Vincristine, prednisone and L-asparaginase in the induction of remission in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia following relapse.

Two hundred and twenty-seven children with recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated with various combinations of vincristine, prednisone, cyclophosphamide and L-asparaginase in an approach to the induction of remission. The combination of L-asparaginase 1,000 mu/kg iv q.d. x 10, vincristine 2.0 mg/m2iv q.w. x 4 and prednisone 40 mg/m2 p.o.q.d. x 28 days was found to be highly effective. The incidence of remission was 73%. No significant improvement was achieved when cyclophosphamide was added to this regimen. Various combinations of cytosine arabinoside, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, BCNU or CCNU failed to maintain remission duration for more than two or three months. Neither BCNU nor CCNU prevented the development of CNS leukemia.