Treatment for Children and Young Adults with Newly Diagnosed T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) or T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

Intensified Methotrexate, Nelarabine (Compound 506U78; IND # 52611) and Augmented BFM Therapy for Children and Young Adults with Newly Diagnosed T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) or T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

ALL is a type of cancer that occurs in the bone marrow. ALL is divided into groups based on the cell type (B-cell or T-cell) and how the cells appear under the microscope.  It is a disease in which there is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal white blood cells, referred to as blasts.  These abnormal cells crowd out the normal cells in the bone marrow.  Sometimes these blasts cells can be found in the brain, spinal cord, and /or other organs of the body.

The overall goal of this study is to see if we can get rid of the cancer for as long as possible with acceptable side effects of therapy. Side effects are unintended and unwanted results of treatment.

The total number of people with T-ALL enrolled on this study is expected to be 1461 world-wide.  Approximately 12 people will take part of this study at the University of Iowa.