Randomized Trial of Busulfan or Total Body Irradiation Conditioning Regimens for Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the efficacy of a busulfan containing conditioning regimen versus a total body irradiation (TBI) containing regimen for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. II. Compare relapse rate between a chemotherapy only regimen versus a total body irradiation containing regimen for children with ALL. III. Assess and compare the acute and chronic neuropsychological effects of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in children undergoing BMT with busulfan or TBI conditioning regimens. IV. Assess and compare the cardiac, pulmonary and growth effects of BMT in children undergoing this conditioning regimen. V. Assess the relationship between plasma busulfan levels and relapse and toxicity. VI. Assess and compare minimal residual disease patterns by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients receiving busulfan or TBI conditioning regimens.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter, randomized study comparing a chemotherapy only arm, including busulfan, with a TBI containing arm. Arm I patients receive TBI on days -7, -6, and -5 given in 2 fractions daily. Arm II patients receive busulfan every 6 hours on days -8, -7, -6, and -5. Both regimens are followed by etoposide over 4 hours on day -4 and cyclophosphamide intravenously (IV) on days -3 and -2. Marrow infusion begins following a day of rest. Starting on day -1, cyclosporine IV is administered every 12 hours or by continuous infusion and continues until day 50. Methotrexate IV is administered on days 1, 3, and 6

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 230 patients will be entered into this study.