Molecular characterization of very early relapsed childhood ALL

Purpose: In childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), approximately 25% of patients suffer from relapse. In recurrent disease, despite intensified therapy, overall cure rates of 40% remain unsatisfactory and survival rates are particularly poor in certain subgroups. The probability of long-term survival after relapse is predicted from well-established prognostic factors, i. e. time and site of relapse, immunophenotype and minimal residual disease. However, the underlying biological determinants of these prognostic factors remain poorly understood.

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