Remission induction chemotherapy

Source: Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.

Source updated: April 21, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.

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Context: Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Childhood ALL / Standard Induction Treatment Options for Newly Diagnosed ALL

The goal of the first phase of therapy (remission induction) is to induce a complete remission (CR). This induction phase typically lasts 4 weeks. Overall, approximately 98% of patients with newly diagnosed B-ALL achieve CR by the end of this phase, with somewhat lower rates in infants and in noninfant patients with T-ALL or high presenting leukocyte counts.[1-5]

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Induction chemotherapy typically consists of the following drugs, with or without an anthracycline (either doxorubicin or daunorubicin):

Vincristine.

Corticosteroid (either prednisone or dexamethasone).

Asparaginase.

Intrathecal chemotherapy.

The Children's Oncology Group (COG) protocols administer a three-drug induction (vincristine, corticosteroid, and pegaspargase) to National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard-risk B-ALL patients and a four-drug induction (vincristine, corticosteroid, and pegaspargase plus anthracycline) to NCI high-risk B-ALL and all T-ALL patients. Other groups use a four-drug induction for all patients.[1-3]

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Corticosteroid therapy →Asparaginase →Anthracycline use during induction →

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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice