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Treatment of Young Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

  • Acute Lymphocytic Leukemias (K Ballen, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are a distinctive category of patients, with substantial difference in disease biology and response to therapy; hence, they pose unique challenges and issues beyond those faced by children and older adults. Despite inferior survival compared to children, there is growing evidence to suggest that young adults have improved outcomes when treated with pediatric-based approaches. With better supportive care and toxicity management and multidisciplinary team and approach, we have made great improvement in outcomes of young adults with ALL. However, despite significant progress, patients with persistence of minimal residual disease have a poor prognosis. This review discusses current controversies in the management of young adults with ALL, outcomes following pediatric and adult protocols, and the role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. We also explore recent advances in disease monitoring and highlight our approach to incorporation of novel therapies in the management of young adults with ALL.

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  1. Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Ankit Kansagra & Mark Litzow

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  1. Ankit Kansagra
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  2. Mark Litzow
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Correspondence to Mark Litzow.

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Ankit Kansagra declares no potential conflicts of interest. Mark Litzow reports a grant from Amgen.

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Kansagra, A., Litzow, M. Treatment of Young Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 12, 187–196 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11899-017-0377-y

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