Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Currently Applied Prognostic Factors

Several clinical and biologic factors have been found to be significant predictors of outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), including age, presenting leukocyte count, immunophenotype, recurrent chromosomal abnormalities, and response to initial therapy as assessed by light microscopy as well as more sensitive measures of submicroscopic disease. Over the last several decades, these prognostic factors have been used to stratify therapy; patients with “high r isk” features have received more intensive treatments, while those with features associated with a lower risk of relapse receive less aggressive therapy. This article will review those factors that are currently utilized by clinical trials groups world-wide to determine treatment for children and adolescents with ALL.