International experts not only review the state-of-the-art in managing children and adults with acute leukemia, but also debate the pros and cons of current controversial and problematic issues. The book summarizes the best diagnostic and treatment practices for acute leukemias in children, adolescents, and adults. Among the therapies discussed are methotrexate, asparaginase, antipurines, epipodophyllotoxins, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, hematopoietic growth factors, and immunotherapy.

Part I: Diagnosis, Classification, and Prognosis

Classification of Acute Leukemias: Perspective 1
Wolf-Dieter Ludwig, Torsten Haferlach, and Claudia Schoch

Classification of Acute Leukemias: Perspective 2
Frederick G. Behm

Part II: Chemotherapeutic Strategies

A. Infant Leukemias

Biology and Treatment of Infant Leukemias: Perspective 1
Rob Pieters

Biology and Treatment of Acute Leukemias in Infants: Perspective 2
Gregory H. Reaman

B. Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Treatment of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Martin Schrappe and Martin Stanulla

Treatment of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium Perspective
Lewis B. Silverman and Stephen E. Sallan

C. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Adolescents and Young Adults

Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Adolescents and Young Adults: Lessons Learned and Future Directions
Sima Jeha and Hagop M. Kantarjian

Treatment of Adolescents and Young Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Children's Cancer Group Trials
James Nachman

D. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Adults

Treatment of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Perspective 1
Spero R. Cataland and Richard A. Larson

Treatment of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Perspective 2
Dieter Hoelzer and Nicola Gökbuget

E. Central Nervous System Therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Central Nervous System-Directed Therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Judith M. Chessells

Diagnosis, Prophylaxis, and Treatment of Central Nervous System Involvement in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Anjo J. P. Veerman

F. Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Treatment of Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Perspective 1
Helmut Gadner, Georg Mann,and Christina Peters

Treatment of Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Perspective 2
Günter Henze and Arend von Stackelberg

G. B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Treatment of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Perspective 1
Catherine Patte

Treatment of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Perspective 2
John T. Sandlund

H. Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Children

Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Children
Ursula Creutzig

Treatment of Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia
David M. Loeb and Robert J. Arceci

I. Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Adults

Therapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Adults
Bob Löwenberg

Treatment of Adult Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Ricardo T. Spielberger and Stephen J. Forman

J. Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Perspective 1
Zhu Chen and Zhen-Yi Wang

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Perspective 2
Francesco Lo Coco, Giuseppe Avvisati, and Franco Mandelli

K. Childhood Leukemias in Underprivileged Countries

Treatment of Childhood Leukemias in Underprivileged Countries
Bharat Agarwal and Rashmi Dalvi

How to Confront the Problem of Treatment of Childhood Leukemias in Underprivileged Populations
Giuseppe Masera and Andrea Biondi

Part III: Antileukemic Drugs

A. High-Dose Methotrexate in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Rationale for High-Dose Methotrexate in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Timothy L. Brenner and William E. Evans

Role of Methotrexate in the Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Bruce M. Camitta and Barton A. Kamen

B. Asparaginase

Asparaginase
Barbara L. Asselin and Joanne Kurtzberg

Asparaginase Treatment
Carmelo Rizzari

C. Antipurines in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic