Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00400946 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : November 17, 2006
Results First Posted : June 14, 2017
Last Update Posted : November 20, 2019
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RATIONALE: L-asparaginase is an important component of treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but is also associated with notable side-effects, including hypersensitivity, pancreatitis, and thrombosis. We have previously reported that patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in whom asparaginase treatment was discontinued because of intolerable side-effects had survival outcomes that were inferior to those who received all or nearly all of their intended doses. Two bacterial sources of asparaginase exist: Escherichia coli (E coli) and Erwinia chrysanthemia (Erwinia). Generally, the E coli-derived enzyme has been used as front-line therapy and the Erwinia-derived preparation has been reserved for patients who develop hypersensitivity reactions. Pegylated E coli asparaginase (PEG-asparaginase) has a longer half-life and is potentially less immunogenic than native E coli L-asparaginase, and has been used as the initial asparaginase preparation in some pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment regimens.
PURPOSE: Although the pharmacokinetics of each of these asparaginase preparations: intravenous PEG-asparaginase (IV-PEG) and intramuscular native E coli L-asparaginase (IM-EC) have been well characterized, their relative efficacy and toxicity have not been studied extensively.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Drug/Agent Toxicity by Tissue/Organ Leukemia | Drug: asparaginase Drug: cyclophosphamide Drug: cytarabine Drug: dexamethasone Drug: dexrazoxane hydrochloride Drug: doxorubicin hydrochloride Drug: etoposide Drug: leucovorin calcium Drug: mercaptopurine Drug: methotrexate Drug: methylprednisolone Drug: pegaspargase Drug: prednisolone Drug: therapeutic hydrocortisone Drug: vincristine sulfate Radiation: radiation therapy | Phase 3 |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 800 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children |
Study Start Date : | April 2005 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | August 2014 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | June 2019 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Active Comparator: Intramuscular native E coli L-asparaginase (IM-EC)
Patients in this arm were randomized to intramuscular native E coli L-asparaginase 25 000 IU/m2 weekly for 30 doses. Protocol therapy was comprised of 5 phases: Induction, Consolidation I, CNS, Consolidation II, Continuation and varied dependent on risk classification. Patients who achieved complete remission after induction were eligible for post-induction asparaginase randomization. Further details are provided in the study description section.
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Drug: asparaginase Drug: cyclophosphamide Drug: cytarabine Drug: dexamethasone Drug: dexrazoxane hydrochloride Drug: doxorubicin hydrochloride Drug: etoposide Given IV Drug: leucovorin calcium Drug: mercaptopurine Given orally Drug: methotrexate Drug: methylprednisolone Drug: prednisolone Drug: therapeutic hydrocortisone Drug: vincristine sulfate Radiation: radiation therapy |
Experimental: Intravenous PEG-asparaginase (IV-PEG)
Patients in this arm were randomized to intravenous PEG-asparaginase 2500 IU/m2 every 2 weeks for 15 doses. Protocol therapy was comprised of 5 phases: Induction, Consolidation I, CNS, Consolidation II, Continuation and varied dependent on risk classification. Patients who achieved complete remission after induction were eligible for post-induction asparaginase randomization. Further details are provided in the study description section.
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Drug: cyclophosphamide Drug: cytarabine Drug: dexamethasone Drug: dexrazoxane hydrochloride Drug: doxorubicin hydrochloride Drug: etoposide Given IV Drug: leucovorin calcium Drug: mercaptopurine Given orally Drug: methotrexate Drug: methylprednisolone Drug: pegaspargase Given IV Drug: prednisolone Drug: therapeutic hydrocortisone Drug: vincristine sulfate Radiation: radiation therapy |
- Asparaginase-Related Toxicity Rate [ Time Frame: 30-week post-induction asparaginase treatment period ]Asparaginase-related toxicity rate is defined as the percentage of patients who experience allergy (all grades), symptomatic pancreatitis (grade 2 or worse), thrombotic or bleeding complications requiring intervention (grade 2 or worse) with treatment attribution of possibly, probably or definite based on CTCAEv3.
- 5-Year Disease-Free Survival [ Time Frame: Disease evaluations occurred continuously on treatment. Suggested long-term follow-up was monthly for 6m, bi-monthly for 6m, every 4 months for 1y, semi-annually for 1y, then annually. Median follow-up in this study cohort is 6 yrs, up to 10y. ]Disease-free survival (DFS) in a landmark analysis is defined as the duration of time from asparaginase randomization (which occurred after patients achieved complete remission and were assigned to a final risk group) to documented relapse, death during remission or second malignant neoplasm. DFS is estimated based on the Kaplan-Meier method and 5-year DFS is the probability of patients remaining alive, relapse-free and without occurrence of second malignant neoplasm 5 years from asparaginase randomization. Disease relapse is defined as >25% lymphoblasts identified morphologically in bone marrow aspirate/biopsy, or identification of lymphoblasts in marrow (any percentage) identified to be leukemic by flow cytometry, cytogenetics, FISH, immunohistochemistry, or other tests. Appearance of leukemic cells at any extramedullary site (a single, unequivocal lymphoblast in the CSF may qualify as CNS leukemia) also qualifies if confirmed by the PI.
- Post-Induction Nadir Serum Asparaginase Activity Level [ Time Frame: Samples for nadir serum asparaginase activity analyses were obtained before doses administered at weeks 5, 11, 17, 23 and 29 of post-induction asparaginase treatment. ]Nadir serum asparaginase activity (NSAA) levels were estimated based on established methods.
- Post-Induction Therapeutic Nadir Serum Asparaginase Activity Rate [ Time Frame: Samples for nadir serum asparaginase activity analyses were obtained before doses administered at weeks 5, 11, 17, 23 and 29 of post-induction asparaginase treatment. ]Nadir serum asparaginase activity (NSAA) levels were estimated based on established methods. Post-Induction therapeutic NSAA rate is defined as the percentage of patients achieving a NSAA level above 0.1 IU/mL ever during post-induction therapy.
- Induction Infection Toxicity Rate [ Time Frame: Assessed daily during remission induction days 4-32. ]Infection toxicity rate is defined as the percentage of patients who experience bacterial or fungal infection of grade 3 or higher with treatment attribution of possibly, probably or definite based on CTCAEv3 during remission induction phase of combination chemotherapy.
- Induction Serum Asparaginase Activity Level [ Time Frame: Samples for serum asparaginase activity analyses were obtained days 4, 11, 18 and 25 post one-dose of IV-PEG on day 7 of the induction phase. ]Serum asparaginase activity (NSAA) levels were estimated based on established methods.
- Induction Therapeutic Nadir Serum Asparaginase Activity Rate [ Time Frame: Samples for serum asparaginase activity analyses were obtained days 4, 11, 18 and 25 post one-dose of IV-PEG on day 7 of the induction phase. ]Nadir serum asparaginase activity (NSAA) levels were estimated based on established methods. Induction therapeutic NSAA rate is defined as the percentage of patients achieving a NSAA level above 0.1 IU/mL at a given timepoint.
- 5-Year Disease-Free Survival by MRD Day 32 Status [ Time Frame: Disease evaluations occurred continuously on treatment. Suggested long-term follow-up was monthly for 6m, bi-monthly for 6m, every 4 months for 1y, semi-annually for 1y, then annually. Median follow-up in this study cohort is 6 yrs, up to 10y. ]Disease-free survival (DFS) in a landmark analysis is defined as the duration of time from asparaginase randomization (which occurred after patients achieved complete remission and were assigned to a final risk group) to documented relapse, death during remission or second malignant neoplasm. DFS is estimated based on the Kaplan-Meier method and 5-year DFS is the probability of patients remaining alive, relapse-free and without occurrence of second malignant neoplasm 5 years from asparaginase randomization. Disease relapse is defined as >25% lymphoblasts identified morphologically in bone marrow aspirate/biopsy, or identification of lymphoblasts in marrow (any percentage) identified to be leukemic by flow cytometry, cytogenetics, FISH, immunohistochemistry, or other tests. Appearance of leukemic cells at any extramedullary site (a single, unequivocal lymphoblast in the CSF may qualify as CNS leukemia) also qualifies if confirmed by the PI.
- 5-Year Disease-Free Survival by Bone Marrow Day 18 Status [ Time Frame: Disease evaluations occurred continuously on treatment. Suggested long-term follow-up was monthly for 6m, bi-monthly for 6m, every 4 months for 1y, semi-annually for 1y, then annually. Median follow-up in this study cohort is 6 yrs, up to 10y. ]Disease-free survival (DFS) in a landmark analysis is defined as the duration of time from asparaginase randomization (which occurred after patients achieved complete remission and were assigned to a final risk group) to documented relapse, death during remission or second malignant neoplasm. DFS is estimated based on the Kaplan-Meier method and 5-year DFS is the probability of patients remaining alive, relapse-free and without occurrence of second malignant neoplasm 5 years from asparaginase randomization. Disease relapse is defined as >25% lymphoblasts identified morphologically in bone marrow aspirate/biopsy, or identification of lymphoblasts in marrow (any percentage) identified to be leukemic by flow cytometry, cytogenetics, FISH, immunohistochemistry, or other tests. Appearance of leukemic cells at any extramedullary site (a single, unequivocal lymphoblast in the CSF may qualify as CNS leukemia) also qualifies if confirmed by the PI.
- 5-year Disease-Free Survival by CNS Directed Treatment Group [ Time Frame: Disease evaluations occurred continuously on treatment. Suggested long-term follow-up was monthly for 6m, bi-monthly for 6m, every 4 months for 1y, semi-annually for 1y, then annually. Median follow-up in this study cohort is 6 yrs, up to 10y. ]Disease-free survival (DFS) in a landmark analysis is defined as the duration of time from asparaginase randomization (which occurred after patients achieved complete remission and were assigned to a final risk group) to documented relapse, death during remission or second malignant neoplasm. DFS is estimated based on the Kaplan-Meier method and 5-year DFS is the probability of patients remaining alive, relapse-free and without occurrence of second malignant neoplasm 5 years from asparaginase randomization. Disease relapse is defined as >25% lymphoblasts identified morphologically in bone marrow aspirate/biopsy, or identification of lymphoblasts in marrow (any percentage) identified to be leukemic by flow cytometry, cytogenetics, FISH, immunohistochemistry, or other tests. Appearance of leukemic cells at any extramedullary site (a single, unequivocal lymphoblast in the CSF may qualify as CNS leukemia) also qualifies if confirmed by the PI.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 1 Year to 18 Years (Child, Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
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Diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
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No known mature B-cell ALL, defined by the presence of any of the following:
- Surface immunoglobulin
- L3 morphology
- t(8;14)(q24;q32)
- t(8;22)
- t(2;8)
- T-cell surface markers and t(8;14)(q24;q11) allowed
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- No secondary ALL
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
- No known HIV positivity
- Not pregnant or nursing
- Fertile patients must use effective contraception
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
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No prior therapy except steroids of ≤ 1 week in duration and/or emergent radiation therapy to the mediastinum
- Patients treated with steroids within the past 7 days will not receive steroid prophase during study treatment

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00400946
United States, Massachusetts | |
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center at Dana Farber Cancer Institute | |
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115 | |
United States, New York | |
Albert Einstein Cancer Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine | |
Bronx, New York, United States, 10461 | |
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University Medical Center | |
New York, New York, United States, 10032 | |
James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at University of Rochester Medical Center | |
Rochester, New York, United States, 14642 | |
United States, Rhode Island | |
Hasbro Children's Hospital | |
Providence, Rhode Island, United States, 02903 | |
United States, Virginia | |
INOVA Fairfax Hospital | |
Fairfax, Virginia, United States, 22031 | |
Canada, Ontario | |
McMaster Children's Hospital at Hamilton Health Sciences | |
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8N 3Z5 | |
Canada, Quebec | |
Hopital Sainte Justine | |
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3T 1C5 | |
Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite Laval | |
Sainte Foy, Quebec, Canada, GIV 4G2 | |
Puerto Rico | |
San Jorge Children's Hospital | |
Santurce, Puerto Rico, 00912 |
Principal Investigator: | Lewis B. Silverman, MD | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Responsible Party: | Lewis B. Silverman, M.D., Silverman, Lewis MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00400946 |
Obsolete Identifiers: | NCT00165165 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
05-001 / CDR0000513019 P01CA068484 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) P30CA006516 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) DFCI-05001 ( Other Identifier: DFCI IRB Protocol Number ) |
First Posted: | November 17, 2006 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | June 14, 2017 |
Last Update Posted: | November 20, 2019 |
Last Verified: | November 2019 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
drug/agent toxicity by tissue/organ untreated childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia L1 childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia L2 childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia T-cell childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia |
Leukemia Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma Leukemia, Lymphoid Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms Lymphoproliferative Disorders Lymphatic Diseases Immunoproliferative Disorders Immune System Diseases Chemically-Induced Disorders Leucovorin Cytarabine Dexamethasone Methylprednisolone |
Prednisolone Hydrocortisone Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate Hydrocortisone acetate Hydrocortisone hemisuccinate Cyclophosphamide Doxorubicin Liposomal doxorubicin Methotrexate Etoposide Vincristine Asparaginase Mercaptopurine Pegaspargase Dexrazoxane |