The use of anthracyclines in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Divisione di Ematologia, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italy.

A critical review of the role of anthracyclines in the management of adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia was performed to define current indications for their use. Major pertinent clinical series were reviewed with reference to anthracycline type, cumulative dosage and dose intensity, and administration schedule during both induction therapy and postremission consolidation, comparing results, whenever possible, with non-anthracycline treatment groups. A subgroup analysis was performed to evidentiate disease subtypes likely associated with a favorable outcome to anthracycline treatment. The results indicated that anthracyclines may still play a primary role in this setting. In particular, anthracyclines should be used at full therapeutic doses, especially during induction and early consolidation; idarubicin could be a better choice than daunorubicin or adriamycin; finally, an early brief intensive treatment with anthracyclines may provide an excellent probability of long-term disease-free survival in CD10+ t(9;22)-negative B-precursor adult ALL, obviating the need for prolonged maintenance or late reinduction therapy.