Abstract

VILLASIS KEEVER, Miguel Angel; ARIAS GOMEZ, Jesús; ESCAMILLA NUNEZ, Alberto  and  BONILLA ROJAS, Jesús. Meta-analysis of prognostic factors related to mortality in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2012, vol.69, n.3, pp.175-189. ISSN 1665-1146.

Background. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is one of the most common oncological diseases of the pediatric age. The study of the prognosis of these patients has led to identify variables that are associated with different endpoints. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis in order to have an overview of the factors associated with the prognosis, in terms of mortality, in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods. The study selection was based on Medline. Using a peer-review process we identified the following group of publications: cohort studies of pediatric patients with ALL that were analyzed for prognostic factors associated with 5-year survival. In addition, we also included original or review articles in which prognostic factors or scales were related to mortality in ALL pediatric patients. Data collected are presented descriptively. In order to determine the magnitude of the factors identified associated with mortality, different meta-analyses were performed. Results. We selected 29 publications. It was determined that the following patient characteristics at diagnosis are associated with more favorable survival: ages 1 to 9 years, female gender and without CNS infiltration. Favorable characteristics related to leukemic cells are white blood cell count <50,000 cell/uL, B-cell immunophenotype, DNA index 1.16-1.60 and absence of translocations t(9; 22), t(1; 19) and t(4, 11). Conclusions. The study of prognostic factors of pediatric patients with ALL has contributed to reduced mortality; however, further research is required in this area.

Keywords : prognosis; survival; mortality; acute lymphoblastic leukemia; children.