ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA (ALL) IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

Objective: To compare the clinical and biologic characteristics, respo nse to therapy and outcome of adult patients with ALL above and below the age of 55. Design: Retrospective review of clinical and laboratory data. Setting: University affiliated Cancer Center and Veteran's Hosp ital. Patients: Thirty-three newly diagnosed, consecutive, adults with ALL seen over a nine-year period. Results: while no differences were demonstrated in the distribution of recognized prognostic indicators ( such as cytogenetic abnormalities or immunophenotype), individuals ove r the age of 55 had significantly lower remission rates and shorter su rvivals. Conclusions: The outcome of elderly patients with ALL is very poor. This is primarily related to an increase in the number of early deaths during induction, as well as a higher prevalence of disease re fractory to standard chemotherapy programmes. There is a need for new treatment protocols designed for the elderly ALL patient, as well as a better understanding of the unique biological characteristics of the disease in this age group.