Prognostic value of karyotypic analysis in children and adults with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia included in the PETHEMA ALL-93 trial.

Abstract

In adult patients with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia included in the PETHEMA ALL-93 protocol, cytogenetic analysis at diagnosis is a useful independent prognostic marker. The poorest prognosis for patients with t(9;22) justifies the development of specific treatments for these patients. In this small subgroup of children with very high-risk ALL no cytogenetic characteristics was found to influence the results of therapy, slow response to therapy being the only prognostic factor.