Early vs. late MRD response- and risk-based treatment intensification of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a prospective pilot study from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Arm switching to a more intensive protocol had mixed results. Assigning patients by end-of-induction MRD-risk alone did not reflect response kinetics of the different NCI-risk groups. Although late treatment intensification improved outcomes of NCI-SR patients with positive MRD at end-of-induction, further refinement is needed to improve outcomes of NCI-HR with SER. Integration of NCI-risk group with specific MRD value and time point allows more refined treatment stratification.<i>Trial Registration</i> Protocols were approved by King Abdullah International Medical Research Center and Ethics Review Committee RC08053J.