The clinical significance of current laboratory and other prognostic indicators in the management of South African children with Precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study aimed to identify the relevance of these prognostic features in the modern \ntreatment era in South African children. A retrospective analysis of the presentation \nclinical and laboratory features and treatment outcomes of all children treated for \nPrecursor B cell ALL at the Johannesburg Hospital was performed. \nBetween January 1997 and May 2007, 100 children were reviewed. Clinical features \n(age, race and gender) emerged as significant prognostic variables. Laboratory features \n(white cell count and genetic features) lacked significance. Early morphologic response \non day 15 identified a subgroup associated with a favourable outcome. However the \npresence of > 5% blasts was not significantly predictive of relapse or death at this time \npoint. Minimal residual disease (MRD) detection by modified immunoglobulin gene \nrearrangement and flow cytometry techniques did not improve the predictive value of the \nmorphological assessment. \nIn a low resource setting, the challenge is to design cost effective MRD detection \nmethods to improve the identification of patients at risk for relapse.
Author: Elise Schapkaitz
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2247251579