Management of hyperleukocytosis in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia using immediate chemotherapy without leukapheresis: results from the NOPHO-DBH AML 2012 Protocol

Abstract

Hyperleukocytosis (HL) in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with severe complications and inferior outcome. We report results on HL patients included in the NOPHO-DBH AML 2012 study. We recommended immediate start of full dose chemotherapy (etoposide [ETO] monotherapy for 5 days as part of the first course), avoiding leukapheresis (LA) and prephase chemotherapy (PCT). Of 714 included patients, 122 (17.1%) had HL, and 111 were treated according to the recommendations with ETO upfront without preceding LA or PCT. The first dose was applied the same day as the AML diagnosis or the day after in 94%. ETO was administered via peripheral veins in 37% of patients without major complications. After initiation of ETO the remaining WBC on days 2-5 was 69%, 36%, 17% and 8% of the pre-treatment level. On day 3, 81% had a WBC