Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose The purpose of this study is to reduce the side-effects from anti-leukemia therapy. The therapy in this study is based upon treatment information learned from prior clinical research programs as well as from laboratory research.
ConditionAcute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
InterventionDrug: prednisone
Drug: dexamethasone
Drug: doxorubicin
Drug: E. coli asparaginase
Drug: vincristine
Drug: methotrexate
Drug: Leucovorin
Drug: Asparaginase
Drug: cytarabine
Drug: Methotrexate/Hydrocortisone
PhasePhase 3
SponsorDana-Farber Cancer Institute
Responsible PartyDana-Farber Cancer Institute
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00165178
First ReceivedSeptember 9, 2005
Last UpdatedApril 23, 2013
Last verifiedApril 2013

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateSeptember 9, 2005
Last Updated DateApril 23, 2013
Start DateSeptember 2000
Estimated Primary Completion DateMay 2011
Current Primary Outcome Measures
  • To optimize dosing of E. coli L-asparaginase during the intensification period [Time Frame: 5 years] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • To determine the side effects of prednisone versus dexamethasone. [Time Frame: 5 years] [Designated as safety issue: Yes]
Current Secondary Outcome MeasuresTo compare randomized treatment groups using health-related, quality-of-life analysis [Time Frame: 5 years] [Designated as safety issue: No]

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleTreatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children
Official TitleTreatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to reduce the side-effects from anti-leukemia therapy. The
therapy in this study is based upon treatment information learned from prior clinical
research programs as well as from laboratory research.
Detailed Description
- Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are treated somewhat differently depending
on the relative risk of the leukemia recurring. Patients will be separated into
"Standard Risk" and "High Risk".

- The treatment program for both groups is separated into 4 phases. The phases of
treatment are induction, central nervous system (CNS) therapy, intensification and
continuation.

- The induction phase of therapy lasts for about one month and its purpose is to kill all
detectable leukemia cells. Patients in both groups will receive the following
medication: prednisone, vincristine, doxorubicin, methotrexate, leucovorin,
asparaginase, cytarabine (ARA-C), and hydrocortisone. Patients in the "Hight Risk"
group will also receive dexrazoxane.

- Patients whose leukemia is found to have a specific genetic abnormality involving a
gene on chromosome 11 (known as MLL gene) will have a MLL intensification phase which
begins after complete remission and lasts about 1 month. The drugs involved in MLL
intensification are: vincristine, methotrexate, leucovorin, hydrocortisone, cytarabine
and L-asparaginase.

- CNS therapy begins immediately after the end of induction therapy, after remission is
documented. This phase of treatment should last 3 weeks and includes a series of
spinal taps with the instillation of anti-leukemia drugs. Four spinal taps will be
performed over a two-week period. Both groups will receive vincristine,
6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate/cytarabine/hydrocortisone. Patients in the "High
Risk" group will also receive doxorubicin with dexrazoxane.

- Radiation therapy will also be delivered to patients in the "High Risk" group during
the CNS therapy phase. Radiation will be given in 8 daily treatments. The total dose
of radiation used during this study is lower than what has been used in the past to
help reduce side effects without increasing the risk of relapse.

- The intensification phase begins after the CNS therapy ends and lasts for 30 weeks.
This phase is intended to further reduce the number of leukemia cells in the body and
consists of cycles of chemotherapy repeated every three weeks with weekly shots of
asparaginase. The drugs administered to both groups during this phase are: prednisone
or dexamethasone, vincristine,6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, E. coli asparaginase and
cytarabine. Patients in the "High Risk" group will also receive doxorubicin and
dexrazoxane.

- The continuation phase begins after the completion of the intensification phase and the
goal is to eradicate all leukemia from the body. It consists of cycles of chemotherapy
repeated every 3 weeks and is continued until the patient has been in remission for 2
years. The drugs administered during this phase are vincristine, prednisone or
dexamethasone, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate and cytarabine.

- During this trial there are two randomizations, each is between the "standard"
treatment and the "investigational" treatment. One randomization involves the drug E.
coli L-asparaginase and two ways of dosing this drug. One way is to give the same
standard dose of the drug that has been administered for years. The other way is to
start with a lower dose and measure the amount of the drug in the blood every 3 weeks
adjusting the dose as necessary. The goal of doing this is to maintain adequate drug
levels with lower doses in the hope the it may reduce some side effects of the drug.

- The second randomization involves the drugs prednisone and dexamethasone. Both drugs
have been used in the past to help treat ALL but it is not known if there is a
difference between the two drugs, especially in terms of side effects. Patients will
be randomized to either receive dexamethasone or prednisone.

- Throughout the study blood tests, urine tests, spinal taps, and bone marrow tests will
be performed to monitor the disease status, side effects from medications and other
complications from therapy.

- Quality of life questionnaires will also be performed by the patient (if older than 8),
parent and patient's clinician.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 3
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionAcute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
InterventionDrug: prednisone
Induction Phase: Given orally or intravenously Days 0-28 Intensification Phase: Given orally Days 1-5 of each cycle Continuation Phase: Given orally Days 1-5 of each cycle
Drug: dexamethasone
Intensification Phase: Given orally days 1-5 of each cycle Continuation Phase: Given orally days 1-5 pf each cycle
Drug: doxorubicin
Induction Phase: Intravenously on Days 0,1 Intensification Phase: Intravenously on Day 1 of each cycle
Other Names:
dexrazoxaneDrug: E. coli asparaginase
Intensification Phase: In the muscle weekly. Dose will vary
Drug: vincristine
Induction: Intravenously on days 0, 7, 14, 21 MLL Intensification Phase: Intravenously on Days 1, 8, 15, 22 CNS Therapy: Intravenously on Day 1 Intensification Phase: Intravenously on day 1 of each cycle Continuation Phase: Intravenously on Day 1 of each cycle
Drug: methotrexate
Induction: Intravenously on Day 2 MLL Intensification: Intravenously on Days 1, 8 Intensification: (when doxorubicin completed) Intravenously or into the muscle weekly Continuation: Intravenously or into the muscle weekly
Drug: Leucovorin
Induction Phase: Intravenously or orally begins 36 hours after methotrexate MLL Intensification: Intravenously or orally begins 36 hours after methotrexate
Drug: Asparaginase
Induction: Into the muscle on Day 4 MLL Intensification: Into the muscle on Days 16, 23
Drug: cytarabine
Induction: Intrathecal on Days 0, 14, 28 MLL Intensification: Intravenously on Days 15, 16, 22, 23
Other Names:
ARA-CDrug: Methotrexate/Hydrocortisone
Induction: Intrathecal on Days 14, 28 MLL Intensification: Intrathecal on Days 2,9
Study Arm (s)
  • Experimental: Individualized ASP dose
  • Active Comparator: Fixed dose ASP
  • Experimental: Dexamethasone
  • Active Comparator: Prednisone

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusCompleted
Estimated Enrollment498
Estimated Completion DateMay 2011
Estimated Primary Completion DateDecember 2004
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia excluding known mature B-cell ALL by the presence of any
of the following: surface immunoglobulin, L3 morphology, t(8;14) (q24;q32), t(8;22)
or t(2;8)

- Age > 12 months but less than 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

- Prior therapy except, 1 week of steroids, or emergent radiation therapy to the
mediastinum

- Known HIV positive
GenderBoth
Ages1 Year
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesUnited States

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00165178
Other Study ID Numbers00-001
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeYes
Information Provided ByDana-Farber Cancer Institute
Study SponsorDana-Farber Cancer Institute
CollaboratorsChildren's Hospital Boston
University of Rochester
McMaster University
San Jorge Children's Hospital (Puerto Rico)
Hospital St. Justine
Maine Children's Cancer Program
Oschner Clinic (New Orleans)
Tulane University School of Medicine
Laval University
Columbia University
Investigators Principal Investigator: Lewis Silverman, MD Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Verification DateApril 2013

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115