 (ALL) are more likely to relapse and less likely to  survive than younger children with the disease, according to a report from the  Children’s Oncology Group presented at the American Society of Clinical  Oncology meeting in Chicago. 

, patients  aged 1 to 30 years with newly diagnosed, B-precursor high-risk ALL were  randomized to receive dexamethasone or prednisone during the induction phase  and high-dose methotrexate versus escalating Capizzi methotrexate during  interim maintenance I. Of the 2,574 eligible patients, 501 were aged between 16  and 30 years. 

The  5-year, event-free survival and the overall survival rates were significantly  lower for teenagers and young adults (68% and 80%, respectively) compared with  younger patients (81% and 88%, respectively). At 5 years, 21% of teenagers and  young adults had relapsed compared with 13% of younger patients, largely because  of a higher rate of bone marrow relapse. In addition, fewer teenagers and young  adults achieved remission. Deaths after induction therapy and remission were  also much higher among the older patients: 5.5% compared with 2% in the younger  patients. 

To improve the outcome of adolescents and young adults with high-risk  ALL, effective strategies are needed to eradicate this more resistant disease  and lower the toxicity of therapy for patients, the researchers concluded.

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Teenagers and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are more likely to relapse and less likely to survive than younger children with the disease, according to a preliminary study. What is responsible for the lower survival rates?