[Adolescents with acute lymphatic leukaemia achieve significantly better results when treated following Dutch paediatric oncology protocols than with adult protocols].

Abstract

This difference in outcome was most likely related to differences in structure and content between the DCOG and HOVON protocols. The HOVON protocols consisted of relatively short, intensive chemotherapy, often followed by autologous or allogeneic bone-marrow transplantation. Several treatment elements present in the DCOG protocols, such as high-dose methotrexate, reinduction therapy and maintenance therapy were absent in the HOVON protocols. Moreover, the cumulative dosages of dexamethasone, mercaptopurine, asparaginase and vincristine were lower in the HOVON protocols.