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Despite high complete remission (CR) rates with frontline therapy, relapses are frequent in adults with T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL) with limited salvage options. We analyzed the outcomes and prognostic factors for CR to salvage therapy and overall survival (OS) of patients with R/R T‐ALL included in two prospective measurable residual disease‐oriented trials. Seventy‐five patients (70 relapsed, 5 refractory) were identified. Relapses occurred in bone marrow, isolated or combined in 50 patients, and in the central nervous system (CNS; isolated or combined) in 20. Second CR was attained in 30/75 patients (40%). Treatment with FLAG‐Ida and isolated CNS relapse were independently associated with a higher CR rate after first salvage therapy. The median OS was 6.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9–8.6) months, with a 4‐year OS probability of 18% (95% CI, 9%–27%). No differences in survival were observed according to the treatment with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients in CR after first salvage therapy. Multivariable analysis showed a ≥12‐month interval between first CR and relapse, CR after first salvage therapy and isolated CNS relapse as favorable prognostic factors for OS with hazard ratios (HR) (95% CI) of 1.931 (1.109–3.362), 2.958 (1.640–5.334), and 2.976 (1.157–7.655), respectively. This study confirms the poor outcomes of adults with R/R T‐ALL among whom FLAG‐Ida was the best of the rescue therapies evaluated. Late relapse, CR after first rescue therapy and isolated CNS relapse showed prognostic impact on survival. More effective rescue therapies are needed in adults with R/R T‐ALL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective The standardization of treatment of older adults with Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is challenging, especially in the age range of 55–65 years. This study aimed to compare intensive, pediatric-inspired therapy with non-intensive therapy in this population of patients. Patients and methods The outcomes of 67 patients prospectively included in two consecutive pediatric-inspired intensive protocols (ALL-HR03 and ALL-HR11) from the Spanish PETHEMA Group were compared with those from 44 patients included in a contemporary semi-intensive protocol (ALL-OLD07). Results Baseline patient and ALL characteristics were similar in both groups, except for a younger median age in the intensive group (medians: 58 vs. 62 years). Patients treated intensively had a higher complete remission rate (85% vs. 64%, p = 0.005), a lower cumulative incidence of relapse (39% [95%CI, 25% to 52%] vs. 60% [95%CI, 38% to 77%], p = .003), a similar cumulative incidence of treatment-related mortality (28% [95% CI, 18%, 40%] vs. 21% [95% CI, 10%, 34%]) and superior event-free survival at 2 years (37% [95%CI, 25%–49%) vs. 21% [8%-34%], p = 0.002). On multivariable analysis the type of protocol was the only variable with independent significance for event-free survival (HR [95% CI]: 2 [1.3, 3], p = .002). Conclusions Compared with less intensive chemotherapy, pediatric-inspired intensive chemotherapy significantly improves the outcome of older adults with Ph-negative ALL in the age range of 55–65 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]