Pooja Gidwani1, K H Ramesh, Yingxian Liu, Edward Anders Kolb. 1. Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. pooja_gidwani@yahoo.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite significant advances in treatment and survival rates in pediatric acute leukemias, relapse remains a common reason for treatment failure. Survival following relapse is dismal for most patients. Clofarabine, a purine nucleoside analog, has recently been approved for use in relapsed and refractory pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clofarabine and cytarabine together may be synergistic and have been used safely in adult leukemia patients. CASE REPORT: We describe the administration of this combination to a 9-year-old boy with multiple relapsed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who failed to achieve remission after the third attempt. He achieved complete morphologic and cytogenetic remission with 1 cycle of this combination. CONCLUSION: This case is the first report of successful remission induction in a multiple relapsed pediatric leukemia patient using the clofarabine and cytarabine combination. Although it is a single case, it highlights the need for further studies to assess safety and efficacy of this combination in pediatric patients.
BACKGROUND: Despite significant advances in treatment and survival rates in pediatric acute leukemias, relapse remains a common reason for treatment failure. Survival following relapse is dismal for most patients. Clofarabine, a purine nucleoside analog, has recently been approved for use in relapsed and refractory pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clofarabine and cytarabine together may be synergistic and have been used safely in adult leukemiapatients. CASE REPORT: We describe the administration of this combination to a 9-year-old boy with multiple relapsed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who failed to achieve remission after the third attempt. He achieved complete morphologic and cytogenetic remission with 1 cycle of this combination. CONCLUSION: This case is the first report of successful remission induction in a multiple relapsed pediatric leukemiapatient using the clofarabine and cytarabine combination. Although it is a single case, it highlights the need for further studies to assess safety and efficacy of this combination in pediatric patients.
Authors: Falk Duchardt; Ivo R Ruttekolk; Wouter P R Verdurmen; Hugues Lortat-Jacob; Jochen Bürck; Hansjörg Hufnagel; Rainer Fischer; Maaike van den Heuvel; Dennis W P M Löwik; Geerten W Vuister; Anne Ulrich; Michel de Waard; Roland Brock Journal: J Biol Chem Date: 2009-10-26 Impact factor: 5.157