Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with Central Nervous System Involvement—Challenges in Management

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The survival of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has dramatically improved during the last six decades. This improvement is secondary to improved diagnostics, risk stratification of treatment by biological features and response to treatment, improved supportive care, and the introduction of new treatment modalities such as immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy. However, many questions remain concerning the involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in leukemia, including ones pertaining to the risk factors for CNS involvement and relapse, the optimal treatment strategy to prevent relapse, and the role of newer therapies. This review discusses these questions by addressing the diagnosis of CNS leukemia, the current clinical trial data for treatment regimens with CNS activity, and issues specific to treatment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Funding Information
  • American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities)
  • Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, National Cancer Institute (Cancer Center Support CORE Grant CA21765)

This publication has 57 references indexed in Scilit: