High-dose MTX improves EFS in high-risk B-ALL

However, there was no significant difference in induction death rate—1.9% and 1.8%, respectively (P=0.87). The same was true when the investigators looked only at patients younger than 10 (P=0.71) or at patients 10 and older (P=0.69).

Among patients ages 10 and older who participated in the induction corticosteroid randomization before it was closed, the 5-year cumulative incidence of osteonecrosis was 24.3% for patients who received dexamethasone and 15.9% for those who received prednisone (P=0.001).

There were no other significant differences in adverse events between the 2 corticosteroid regimens.