Systemic Exposure to Mercaptopurine as a Prognostic Factor in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in Children

Abstract

Low systemic exposure to oral mercaptopurine during maintenance therapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia in childhood adversely affects prognosis. Children should be studied at the beginning of maintenance therapy to establish the pharmacokinetics of mercaptopurine, and the dose should be tailored to achieve an appropriate systemic exposure.