Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Adults

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by clonal proliferation of lymphoid progenitors (lymphoblasts). Improved diagnostic tools permit accurate and prompt diagnosis and aid in evaluation of minimal residual disease (MRD). There have been significant advances in the past decade toward understanding disease pathogenesis, refinement of prognostic groups, and the development of exciting new therapies directed toward specific disease subsets. These molecular targeted and immunotherapeutic approaches are transforming the treatment strategies for adults with ALL and are beginning to result in significant improvements in survival.