Enhancing outcomes of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in workplace diversity in Thailand: multicenter study on behalf of the Thai Pediatric Oncology Group

Abstract

The Thai Pediatric Oncology Group (ThaiPOG) has adapted treatment regimens from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) to enhance outcomes for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This study examined the risk factors and treatment results of pediatric ALL in Thailand. This multicenter study included newly diagnosed children (< 18 years) with ALL in 19 centers between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019. Most of the 1,157 patients (97.6%) were treated according to ThaiPOG protocols. The genetic testing was performed in 71% of patients. The patients were classified as standard (n = 539), high (n = 402), and very high (n = 130) risks. The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 75% (95% confidence intervals (CI), 72%–77.8%) and 81.7% (95% CI, 78.9%–84.1%), respectively. The 5-year EFS rates of the standard-, high-, and very high-risk groups were 78.5% (95% CI, 74.1%–82.3%), 73.6% (95% CI, 68.5%–78%) (p = 0.761), and 65% (95% CI, 55.1%–73.3%) (p = 0.001), respectively, and the 5-year OS rates were 86.9% (95% CI, 83.1%–89.9%), 77.3% (95% CI, 72.5%–81.4%) (p = 0.001), and 73.1% (95% CI, 63.7%–80.4%) (p = 0.001), respectively. The independent risk factors for relapse and death were age ≥ 10 years, white blood cells (WBCs) ≥ 50,000/mm3, M2 or M3 marrow status at the end of induction, and high-risk group. The overall outcome of Thai pediatric ALL has improved after the implementation of new modified COG treatment protocols. High-risk characteristics of ALL increased adverse outcome risk.