eiichi Ishii. Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online February 14, 2006. Abstract.

Chronic liver disease related to 6-thioguanine in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Ruth De Bruynea, Bernard Portmannb, Marianne Samyna, Sanjay Bansala, Alex Kniselyb, Giorgina Mieli-Vergania and Anil Dhawan. Journal of Hepatology Volume 44, Issue 2 , February 2006, Pages 407-410. Article.

Comparable long-term survival after unrelated and HLA-matched sibling donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantations for acute leukemia in children younger than 18 months. Eapen M, Rubinstein P, Zhang MJ, Camitta BM, Stevens C, Cairo MS, Davies SM, Doyle JJ, Kurtzberg J, Pulsipher MA, Ortega JJ, Scaradavou A, Horowitz MM, Wagner JE. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Jan 1;24(1):145-51. "Typically unrelated donor HCT are reserved for infants who relapse," Dr. Eapen said. "We recommend unrelated donor HCT in first complete remission, because we have shown that results are similar to that after HLA-matched sibling donor HCT in first complete remission." PubMed abstract.

The expression of 70 apoptosis genes in relation to lineage, genetic subtype, cellular drug resistance, and outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Holleman A, den Boer ML, de Menezes RX, Cheok MH, Cheng C, Kazemier KM, Janka-Schaub GE, Gobel U, Graubner UB, Evans WE, Pieters R. Blood. 2006 Jan 15;107(2):769-76. Epub 2005 Sep 27. Abstract. Online lay version.

Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. NEJM Volume 354:166-178 January 12, 2006 Number 2, Ching-Hon Pui, M.D., and William E. Evans, Pharm.D. No abstract (a review article).

Comparable results in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after related and unrelated stem cell transplantation. J Dahlke et al. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2006) 37, 155-163. Abstract.

Thiopurine methyltransferase in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Relling et al. Blood. 2006; 107: 843-844. Abstract.

Pharmacogenomics of Acute Leukemia. Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology Vol. 46: 317-353, 2006, Meyling H Cheok, Sanne Lugthart, and William E. Evans. Abstract.

Understanding Medication Adherence in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Review. Michelle T. Pritchard et al., J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2006 Dec;28(12):816-23. Abstract.

2005

High concordance from independent studies by the Children’s Cancer Group (CCG) and Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) associating favorable prognosis with combined trisomies 4, 10, and 17 in children with NCI Standard-Risk B-precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: a Children’s Oncology Group (COG) initiative. MJ Sutcliffe et al., Leukemia (2005) 19, 734–740. Abstract.

Comparison of Diagnostic and Relapse Flow Cytometry Phenotypes in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Implications for Residual Disease Detection: A Report from the Children’s Oncology Group. Michael J Borowitz et al., Cytometry Part B (Clinical Cytometry) 68B:18–24 (2005). Abstract.

Towards targeted therapy for infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Ronald W. Stam, Monique L. den Boer and Rob Pieters. British Journal of Haematology, Volume 0 Issue 0. Abstract.

Immunogenotype Changes Prevail in Relapses of Young Children with TEL-AML1-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Derive Mainly from Clonal Selection. E. Renate Panzer-Grümayer, Giovanni Cazzaniga, Vincent H.J. van der Velden, Laura del Giudice, Martina Peham, Georg Mann, Conny Eckert, Andre Schrauder, Giuseppe Germano, Jochen Harbott, Giuseppe Basso, Andrea Biondi, Jacques J.M. van Dongen, Helmut Gadner and Oskar A. Haas. Clinical Cancer Research Vol. 11, 7720-7727, November 1, 2005. Abstract.

Comparable Long-Term Survival After Unrelated and HLA-Matched Sibling Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations for Acute Leukemia in Children Younger Than 18 Months. Mary Eapen, Pablo Rubinstein, Mei-Jie Zhang, Bruce M. Camitta, Cladd Stevens, Mitchell S. Cairo, Stella M. Davies, John J. Doyle, Joanne Kurtzberg, Michael A. Pulsipher, Juan J. Ortega, Andromachi Scaradavou, Mary M. Horowitz, John E. Wagner. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 24, No 1 (January 1), 2006: pp. 145-151, 2006. Abstract.

Are experimental treatments for cancer in children superior to established treatments? Observational study of randomised controlled trials by the Children's Oncology Group. Ambuj Kumar, Heloisa Soares, Robert Wells, Mike Clarke, Iztok Hozo, Archie Bleyer, Gregory Reaman, Iain Chalmers, Benjamin Djulbegovic. BMJ 2005;331:1295 (3 December). Abstract.

The Role of Cytotoxic Therapy with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in the Therapy of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children: An Evidence-Based Review. Theresa Hahn, Donna Wall, Bruce Camitta, Stella Davies, Hildy Dillon,5 Paul Gaynon, Richard A. Larson, Susan Parsons, Jerome Seidenfeld, Daniel Weisdorf, Philip L. McCarthy, Jr. Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation 11:823-861 (2005). When BMT is useful in the treatment of ALL/relapsed ALL.

Long-Term Outcome in Children With Relapsed ALL by Risk-Stratified Salvage Therapy: Results of Trial Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Relapse Study of the Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster Group 87. Hagen Graf Einsiedel, Arend von Stackelberg, Reinhard Hartmann, Rüdiger Fengler, Martin Schrappe, Gritta Janka-Schaub, Georg Mann, Karel Hählen, Ulrich Göbel, Thomas Klingebiel, Wolf-Dieter Ludwig, Günter Henze. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 23, No 31 (November 1), 2005: pp. 7942-7950. Abstract.

Review article: Advances in the pathological diagnosis and biology of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Xin Han MD and Carlos E. Bueso-Ramo Annals of Diagnostic Pathology. Volume 9, Issue 4 , August 2005, Pages 239-257. Pub med abstract.

Therapy of low-risk subsets of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: When do we say enough? Stephen P. Hunger, Naomi J. Winick, Harland N. Sather, William L. Carroll: Pediatric Blood & Cancer VL: 45 NO: 7 PG: 876-880 2005. This is a good review of the different strategies for ALL treatment. Abstract.

The Seventh International Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Workshop Report: Palermo, Italy, January 29-30, 2005. M Aricó, A Baruchel, Y Bertrand, A Biondi, V Conter, T Eden, H Gadner, P Gaynon, K Horibe, S P Hunger, G Janka-Schaub, G Masera, J Nachman, R Pieters, M Schrappe, K Schmiegelow, M G Valsecchi and C-H Pui. Leukemia (2005) 19, 1145-1152. Abstract.

Targeting FLT3 in primary MLL-gene–rearranged infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ronald W. Stam et. al. Blood, 1 October 2005, Vol. 106, No. 7, pp. 2484-2490. Abstract.

Treatment reduction in highly selected standard-risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The AIEOP ALL-9501 study. M Arico, V Conter, MG Valsecchi, C Rizzari, MF Boccalatte, E Barisone, C Messina, G De Rossi, L Lo Nigro, A Pession, F Locatelli, C Micalizzi, and G Basso Haematologica, September 1, 2005; 90(9): 1186-91. Abstract.

No Advantage of Dexamethasone Over Prednisolone for the Outcome of Standard- and Intermediate-Risk Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the Tokyo Children's Cancer Study Group L95-14 Protocol. Shunji Igarashi, Atsushi Manabe, Akira Ohara, Masaaki Kumagai, Tomohiro Saito, Yuri Okimoto, Takehiko Kamijo, Keiichi Isoyama, Michiko Kajiwara, Manabu Sotomatsu, Ken-ichi Sugita, Kanji Sugita, Miho Maeda, Hiromasa Yabe, Akitoshi Kinoshita, Takashi Kaneko, Yasuhide Hayashi, Kouichiro Ikuta, Ryohji Hanada, Masahiro Tsuchida. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 23, No 27 (September 20), 2005: pp. 6489-6498. Abstract.

Clinical characteristics, biologic features and outcome for young adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Nachman J. Br J Haematol. 2005 Jul;130(2):166-73. PubMed Abstract.

Molecular Genetics of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Scott A. Armstrong and A. Thomas Look, J Clinical Oncology, Vol. 23, No. 26, Sept 10, 2005, 6306-6315. (I have a copy of this article.)

Results of a phase 1-2 study of clofarabine in combination with cytarabine (ara-C) in relapsed and refractory acute leukemias. Stefan Faderl, Varsha Gandhi, Susan O'Brien, Peter Bonate, Jorge Cortes, Elihu Estey, Miloslav Beran, William Wierda, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Alessandra Ferrajoli, Zeev Estrov, Francis J. Giles, Min Du, Monica Kwari, Michael Keating, William Plunkett, and Hagop Kantarjian. Blood, 1 February 2005, Vol. 105, No. 3, pp. 940-947. Abstract.

Treatment reduction in highly selected standard-risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The AIEOP ALL-9501 study. Arico M, Conter V, Valsecchi MG, Rizzari C, Pinta Boccalatte MF, Barisone E, Messina C, De Rossi G, Lo Nigro L, Pession A, Locatelli F, Micalizzi C, Basso G. Haematologica. 2005 Sep;90(9):1186-91. Italian study results. PubMed abstract.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of children with down syndrome and acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a children's cancer group study. James A Whitlock, Harland N Sather, Paul Gaynon, Leslie L Robison, Robert J Wells, Michael Trigg, Nyla A Heerema, and Smita Bhatia. lood First Edition Paper, prepublished online August 18, 2005; DOI 10.1182/blood-2003-10-3446. Abstract. (In Utero Origin of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Risk Factors of Leukemogenesis - exposure to perinatal pesticides and low folate intake.)

Chemotherapy versus allogeneic transplantation for very-high-risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in first complete remission: comparison by genetic randomisation in an international prospective study. Balduzzi A et. al., Lancet. 2005 Aug 20-26;366(9486):635-42. Abstract.

2004

Effects of Physical Therapy Intervention for Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Victoria G. Marchese, PhD, PT, Lisa A. Chiarello, PhD, PT, PCS, and Beverly J. Lange, MD. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2004;42:127–133. PubMed Abstract.

FDA Approves Clofarabine for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. MedLine version. Dec. 29, 2004.

Antioxidant Levels Tied to Treatment Toxicities in ALL. CancerPage version. Antioxidant status decreases in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during the first six months of chemotherapy treatment. Kennedy DD, Ladas EJ, Rheingold SR, Blumberg J, Kelly KM. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2004 Dec 27. PubMed abstract.

On Cure4Kids site (www.cure4kids.org, need to register) 12/2004

Progress in the Treatment of Childhood Leukaemias - Joseph Simone, MD
Childhood Leukaemia: Backtracking its Origins - Mel Greaves, PhD, FRCPath, FRS, FMedSci
Late Effects of Therapy in Childhood Cancer - Daniel Green, MD
Acute Leukaemia in Developing Countries - Bharat Agarwal, M.D, D.C.H, (BOM). D.N.B, (MNAMS)
Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia in children: complications of therapy - Anjo Veerman, MD
Relapsed ALL - Nobuko Hijiya, MD and Dario Campana, MD PhD
Diagnosis of Childhood Leukemia in the 21st Century - Jesse J. Jenkins, III, MD

Researchers Add More Pieces to the Puzzle of Finding Cure for Common Childhood Cancer - Several studies presented during the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) explore these various questions and continue to move science closer to finding a cure for this devastating childhood disease. "ALL is the most common childhood cancer, representing 23 percent of cancer diagnoses among children"; said Richard Larson, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director of the Hematologic Malignancies Clinical Research Program University of Chicago. "Clinical trials exploring ways to better treat these children are of the utmost importance. Each study brings us one step closer to finding a cure for this devastating childhood illness." Several studies are covered in this online article.

Improved outcome for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of Total Therapy Study XIIIB at St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Pui CH et al., Blood. 2004 Nov 1;104(9):2690-6. Epub 2004 Jul 13. NEJM abstract. PubMed abstract. CancerPage version: "Intensified Chemotherapy Reduces Need For Cranial Irradiation In ALL."

The HMG-I oncogene causes highly penetrant, aggressive lymphoid malignancy in transgenic mice and is overexpressed in human leukemia. Xu Y, Sumter TF, Bhattacharya R, Tesfaye A, Fuchs EJ, Wood LJ, Huso DL, Resar LM. Cancer Res. 2004 May 15;64(10):3371-5. "Using genetically engineered mice, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center have identified a gene that functions as a cancer-causing gene (or oncogene) and may play a key role in the development of leukemia and other cancers in children and adults." PubMed Abstract.

Higher mortality after allogeneic peripheral-blood transplantation compared with bone marrow in children and adolescents: the Histocompatibility and Alternate Stem Cell Source Working Committee of the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry. Eapen M, Horowitz MM, Klein JP, Champlin RE, Loberiza FR Jr, Ringden O, Wagner JE. J Clin Oncol. 2004 Dec 15;22(24):4872-80. Epub 2004 Nov 01. PubMed abstract. CancerPage version: "Stem Cell Transplant Outcomes Worse In Pediatric Leukemia Patients".

Study Finds Rationale for Inclusion of P13K/AKT Inhibitors in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Therapy. Including P13K/AKT inhibitors in the treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) might enhance the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy and improve its effectiveness, abrogating the possible effect of high glucose, researchers stated. "The researchers hypothesized that high serine/threonine AKT (a major downstream effector of P13K) activity in leukemia blasts in the presence of hyperglycemia aids the survival and chemoresistance of leukemia cells by stimulation of glycolysis."

Lack of benefit of early detection of relapse after completion of therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Jeffrey E. Rubnitz, MD, PhD , Nobuko Hijiya, MD, Yinmei Zhou, MS, Michaell L. Hancock, MS, Gaston K. Rivera, MD, Ching-Hon Pui, MD. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, early view, 10/2004.

Gene mutation discovery may lead to new treatment for leukemia: Clinical trial planned to test drug which offers promise as Gleevec-like cancer therapy. (T-cell ALL/NOTCH1 gene) Press release from Dana-Farber, 10/7/04. Jon C. Aster et al. - look for in Oct. 8, 2004 Science.

Gene-Expression Patterns in Drug-Resistant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells and Response to Treatment, Amy Holleman, B.Sc., Meyling H. Cheok, Ph.D., Monique L. den Boer, Ph.D., Wenjian Yang, Ph.D., Anjo J.P. Veerman, M.D., Ph.D., Karin M. Kazemier, Deqing Pei, M.Sc., Cheng Cheng, Ph.D., Ching-Hon Pui, M.D., Mary V. Relling, Pharm.D., Gritta E. Janka-Schaub, M.D., Ph.D., Rob Pieters, M.D., Ph.D., and William E. Evans, Pharm.D. NEJM Volume 351:533-542 August 5, 2004 Number 6 Abstract

Editorial on the above article: Childhood Leukemia — New Advances and Challenges Naomi J. Winick, M.D., William L. Carroll, M.D., and Stephen P. Hunger, M.D. NEJM Volume 351:601-603 August 5, 2004 Number 6 Abstract

Loss of Smad-beta in Acute T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia Lawrence A. Wolfraim, Ph.D., Tania M. Fernandez, Ph.D., Mizuko Mamura, M.D., Ph.D., Walter L. Fuller, B.S., Rajesh Kumar, Ph.D., Diane E. Cole, B.S., Stacey Byfield, Ph.D., Angelina Felici, Ph.D., Kathleen C. Flanders, Ph.D., Thomas M. Walz, M.D., Anita B. Roberts, Ph.D., Peter D. Aplan, M.D., Frank M. Balis, M.D., and John J. Letterio, M.D. NEJM Volume 351:552-559 August 5, 2004 Number 6 Abstract

Perspective on the above article: TGF- Signaling, Tumor Suppression, and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia James R. Downing, M.D. Volume 351:528-530 August 5, 2004 Number 6 Abstract

Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity in Children. Leontine C.M. Kremer, M.D., Ph.D., and Huib N. Caron, M.D., Ph.D. N Engl J Med 351;2 July 8, 2004.

The Effect of Dexrazoxane on Myocardial Injury in Doxorubicin-Treated Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Steven E. Lipshultz, M.D., Nader Rifai, Ph.D., Virginia M. Dalton, M.S., P.N.P., Donna E. Levy, M.S., Lewis B. Silverman, M.D., Stuart R. Lipsitz, Sc.D., Steven D. Colan, M.D., Barbara L. Asselin, M.D., Ronald D. Barr, M.D., Luis A. Clavell, M.D., Craig A. Hurwitz, M.D., Albert Moghrabi, M.D., Yvan Samson, M.D., Marshall A. Schorin, M.D., Richard D. Gelber, Ph.D., and Stephen E. Sallan, M.D. N Engl J Med 351;2 July 8, 2004.

Low antioxidant vitamin intakes are associated with increases in adverse effects of chemotherapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Deborah D Kennedy, Katherine L Tucker, Elena D Ladas, Susan R Rheingold, Jeffrey Blumberg, and Kara M Kelly. Am J Clin Nutr 2004 79: 1029-1036. Abstract on the journal's web site.

Clofarabine shows antileukemic activity in pediatric setting. May 2004 Hem/Onc News, the article begins "Heavily pretreated children with relapsed or refractory leukemia responded favorably to treatment with the deoxyadenosine analog clofarabine (Clofarex, ILEX Oncology), according to phase-1 trial results." Also see: Clofarabine, a novel nucleoside analog, is active in pediatric patients with advanced leukemia. Jeha S, Gandhi V, Chan KW, McDonald L, Ramirez I, Madden R, Rytting M, Brandt M, Keating M, Plunkett W, Kantarjian H. Department of Hematology-Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N Lauderdale St, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. Blood. 2004 Feb 1;103(3):784-9. PubMed Abstract.

Defining the appropriate dosage of folinic acid after high-dose methotrexate for childhood acute lymphatic leukemia that will prevent neurotoxicity without rescuing malignant cells in the central nervous system. Cohen IJ. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2004 Mar;26(3):156-63. PubMed Abstract.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Ching-Hon Pui, M.D., Mary V. Relling, Pharm.D., and James R. Downing, M.D. N Engl J Med 350;15. April 8, 2004. A review article on the mechanisms of disease. (I have a full-text pdf of this article.)

CNS-Directed Therapy in Young Children With T-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: High-Dose Methotrexate Versus Cranial Irradiation. Paul C. Nathan, MD, Ronnen Maze, Bren da S piegler, PhD, Mark L. Greenberg, MB , ChB , Sh eila Weitzm an, MB , and Johann K. Hitzler, MD. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2004;42:24 – 29. (I have a full-text pdf of this article.)

2003

Genetics and Anti-Leukemia Therapy: The TPMT Story. Article in the Fall 2003 CCCF (Candlelighters) quarterly journal (download the file on the Candlelighters site).

Intensification of Mercaptopurine/Methotrexate Maintenance Chemotherapy May Increase the Risk of Relapse for Some Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Kjeld Schmiegelow, Olle Björk, Anders Glomstein, Göran Gustafsson, Niels Keiding, Jon Kristinsson, Anne Mäkipernaa, Susanne Rosthøj, Carol Szumlanski, Tine M Sørensen, Richard Weinshilboum. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 21, Issue 7 (April), 2003: 1332-1339. Abstract. (Includes charts of risk of relapse by year out from treatment.)

DNA Arrays in Clinical Oncology: Promises and Challenges. François Bertucci, Patrice Viens, Rebecca Tagett, Catherine Nguyen, Rémi Houlgatte and Daniel Birnbaum. Laboratory Investigation 83:305-316 (2003). Abstract.

Gene Expression Profiling Predicts Outcomes in Pediatric ALL, Charlene Laino, Medscape Abstract, 12/03, ASH Conference coverage. (I have full text pdf of this article.) (More: Gene expression profiling, OPAL 1. HemOnc Today.)

Why do some childhood ALLs relapse? Blood, 1 May 2003, Vol. 101, No. 9, pp. 3343-3343, Stephen P. Hunger. Full text online.

CNS-directed therapy in young children with T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia: High-dose methotrexate versus cranial irradiation; Paul C. Nathan, MD, Ronnen Maze, Brenda Spiegler, PhD, Mark L. Greenberg, MB, ChB, Sheila Weitzman, MB, Johann K. Hitzler, MD. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, Vol. 42 Issue 1, Oct. 30, 2003. Online abstract (full text is also available).

Classification of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia by gene expression profiling. Ross ME, Zhou X, Song G, Shurtleff SA, Girtman K, Williams WK, Liu HC, Mahfouz R, Raimondi SC, Lenny N, Patel A, Downing JR. Blood. 2003 Oct 15;102(8):2951-9. Epub 2003 May 01. PubMed abstract. (I have a full-text pdf of this article.)

2002

Preponderance of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T homozygosity among leukemia patients intolerant to methotrexate. P. Chiusolo et al., Ann Oncol (2002) 13 (12): 1915-1918. Full text. MTHFR.

Classification, subtype discovery, and prediction of outcome in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia by gene expression profiling. Yeoh EJ, Ross ME, Shurtleff SA, Williams WK, Patel D, Mahfouz R, Behm FG, Raimondi SC, Relling MV, Patel A, Cheng C, Campana D, Wilkins D, Zhou X, Li J, Liu H, Pui CH, Evans WE, Naeve C, Wong L, Downing JR. Cancer Cell 2002 Mar;1(2):133-43. PubMed abstract.

More on Gene Expression Profiling on the St. Judes site, under "research data" ALL1, 2, 3.

Gene Expression Profiling and the Treatment of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Bloodline -- PubMed abstract of the article published March 2002 in Cancer Cell.

a tutorial on gene expression profiling

2001

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. Current Opinion in Oncology. 12(1):3-12, January 2000. Pui, Ching-Hon MD. Abstract.

Improved outcome for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of Dana-Farber Consortium Protocol 91-01. Silverman LB, Gelber RD, Dalton VK, Asselin BL, Barr RD, Clavell LA, Hurwitz CA, Moghrabi A, Samson Y, Schorin MA, Arkin S, Declerck L, Cohen HJ, Sallan (Dana-Farber) 1: Blood 2001 Mar 1;97(5):1211-8. MedLine Abstract. Full Text article available when you go to the MedLine page (plus I have a copy of it).

2000

Review articles: The Dec 2000 issue of Leukemia has the longterm results from 12 study groups. Historically these are important because they form the basis of our current trials. There are several articles and a noteworthy editor's note.

Hypersensitivity or development of antibodies to asparaginase does not impact treatment outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Woo MH, Hak LJ, Storm MC, Sandlund JT, Ribeiro RC, Rivera GK, Rubnitz JE, Harrison PL, Wang B, Evans WE, Pui, CH, Relling MV. J Clin Oncol 2000 Apr;18(7):1525-32. PubMed Abstract.

Recent advances in management of acute leukaemia. Chessells JM. Arch Dis Child 2000 Jun;82(6):438-42. PubMed abstract.

Bone marrow transplantation versus chemotherapy in the treatment of very high-risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission: results from medical research council UKALL X and XI. Wheeler KA, Richards SM, Bailey CC, Gibson B, Hann IM, Hill FG, Chessells JM. Blood 2000 Oct 1;96(7):2412-8. PubMed abstract.

Molecular diagnosis in pediatric acute leukemias. Bartolo C, Viswanatha DS. Clin Lab Med 2000 Mar;20(1):139-82, x. PubMed abstract. **

Treatment of children with early pre-B and pre-B acute lymphocytic leukemia with antimetabolite-based intensification regimens: a Pediatric Oncology Group Study. Harris MB, Shuster JJ, Pullen J, Borowitz MJ, Carroll AJ, Behm FG, Camitta B, Land VJ. Leukemia 2000 Sep;14(9):1570-6. PubMed abstract.

Intensification with intermediate-dose intravenous methotrexate is effective therapy for children with lower-risk B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A Pediatric Oncology Group study. Mahoney DH Jr, Shuster JJ, Nitschke R, Lauer S, Steuber CP, Camitta B. J Clin Oncol 2000 Mar;18(6):1285-94. PubMed abstract.

Adverse effect of anticonvulsants on efficacy of chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Mary V Relling, Ching-Hon Pui, John T Sandlund, Gaston K Rivera, Michael L Hancock, James M Boyett, Erin G Schuetz, William E Evans. Lancet 2000; 356: 285 - 290. Can't find on PubMed. I can get to the article via the University. (I have a pdf of this article.)

New definition of remission in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pui CH, Campana D. Leukemia 2000 May;14(5):783-5. PubMed abstract.**

The Role of Prognostic Features in the Treatment of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. ALISON M. FRIEDMANN, HOWARD J. WEINSTEIN. The Oncologist 2000;5:321-328. (I have a pdf of this article.) PubMed abstract.

Trisomy 5 as a sole cytogenetic abnormality in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sandoval C, Mayer SP, Ozkaynak MF, Tugal O, Jayabose S. Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 2000 Apr 1;118(1):69-71. PubMed abstract.

1999

Genetic abnormalities and drug resistance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pui CH, Evans WE. Adv Exp Med Biol 1999;457:383-9. * PubMed Abstract

Prognostic importance of 6-mercaptopurine dose intensity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Relling MV, Hancock ML, Boyett JM, Pui CH, Evans WE. Blood 1999 May 1;93(9):2817-23. PubMed Abstract. (I have the pdf file from a free download.)

Phase I targeted systemic exposure study of paclitaxel in children with refractory acute leukemias. Woo MH, Relling MV, Sonnichsen DS, Rivera GK, Pratt CB, Pui CH, Evans WE, Pappo AS. Clin Cancer Res 1999 Mar;5(3):543-9. PubMed Abstract.

Expression of aberrantly spliced oncogenic ikaros isoforms in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sun L, Goodman PA, Wood CM, Crotty ML, Sensel M, Sather H, Navara C, Nachman J, Steinherz PG, Gaynon PS, Seibel N, Vassilev A, Juran BD, Reaman GH, Uckun FM. J Clin Oncol 1999 Dec;17(12):3753-66. PubMed abstract. I have a hard copy of this article.

Pilot study of noninvasive detection of venous occlusions from central venous access devices in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Kaste SC, Gronemeyer SA, Hoffer FA, Mandrell BN, Wilimas JA. Pediatr Radiol 1999 Aug;29(8):570-4. PubMed abstract.

Hyperdiploid Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With 51 to 65 Chromosomes: A Distinct Biological Entity With a Marked Propensity to Undergo Apoptosis. By Chikako Ito, Masa-aki Kumagai, Atsushi Manabe, Elaine Coustan-Smith, Susana C. Raimondi, Frederick G. Behm, K. Gopal Murti, Jeffrey E. Rubnitz, Ching-Hon Pui, and Dario Campana. Blood,Vol 93, No 1 (January 1), 1999: pp 315-320. (I have a pdf of this article.) PubMed abstract. Full text article.

Long-term Survival And Late Deaths After Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation. Gerard Socie, M.d., Ph.d., Judith Veum Stone, M.s., John R. Wingard, M.d., Daniel Weisdorf, M.d., P. Jean Henslee-downey, M.d., Christopher Bredeson, M.d., Jean-yves Cahn, M.d., Jakob R. Passweg, M.d., Philip A. Rowlings, M.d., Harry C. Schouten, M.d., Ph.d., Hans-jochem Kolb, M.d., And John P. Klein, Ph.d., For The Late Effects Working Committee Of The International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry. NEJM Volume 341 Number 1 July 1 1999. (I have a pdf of this article.) PubMed abstract.

Prenatal origin of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children. J L Wiemels, G Cazzaniga, M Daniotti, O B Eden, G M Addison, G Masera, V Saha, A Biondi, M F Greaves. THE LANCET • Vol 354 • October 30, 1999. (I have a pdf of this article.) PubMed abstract.

Intensive treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia according to ALL-BFM-86 without cranial radiotherapy: results of Dutch Childhood Leukemia Study Group Protocol ALL-7 (1988-1991). Kamps WA, Bokkerink JP, Hahlen K, Hermans J, Riehm H, Gadner H, Schrappe M, Slater R, van den Berg-de Ruiter E, Smets LA, de Vaan GA, Weening RS, van Weerden JF, van Wering ER, den der Does-van den Berg A. 1: Blood 1999 Aug 15;94(4):1226-36. PubMed abstract.

Protracted and Variable Latency of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia After TEL-AML1 Gene Fusion In Utero. Joseph L. Wiemels, Anthony M. Ford, Elisabeth R. Van Wering, Aleida Postma, and Mel Greaves. Blood, Vol. 94 No. 3 (August 1), 1999: pp. 1057-1062. Full Text available online.

1998

Pharmacodynamic monitoring of cancer chemotherapy: childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a model. Yates CR, Pui CH, Evans WE. Ther Drug Monit 1998 Oct;20(5):453-8. PubMed Abstract.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pui CH, Evans WE. N Engl J Med 1998 Aug 27;339(9):605-15. (No PubMed Abstract available.) (I have this article.)

Conventional compared with individualized chemotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Evans WE, Relling MV, Rodman JH, Crom WR, Boyett JM, Pui CH. N Engl J Med 1998 Feb 19;338(8):499-505. PubMed Abstract. Abstract.

Improved survival with early intensification: combined results from the Medical Research Council childhood ALL randomised trials, UKALL X and UKALL XI. Medical Research Council Working Party on Childhood Leukaemia. Richards S, Burrett J, Hann I, Chessells J, Hill F, Bailey C. Leukemia 1998 Jul;12(7):1031-6. PubMed abstract.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral methotrexate and mercaptopurine in children with lower risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a joint children's cancer group and pediatric oncology branch study. Balis FM, Holcenberg JS, Poplack DG, Ge J, Sather HN, Murphy RF, Ames MM, Waskerwitz MJ, Tubergen DG, Zimm S, Gilchrist GS, Bleyer WA. Blood 1998 Nov 15;92(10):3569-77. PubMed abstract. Full Text. I have a pdf of this article.

1997

Fifty years of studies of the biology and therapy of childhood leukemia. Kersey JH. Blood 1997 Dec 1;90(11):4243-51. PubMed Abstract not available. Have PDF and hard copy of this article.

Early response to therapy and outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a review. Gaynon PS, Desai AA, Bostrom BC, Hutchinson RJ, Lange BJ, Nachman JB, Reaman GH, Sather HN, Steinherz PG, Trigg ME, Tubergen DG, Uckun FM. Cancer 1997 Nov 1;80(9):1717-26. PubMed abstract.

Role of cranial radiotherapy for childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with high WBC count and good response to prednisone. Conter, V. et al., J Clin Oncol. 1997 Aug;15(8):2786-91. PubMed Abstract. "These data suggest that CRT may not be necessary in PGR T-ALL patients with a WBC count less than 100,000/microL; on the contrary, in patients with a high count, extended T.I.T. may be inferior to CRT and I.T. MTX".

1996

Comparative cytotoxicity of dexamethasone and prednisolone in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ito C, Evans WE, McNinch L, Coustan-Smith E, Mahmoud H, Pui CH, Campana D. J Clin Oncol 1996 Aug;14(8):2370-6. PubMed Abstract.

Cytoreduction and prognosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia--the importance of early marrow response: report from the Childrens Cancer Group. Steinherz PG, Gaynon PS, Breneman JC, Cherlow JM, Grossman NJ, Kersey JH, Johnstone HS, Sather HN, Trigg ME, Chappell R, Hammond D, Bleyer WA. J Clin Oncol 1996 Feb;14(2):389-98. PubMed abstract.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia: a comprehensive review with emphasis on biology and therapy. Cortes JE, Kantarjian H, Freireich EJ. Cancer Treat Res 1996;84:291-323. PubMed abstract not available.

Uniform approach to risk classification and treatment assignment for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Smith M, Arthur D, Camitta B, Carroll AJ, Crist W, Gaynon P, Gelber R, Heerema N, Korn EL, Link M, Murphy S, Pui CH, Pullen J, Reamon G, Sallan SE, Sather H, Shuster J, Simon R, Trigg M, Tubergen D, Uckun F, Ungerleider R. J Clin Oncol 1996 Jan;14(1):18-24. PubMed abstract.

Duration and intensity of maintenance chemotherapy in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: overview of 42 trials involving 12,000 randomised children. Childhood ALL Collaborative Group. Childhood AlL Secretariat, CTSU, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK. Lancet 1996 Jun 29;347(9018):1783-8. PubMed abstract.

Duration and intensity of maintenance chemotherapy in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: overview of 42 trials involving 12 000 randomised children. Childhood ALL Collaborative Group. Childhood AIL Secretariat, CTSU, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK. Lancet 1996 Jun 29;347(9018):1783-8. PubMed abstract.

1993

Improved outcome with delayed intensification for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and intermediate presenting features: a Childrens Cancer Group phase III trial. Tubergen DG, Gilchrist GS, O'Brien RT, Coccia PF, Sather HN, Waskerwitz MJ, Hammond GD. J Clin Oncol 1993 Mar;11(3):527-37. PubMed abstract.

Improved therapy for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and unfavorable presenting features: a follow-up report of the Childrens Cancer Group Study CCG-106. Gaynon PS, Steinherz PG, Bleyer WA, Ablin AR, Albo VC, Finklestein JZ, Grossman NJ, Novak LJ, Pyesmany AF, Reaman GH, et al. J Clin Oncol 1993 Nov;11(11):2234-42. PubMed abstract.

1992

Impact of three methods of treatment intensification on acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children: long-term results of St Jude total therapy study X. Pui CH, Simone JV, Hancock ML, Evans WE, Williams DL, Bowman WP, Dahl GV, Dodge RK, Ochs J, Abromowitch M, et al. Leukemia 1992 Feb;6(2):150-7. PubMed Abstract. Note: defines HD MTX; reports on the usefulness of HD MTX.

1989

Milk could decrease the bioavailability of 6-mercaptopurine. Rivard GE, Lin KT, Leclerc JM, David M. Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1989 Winter;11(4):402-6. PubMed Abstract.

Links to ALL bibliographies on other web sites

ASCO online, links to abstracts on pediatric lymphoma and leukemia.

K.O.A.L.A. site

American Society of Hematology. This site is slanted towards medical professionals, but it's worth a poke around. The meeting abstracts can show us trends in treatment before they are published in professional journals.

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