Adults Living With Acute Lymphocytic/Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs, given intravenously (through a needle into a vein) or in pill form, can destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy has long been an effective treatment for ALL and continues to be an important treatment option for many patients.

Chemotherapy treatment for ALL typically begins with “induction” (initial) chemotherapy, a series of treatments in which a combination of drugs is used to destroy the majority of the leukemia calls and bring blood counts to normal levels.

Following induction chemotherapy, a longer course of “consolidation” therapy is used to destroy any remaining leukemia cells that may still exist, but cannot be detected through standard testing.

Induction and consolidation chemotherapy treatment often combine two or more drugs, as this seems to be a more effective approach than administering one drug alone (known as “monotherapy”). The types of chemotherapy most often given to treat ALL in these two phases include:

• Vincristine. Vincristine (Oncovin, Marqibo, Vincasar PFS) prevents microtubules within the cell from dividing and replicating, which ultimately results in the death of cancer cells.
• Anthracyclines. Anthracyclines (doxorubicin, daunorubicin) are a type of antibiotic used to treat many types of cancer; they are designed to damage the DNA in cancer cells, causing those cells to die.
• Cytarabine. Cytarabine (Cytosar-U, Ara-C) is an “antimetabolite,” which prevents cancer cells from dividing.

Based on the patient’s individual circumstances, the induction phase of chemotherapy may also include cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), Pegylated-asparaginase (PEG-aspargase), etoposide (VP-16) and rituximab if the lymphoblasts express the protein CD20 on their surface.

After consolidation therapy, patients with ALL generally receive maintenance therapy, a less intensive course of chemotherapy designed to delay or prevent a relapse. Maintenance therapy typically consists of a combination of methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), both of which are antimetabolites, in combination with vincristine and prednisone, a corticosteroid that controls inflammation in the body.

During each phase of chemotherapy, people with ALL may receive “prophylaxis” treatment to prevent leukemia cells from spreading to the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord). In prophylaxis treatment, chemotherapy drugs – such as methotrexate or cytarabine – are injected into the fluid that covers the spinal cord. Prednisone may also be included as part of this therapy. Additionally, the antimetabolite chemotherapy nelarabine (Arranon) is used for the treatment of patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) whose disease is refractory (has not responded to at least two chemotherapy regimens), or has relapsed (recurred) following treatment.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy focuses on specific cell mechanisms thought to be important for the growth and survival of cancer cells.

About 25 percent of adult patients with ALL have a chromosomal abnormality (the “Philadelphia chromosome”) which forms BCR-ABL, a new “fusion” gene. Cells with the BCR-ABL gene make an abnormal protein that fuels the growth of cancer cells.

Drugs, called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have been developed to attack this protein. TKIs are taken in pill form and include imatinib (Gleevec), dasatinib (Sprycel), and ponatinib (Iclusig). Studies have shown that adding a TKI to chemotherapy helps patients go into remission after treatment and can also help keep the leukemia from recurring.

Stem Cell Transplant

A stem cell transplant is a procedure in which diseased bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow. It is an important treatment option for some people with ALL.

In an allogeneic transplant, stem cells (blood cells that divide to make new bloods cells within the bone marrow) are harvested (removed) from a donor from either the blood or bone marrow. Donors are often a close relative such as a brother or sister, but sometimes can be an unrelated volunteer who has compatible bone marrow.

The individual living with ALL is given high doses of chemotherapy or radiation to destroy as many leukemia cells as possible. The stem cells are then “infused” (transplanted) into the body, where they travel to the bones and begin rebuilding bone marrow.

To prevent the rejection of donor cells and to ensure the transplanted cells do not cause an autoimmune disease such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, others) are typically given for a period of time after the transplant.

Many older people are not able to tolerate the high doses of chemotherapy that are used in stem cell transplants. In that case, a “reduced-intensity” transplant may be performed. In this procedure (also called a mini-transplant), lower doses of chemotherapy are given, potentially with radiation. The individual living with ALL then receives allogeneic (donor) stem cells. To determine if a stem cell transplant is the right treatment approach, doctors weigh a number of factors, including the risk of recurrence if a transplant is not performed and how well the leukemia has responded to prior treatment approaches. Age and general physical health are also taken into consideration.

Immunotherapy

Our immune system is constantly working to keep us healthy. It recognizes and fights against danger, such as infections, viruses and growing cancer cells. In general terms, immunotherapy uses our own immune system as a treatment against cancer.

Monoclonal Antibodies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two monoclonal antibodies, a type of immunotherapy, for the treatment of B-cell precursor ALL:

• Inotuzumab ozogamicin. In August 2017, the FDA approved inotuzumab ozogamicin (Besponsa) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor ALL. Inotuzumab ozogamicin works by targeting
• Blinatumomab. In 2017, the FDA approved blinatumomab (Blincyto) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor ALL. In March 2018, the FDA extended the approval of blinatumomab to treat individuals with B-cell precursor ALL who are in remission but still have minimal residual disease (MRD). Blinatumomab works by attaching to the CD19 protein on leukemia cells and the CD3 protein found on certain immune system cells, which improves the ability of the immune cells to attack the leukemia cells and helps to prevent relapse.

CAR T-cell Therapy

In August 2017, the FDA approved the immunotherapy tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) for the treatment of certain pediatric and young adult with ALL. Tisagenlecleucel, a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, uses a patient’s own T-cells (a type of white blood cell) to target cancer cells that are positive for the CD19 protein.

Tisagenlecleucel is intended for children and young adults up to the age of 25 with B-cell ALL that is refractory, meaning that it has not responded to standard treatments, or has relapsed (recurred) at least twice.

CAR T-cell therapy follows a specific process:

• Blood is drawn from the patient via an intravenous catheter (a flexible tube).
• The T-cells are isolated from the rest of the blood.
• In a laboratory, the T-cells are genetically modified to produce CAR T-cells that will recognize cancerous cells.
• The T-cells are expanded to number in the hundreds of millions and infused back into the patient.
• The CAR triggers the modified T-cells to attack the CD19-positive cells.

As you manage your cancer, it’s important to remember that you are a consumer of health care. The best way to make decisions about health care is to educate yourself about your diagnosis and get to know the members of your health care team, including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dietitians, social workers and patient navigators.

Here are some tips for improving communication with your health care team:

Start a health care journal. Having a health care journal or notebook will allow you to keep all of your health information in one place. You may want to write down the names and contact information of the members of your health care team, as well as any questions for your doctor. Keep a diary of your daily experiences with symptoms related to your illness or treatment. You can separate your journal or notebook into different sections to help keep it organized.

Prepare a list of questions. Before your next medical appointment, write down your questions and concerns. Because your doctor may have limited time, you should ask your most important questions first, and be as specific and brief as possible.

Bring someone with you to your appointments. Even if you have a journal and a prepared list of questions or concerns, it’s always helpful to have support when you go to your appointments. The person who accompanies you can serve as a second set of ears. He or she may also think of questions to ask your doctor or remember details about your symptoms or treatment that you may have forgotten.

Write down your doctor’s answers. Taking notes will help you remember your doctor’s responses, advice, and instructions. If you cannot write down the answers, ask the person who accompanies you to do that for you. If you have a mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet, ask if you can use it to take notes. Writing notes will help you review the information later.

Remember, there is no such thing as over-communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should a person diagnosed with ALL seek a second opinion?

A: At the time of diagnosis, it makes sense to seek a consultation from a major cancer center or a group of physicians who are experts in managing ALL. Another time to seek a consultation or second opinion is if the cancer is not responding to treatment and/or if a change in treatment is warranted. Discussions can include possible changes in treatment approaches and whether participation in a clinical trial should be considered.

Q: If I am being treated for ALL during flu season, should I get a flu shot?

A: Flu shots are not “contraindicated’” for people undergoing treatment for ALL (meaning that the shots are generally safe), but their effectiveness can be reduced by the treatment being received. There are other measures that can reduce the risk of a viral illness, such as frequent hand-washing, avoiding people who have (or are just getting over) a cold and a healthy diet. It is also important that family members and close companions of those receiving any type of cancer treatment get flu shots to prevent catching and passing on the flu to the person in treatment.

Q: What is a treatment summary and why is it important?

A: A treatment summary, sometimes called a “shadow chart,” is a document you create and which remains in your possession. Maintaining your own records allows you and your family members instant access to the specifics of your diagnosis and treatment. A treatment summary should include:

• Your name and date of birth.
• Date of diagnosis.
• Name, affiliation, and contact information of the doctor who gave the diagnosis.
• Prescribed therapy/therapies; include dates started and stopped, and dosages when appropriate.
• Dates and types of post-diagnosis testing, and the results.
• Other medication and supplements you are taking.
• Names, affiliations, and contact information of all members of your health care team.

Talk to your doctor or a member of your health care team about your intention to create a treatment summary, and ask them what else they suggest be included. Take your treatment summary with you when you visit any doctor, not just your oncologist.