Work

Optimal management of elderly/old Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Today, Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) is a curable disease. In real life, too many adult ALL patients are not adequately worked up at diagnosis and treated, and this occurs, in particular, in elderly/old individuals. Here, we present representative case descriptions to discuss how Ph+ ALL patients diagnosed in their seventh, eight and ninth decade of life can, through a timely, accurate and personalized administration of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), without systemic chemotherapy, experience long-lived responses, minimal residual disease negativity, and a good quality of life. In this scenario, stopping TKI administration can also be considered. This perspective article represents a proof of concept that, nowadays, even in elderly/old Ph+ ALL, the disease can be cured or kept under prolonged control if adequately managed.

Source: Haematologica

DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2025.300060

Authors: Robin Foà, Sabina Chiaretti, Felicetto Ferrara, Giovanni Pizzolo

Institutions: Sapienza University of Rome, Ospedale Antonio Cardarelli, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona

Language: English

Topic: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia research

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,157