Hyperglycemia and obesity in patients (pts) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): Association with prevalence, response, and survival

Abstract

7074 Increasing evidence suggests associations between obesity, diabetes and/or hyperglycemia (DM/HG) and solid tumors. Less is known about the relationship of these metabolic factors to the hematologic malignancies. To determine the prevalence of DM/HG and obesity in pts with ALL and whether these are predictors of response and survival, we conducted a retrospective chart review of 299 pts with newly diagnosed ALL, who were evaluated at our institution between November 1999 and May 2005 and received hyper-CVAD therapy: fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone alternating with methotrexate and high-dose cytarabine. Median age was 43 yrs (range 15–83). Sixty-one percent of pts were male, and 39% female. Seventy-four percent had a diagnosis (dx) of precursor B cell ALL (22% Ph+), 18% Burkitt's ALL, 6% lymphoblastic lymphoma, 2% other. Prior to therapy, the overall prevalence of DM/HG (diabetes based on reported dx prior to ALL-dx, and hyperglycemia based on baseline serum glucose ≥200 mg/dL) was 16%. Pts with DM/HG were significantly older than those without DM/HG (median age 57 yrs vs. 40 yrs, p<0.001). Complete remission (CR) rate and the CR duration (CRD) were similar in the DM/HG vs. non-DM/HG group. However, the mean CRD was 80 wks in the HG separately group and 121 wks in the non-HG group (p=0.04). The mean CRD was 102 wks in the obese pts and 124 wks in the non-obese pts (p=.04). In univariate analysis, DM/HG, obesity, and older age were associated with shorter overall survival (OS). Mean OS of pts with DM/HG was 134 vs. 194 wks for pts without DM/HG, (p=0.2). Mean OS of obese pts was 136 vs. 199 wks for non-obese pts, (p=0.01). In a multivariable Cox regression model, the only factors that remained significant for survival were age, obesity, and white blood cell count (WBC). There was no significant difference in OS by leukemia diagnosis. In conclusion, the prevalence data suggests that DM/HG may be involved in the development of ALL. However, DM/HG has no impact on survival, probably because of its strong correlation with age. The association of obesity with shorter OS warrants further investigation. No significant financial relationships to disclose.