B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia - historical

The purpose of this page is to provide references to regimens that are obsolete, outdated, or of historical interest only. As a general rule, this includes the inferior arm(s) of a randomized study, unless said regimens continue to be recommended by trustworthy sources such as the NCCN Guidelines. Is there a regimen missing from this list? See the main B-ALL page for current regimens.

11 regimens on this page 11 variants on this page

Upfront induction therapy

Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, L-Asparaginase, Vincristine, Prednisolone

Regimen

Study	Dates of enrollment	Evidence
Takeuchi et al. 2002 (JALSG-ALL93)	1993-1997	Non-randomized

Chemotherapy

• Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
• Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
• L-Asparaginase
• Vincristine (Oncovin)

Glucocorticoid therapy

• Prednisolone (Millipred)

References

1. JALSG-ALL93: Takeuchi J, Kyo T, Naito K, Sao H, Takahashi M, Miyawaki S, Kuriyama K, Ohtake S, Yagasaki F, Murakami H, Asou N, Ino T, Okamoto T, Usui N, Nishimura M, Shinagawa K, Fukushima T, Taguchi H, Morii T, Mizuta S, Akiyama H, Nakamura Y, Ohshima T, Ohno R. Induction therapy by frequent administration of doxorubicin with four other drugs, followed by intensive consolidation and maintenance therapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the JALSG-ALL93 study. Leukemia. 2002 Jul;16(7):1259-66. link to original article PubMed

Idarubicin, L-Asparaginase, Vincristine, Prednisone

Regimen

Study	Dates of enrollment	Evidence	Comparator	Comparative Efficacy
Hunault et al. 2004 (GOELAL02)	1994-1998	Phase 3 (C)	Idarubicin, L-asparaginase, Vincristine, Prednisone; oral prednisone	Did not meet primary endpoint of response rate

Chemotherapy

• Idarubicin (Idamycin)
• Asparaginase (Elspar)
• Vincristine (Oncovin)

Glucocorticoid therapy

• Prednisone (Sterapred) IV

References

1. GOELAL02: Hunault M, Harousseau JL, Delain M, Truchan-Graczyk M, Cahn JY, Witz F, Lamy T, Pignon B, Jouet JP, Garidi R, Caillot D, Berthou C, Guyotat D, Sadoun A, Sotto JJ, Lioure B, Casassus P, Solal-Celigny P, Stalnikiewicz L, Audhuy B, Blanchet O, Baranger L, Béné MC, Ifrah N; GOELAMS (Groupe Ouest-Est des Leucémies Airguës et Maladies du Sang) Group. Better outcome of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia after early genoidentical allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) than after late high-dose therapy and autologous BMT: a GOELAMS trial. Blood. 2004 Nov 15;104(10):3028-37. Epub 2004 Jul 15. link to original article PubMed NCT00483132

L-Asparaginase, Vincristine, Prednisone

Regimen

Study	Dates of enrollment	Evidence	Comparator	Comparative Efficacy
Henderson et al. 1979 (CALGB 7113)	1971-1976	Non-randomized
Gottlieb et al. 1984 (CALGB 7612)	1976-1980	Randomized (C)	DOLP	Inferior CR rate

Chemotherapy

• Asparaginase (Elspar)
• Vincristine (Oncovin)

Glucocorticoid therapy

• Prednisone (Sterapred)

28-day course

References

1. CALGB 7113: Henderson ES, Scharlau C, Cooper MR, Haurani FI, Silver RT, Brunner K, Carey RW, Falkson G, Blom J, Nawabi IV, Levine AS, Bank A, Cuttner J, Cornwell GG 3rd, Henry P, Nissen NI, Wiernik PH, Leone L, Wohl H, Rai K, James GW, Weinberg V, Glidewell O, Holland JF. Combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia in adults: results of CALGB protocol 7113. Leuk Res. 1979;3(6):395-407. link to original article PubMed
2. CALGB 7612: Gottlieb AJ, Weinberg V, Ellison RR, Henderson ES, Terebelo H, Rafla S, Cuttner J, Silver RT, Carey RW, Levy RN, Hutchinson JL, Raich P, Cooper MR, Wiernik P, Anderson JR, Holland JF. Efficacy of daunorubicin in the therapy of adult acute lymphocytic leukemia: a prospective randomized trial by Cancer and Leukemia Group B. Blood. 1984 Jul;64(1):267-74. link to original article PubMed

Mercaptopurine & Methotrexate

Regimen

Study	Dates of enrollment	Evidence	Comparator	Comparative Efficacy
Frei et al. 1958 (ALGB 01)	NR	Randomized (E-switch-ic)	6-MP & MTX; alternate dosing	Did not meet endpoints
Frei et al. 1961 (ALGB 03)	1957-1960	Randomized (E-esc)	1. 6-MP 2. MTX	Did not meet endpoint of DOR

Note: this is one of the first combination regimens in hematology/oncology.

Chemotherapy

• Mercaptopurine (6-MP)
• Methotrexate (MTX)

References

1. ALGB 01: Frei E 3rd, Holland JF, Schneiderman MA, Pinkel D, Selkirk G, Freireich EJ, Silver RT, Gold GL, Regelson W. A comparative study of two regimens of combination chemotherapy in acute leukemia. Blood. 1958 Dec;13(12):1126-48. link to original article PubMed
2. ALGB 03: Frei E, Freireich EJ, Gehan E, Pinkel D, Holland JF, Selawry O, Haurani F, Spurr CL, Hayes DM, James GW, Rothberg H, Sodee DB, Rundles RW, Schroeder LR, Hoogstraten B, Wolman IJ, Traggis DG, Cooper T, Gendel BR, Ebaugh F, Taylor R. Studies of Sequential and Combination Antimetabolite Therapy in Acute Leukemia: 6-Mercaptopurine and Methotrexate. Blood. 1961;18(4):431-454. link to original article

Prednisolone monotherapy

Regimen

Study	Dates of enrollment	Evidence
Shanbrom & Miller 1962	NR	Non-randomized

Glucocorticoid therapy

• Prednisolone (Millipred)

References

1. Shanbrom E, Miller S. Critical evaluation of massive steroid therapy of acute leukemia. N Engl J Med. 1962 Jun 28;266:1354-8. link to original article PubMed

Prednisone monotherapy

Regimen

Study	Dates of enrollment	Evidence
Granville et al. 1958	1955-1956	Non-randomized

Glucocorticoid therapy

• Prednisone (Sterapred)

References

1. Granville NB, Rubio F Jr, Unugur A, Schulman E, Dameshek W. Treatment of acute leukemia in adults with massive doses of prednisone and prednisolone. N Engl J Med. 1958 Jul 31;259(5):207-13. link to original article PubMed

Late intensification

POMP

POMP: Purinethol (Mercaptopurine), Oncovin (Vincristine), Methotrexate, Prednisone

Regimen

Study	Dates of enrollment	Evidence
Bodey et al. 1976	NR in abstract	Non-randomized, fewer than 20 pts

Note: POMP is still used in maintenance settings; this is marked historic because it is late intensification.

Chemotherapy

• Mercaptopurine (6-MP)
• Vincristine (Oncovin)
• Methotrexate (MTX)

Glucocorticoid therapy

• Prednisone (Sterapred)

References

1. Bodey GP, Freireich EJ, Gehan E, McCredie KB, Rodriguez V, Gutterman J, Burgess MA. Late intensification therapy for acute leukemia in remission: chemotherapy and immunotherapy. JAMA. 1976 Mar 8;235(10):1021-5. link to original article PubMed

Relapsed or refractory

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) monotherapy

Regimen

Study	Dates of enrollment	Evidence
Mathé et al. 1969	NR	Non-randomized

Immunotherapy

• Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)

References

1. Mathé G, Amiel JL, Schwarzenberg L, Schneider M, Cattan A, Schlumberger JR, Hayat M, De Vassal F. Active immunotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Lancet. 1969 Apr 5;1(7597):697-9. link to original article PubMed

Pentostatin monotherapy

Regimen

Study	Dates of enrollment	Evidence
Prentice et al. 1981	NR	Pilot

Chemotherapy

• Pentostatin (Nipent)

References

1. Prentice HG, Russell NH, Lee N, Ganeshaguru K, Blacklock H, Piga A, Smyth JF, Hoffbrand AV. Therapeutic selectivity of and predication of response to 2'-deoxycoformycin in acute leukaemia. Lancet. 1981 Dec 5;2(8258):1250-4. link to original article PubMed

TBI, then auto HSCT

TBI: Total Body Irradiation

Regimen

Study	Evidence
McGovern et al. 1959	Pilot

Note: This is of historic interest and likely the first reported use of autologous HSCT in the treatment of malignancy.

Radiotherapy

• Total body irradiation

References

1. McGovern JJ Jr, Russell PS, Atkins L, Webster EW. Treatment of terminal leukemic relapse by total-body irradiation and intravenous infusion of stored autologous bone marrow obtained during remission. N Engl J Med. 1959 Apr 2;260(14):675-83. link to original article PubMed

Vincristine liposomal monotherapy

Regimen

Study	Dates of enrollment	Evidence	Efficacy
O'Brien et al. 2012 (RALLY)	2007-NR	Phase 2 (RT)	ORR: 35%

Chemotherapy

• Vincristine liposomal (Marqibo) 2.25 mg/m² IV over 60 minutes once on day 1

7-day cycles

References

1. RALLY: O'Brien S, Schiller G, Lister J, Damon L, Goldberg S, Aulitzky W, Ben-Yehuda D, Stock W, Coutre S, Douer D, Heffner LT, Larson M, Seiter K, Smith S, Assouline S, Kuriakose P, Maness L, Nagler A, Rowe J, Schaich M, Shpilberg O, Yee K, Schmieder G, Silverman JA, Thomas D, Deitcher SR, Kantarjian H. High-dose vincristine sulfate liposome injection for advanced, relapsed, and refractory adult Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Feb 20;31(6):676-83. Epub 2012 Nov 19. link to original article contains dosing details in manuscript link to PMC article PubMed NCT00495079