Closing the gap: Novel therapies in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the most common cancer diagnoses identified in adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Although most children with ALL are cured of their disease, AYAs have experienced much worse outcomes over time, with event-free survival ranging from 30 to 45%. This survival disparity is likely due to differences in tumor biology, treatment-related toxicities, and nonmedical issues. This review summarizes these differences as well as focusing on the various trials that have demonstrated superior outcomes with pediatric protocols in AYAs with ALL. Even with the widespread use of these protocols, a treatment gap remains, and novel therapies are one way to address this problem. Still, these therapies also have significant toxicities and unique issues that need to be tested further, especially in the AYA population. The development of more AYA-specific trials will be an important way to examine novel therapies and interventions designed to reduce treatment-related toxicities and improve long-term outcomes.

Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Adolescent and young adult; Clinical trials; Immunotherapy; Salvage chemotherapy.