Advances In The Treatment of Childhood Leukemia

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

BIDEIEG}Hiea Ith AdvancesIn The Treatment Of Childhood Leukemia (NAPSA)—Acute leukemia is the most common childhood cancer in the United States and over the past several decades, cure rates have improved dramatically. Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most prevalent form of blood cancer in this population, have approximately an 80 percent chance of long-term survival today. Despite years of illness and rigorous treatments, many survivors have entered the workforce, gotten married and started their own families. The cause of leukemia remains unknown. ALLis a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. When this occurs, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. As a result, the body is not well equipped to defend itself, which results in infections, anemia andeasybleeding. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for clofara- bine (Clolar), for treatment of pediatric patients 1 to 21 years old with ALL who have failed at least two prior treatment regimens. Further testing of Clolar in combination with other anti-cancer drugs is now under way. The drug was developed by Genzyme Corp. Full prescribing information, including clinical trial information, safety, dosing, drug-drug interactions, and contraindications are available at www.fda.gov.

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