Testing Targeted Therapy in Philadelphia Chromosome-Like (Ph-Like) All

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Sponsor: University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus

Location(s): United States

Description

The Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) is a cytogenetic abnormality commonly seen in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The end result of this abnormality is the expression of BCR-ABL fusion proteins. These proteins are constitutively active tyrosine kinases capable of perturbing cell signaling and its homeostasis.
This randomized phase III trial is studying how well combination chemotherapy works in treating young patients with newly diagnosed high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) and giving the drugs in different doses and in different combinations may kill more cancer cells.