Reduced vs. standard dose native E. coli-asparaginase therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: long-term results of the randomized trial Moscow-Berlin 2002.

Purpose: Favorable outcomes were achieved for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with the first Russian multicenter trial Moscow-Berlin (ALL-MB) 91. One major component of this regimen included a total of 18 doses of weekly intramuscular (IM) native Escherichia coli-derived asparaginase (E. coli-ASP) at 10000 U/m during three consolidation courses.

Results of the first randomized multicentre trial on childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Russia.

Until 1990, the survival of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in Russia was below 10%. To establish a protocol feasible under conditions there, ALL-MB 91 was designed to avoid prolonged bone marrow aplasia, thereby reducing needs for extensive supportive care, blood transfusions, long-lasting hospitalization and costs. High-dose therapies were avoided, anthracycline use was limited and CNS radiation therapy only foreseen in high-risk patients (about 30%).