Improved outcome for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children of a developing country: results of the Chilean National Trial PINDA 87.

Background: The National Chilean Pediatric Oncology Group, PINDA, reports the first prospective, nonrandomized trial for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), using a modified version of the Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster protocol (ALL BFM 86). The aim of this study was to classify immunophenotypes, to decrease cranial irradiation, and to assess whether this protocol would improve the survival rate.

Procedure: From June, 1987, to June, 1992, 444 unselected children were diagnosed with ALL.