7–11 minutes

NCCN Chemotemplate
Indication: T-ALL or B-ALL (Philadelphia negative): Frontline and Relapsed/Refractory

Induction → Extended Induction (if needed) → Consolidation → Interim Maintenance → Delayed Intensification → Maintenance

Induction (DAUNOrubicin/Pegaspargase/VinCRIStine/PredniSONE)

29-day cycle for 1 cycle

MedicationDay 1Day 4Day 8Day 15Day 22Day 29
Daunorubicin Q1wk25 mg/m² IV push25 mg/m² IV push25 mg/m² IV push25 mg/m² IV push
Vincristine Q1wk1.5 mg/m² IV over 5–10 min (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV over 5–10 min1.5 mg/m² IV over 5–10 min1.5 mg/m² IV over 5–10 min
Pegaspargase (≤21 years)2,500 units/m² IV over 2 h (max 3,750units ~1vial)
OR Pegaspargase (>21 years)2,000 units/m² IV over 2 h (max 3,750units ~1vial)
Prednisone daily 60 mg/m²/day PO divided BIDcolspan Days 1–28colspan Days 1–28colspan Days 1–28colspan Days 1–28colspan Days 1–28
Cytarabine (IT) PF only70 mg IT
Methotrexate (IT) standard CNS ppx15 mg IT15 mg IT
OR Methotrexate IT (CNS-3 at diagnosis) Intensified CNS-directed therapy15 mg IT15 mg IT15 mg IT15 mg IT
Daunorubicin: Slow IV push administration
Pegaspargase Premedications (30–60 min prior): Acetaminophen 650–1000 mg PO + Diphenhydramine (or equivalent H1 blocker) 12.5–50 mg IV/PO + Famotidine (or equivalent H2 blocker) 20 mg IV/PO +/- Corticosteroid Per institutional protocol
Primary febrile neutropenia prophylaxiss (high risk): G-CSF is recommended per NCCN hematopoietic growth factor guidance.
Intrathecal medications must use preservative-free formulations only, and should be administered in one syringe to minimize handling/errors.

Extended Induction (if needed; DAUNOrubicin/Pegaspargase/VinCRIStine/PredniSONE)

29-day cycle for 1 cycle (for patients without M0 or M1 marrow after initial induction)

MedicationDay 1Day 4Day 8Days 1–14
Daunorubicin25 mg/m² IV push
Vincristine1.5 mg/m² IV over 5–10 min (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV over 5–10 min (max 2 mg)
Pegaspargase (≤21 years)2,500 units/m² IV over 2 h
OR Pegaspargase (>21 years)2,000 units/m² IV over 2 h (max 3,750units ~1vial)
Prednisone 60 mg/m²/day PO divided BIDDays 1–14ContinuedContinued
Daunorubicin: Slow IV push administration
Pegaspargase Premedications (30–60 min prior): Acetaminophen 650–1000 mg PO + Diphenhydramine (or equivalent H1 blocker) 12.5–50 mg IV/PO + Famotidine (or equivalent H2 blocker) 20 mg IV/PO +/- Corticosteroid Per institutional protocol
Primary febrile neutropenia prophylaxis (high risk): G-CSF risk ecommended per NCCN hematopoietic growth factor guidance.
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.

Consolidation (CycloPHOSphamide/Cytarabine/Mercaptopurine/ Pegaspargase/VinCRIStine)

56-day cycle for 1 cycle

MedicationD1D4D8D11D15D22D29D32D36D39D43D50
Cyclophosphamide IV over 30min1000 mg/m² IV1000 mg/m² IV
Cytarabine IV over 1-3h or SC75 mg/m² daily (D1–4)75 mg/m² daily (D8–11)75 mg/m² daily (D29–32)75 mg/m² daily (D36–39)
Mercaptopurine
60 mg/m² PO daily
Daily (D1–14)End D14Daily (D29–42)End D42
Vincristine IV over 5-10 min1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)
Pegaspargase ≤21 yr IV over 2 h2500 units/m² IV2500 units/m² IV
OR Pegaspargase >21 yr2000 units/m² IV (max 3,750units ~1vial)2000 units/m² IV (max 3,750units ~1vial)
Methotrexate IT15 mg IT15 mg IT15 mg IT*15 mg IT*
Methotrexate: Omit D15 & D22 if CNS-3 at diagnosis
Pegaspargase Premedications (30–60 min prior): Acetaminophen 650–1000 mg PO + Diphenhydramine (or equivalent H1 blocker) 12.5–50 mg IV/PO + Famotidine (or equivalent H2 blocker) 20 mg IV/PO +/- Corticosteroid Per institutional protocol
Primary febrile neutropenia prophylaxis (high risk): G-CSF risk ecommended per NCCN hematopoietic growth factor guidance.
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.
Hydration with Cyclophosphamide: Target combined oral + IV hydration of 2–3 L/day on cyclophosphamide days (D1 and D29). Oral hydration strongly encouraged.

Interim Maintenance (Methotrexate/Pegaspargase/VinCRIStine)

42-day cycle for 1 cycle

MedicationDay 1Day 2Day 11Day 21Day 22Day 31Day 41
Vincristine IV over 5–10 min1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)
Methotrexate (Systemic)100 mg/m² IV push*150 mg/m² IV push*200 mg/m² IV push*250 mg/m² IV push*300 mg/m² IV over 30 min
Pegaspargase ≤21 years2,500 units/m² IV over 2 h2,500 units/m² IV over 2 h
OR Pegaspargase >21 years2,000 units/m² IV over 2 h (max 3,750units ~1vial)2,000 units/m² IV over 2 h (max 3,750units ~1vial)
Methotrexate (Intrathecal)15 mg IT15 mg IT
Methotrexate dose escalation should proceed only if prior doses are tolerated per protocol.
Pegaspargase Premedications (30–60 min prior): Acetaminophen 650–1000 mg PO + Diphenhydramine (or equivalent H1 blocker) 12.5–50 mg IV/PO + Famotidine (or equivalent H2 blocker) 20 mg IV/PO +/- Corticosteroid Per institutional protocol
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.

Delayed Intensification (CycloPHOSphamide/Cytarabine/DOXOrubicin/Pegaspargase/Thioguanine/VinCRIStine/DexAMETHasone)

56-day cycle for 1 cycle

MedicationD1D4/5/6*D8D15D21D29D32D36D39D43D50
Vincristine IV over 5–10 min1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV1.5 mg/m² IV1.5 mg/m² IV1.5 mg/m² IV
Doxorubicin Slow IV push25 mg/m² IV push25 mg/m² IV push25 mg/m² IV push
Pegaspargase ≤21 years2,500 units/m² IV2,500 units/m² IV
OR Pegaspargase >21 years2,000 units/m² IV (max 3,750units ~1vial)2,000 units/m² IV (max 3,750units ~1vial)
Cyclophosphamide IV over 30 min1,000 mg/m² IV
Cytarabine IV over 1–3 h or SC75 mg/m² daily (D29–32)75 mg/m² daily (D36–39)
Thioguanine 60 mg/m² PO dailyDaily D29–42End D42
Dexamethasone 10 mg/m²/day PO/IV divided BIDDays 1–7Days 15–21End D21
Methotrexate (IT)15 mg IT15 mg IT15 mg IT
MedicationD1D4/5/6*D8D15D21D29D32D36D39D43D50
Pegaspargase: administered on Day 4 OR Day 5 OR Day 6 (per protocol/institutional scheduling) and again on Day 43.
Pegaspargase Premedications (30–60 min prior): Acetaminophen 650–1000 mg PO + Diphenhydramine (or equivalent H1 blocker) 12.5–50 mg IV/PO + Famotidine (or equivalent H2 blocker) 20 mg IV/PO +/- Corticosteroid Per institutional protocol
Primary febrile neutropenia prophylaxis (high risk): G-CSF risk ecommended per NCCN hematopoietic growth factor guidance.
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.
Hydration with Cyclophosphamide: Target combined oral + IV hydration of 2–3 L/day on cyclophosphamide days (D29). Oral hydration strongly encouraged.
MedicationD1D4/5/6*D8D15D21
Vincristine IV over 5–10 min1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)1.5 mg/m² IV1.5 mg/m² IV
Doxorubicin Slow IV push25 mg/m² IV push25 mg/m² IV push25 mg/m² IV push
Pegaspargase ≤21 years2,500 units/m² IV
OR Pegaspargase >21 years2,000 units/m² IV (max 3,750units ~1vial)
Cyclophosphamide IV over 30 min
Cytarabine IV over 1–3 h or SC
Thioguanine 60 mg/m² PO daily
Dexamethasone 10 mg/m²/day PO/IV divided BIDDays 1–7Days 15–21End D21
Methotrexate (IT)15 mg IT
MedicationD1D4/5/6*D8D15D21
Pegaspargase: administered on Day 4 OR Day 5 OR Day 6 (per protocol/institutional scheduling) and again on Day 43.
Pegaspargase Premedications (30–60 min prior): Acetaminophen 650–1000 mg PO + Diphenhydramine (or equivalent H1 blocker) 12.5–50 mg IV/PO + Famotidine (or equivalent H2 blocker) 20 mg IV/PO +/- Corticosteroid Per institutional protocol
Primary febrile neutropenia prophylaxis (high risk): G-CSF risk ecommended per NCCN hematopoietic growth factor guidance.
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.
Hydration with Cyclophosphamide: Target combined oral + IV hydration of 2–3 L/day on cyclophosphamide days (D29). Oral hydration strongly encouraged.
MedicationD29D36D43D50
Vincristine IV over 5–10 min1.5 mg/m² IV1.5 mg/m² IV
Doxorubicin Slow IV push
Pegaspargase ≤21 years2,500 units/m² IV
OR Pegaspargase >21 years2,000 units/m² IV (max 3,750units ~1vial)
Cyclophosphamide IV over 30 min1,000 mg/m² IV
Cytarabine IV over 1–3 h or SC75 mg/m² daily (D29–32)75 mg/m² daily (D36–39)
Thioguanine 60 mg/m² PO dailyDaily D29–42End D42
Dexamethasone 10 mg/m²/day PO/IV divided BID
Methotrexate (IT)15 mg IT15 mg IT
MedicationD29D36D43D50
Pegaspargase: administered on Day 4 OR Day 5 OR Day 6 (per protocol/institutional scheduling) and again on Day 43.
Pegaspargase Premedications (30–60 min prior): Acetaminophen 650–1000 mg PO + Diphenhydramine (or equivalent H1 blocker) 12.5–50 mg IV/PO + Famotidine (or equivalent H2 blocker) 20 mg IV/PO +/- Corticosteroid Per institutional protocol
Primary febrile neutropenia prophylaxis (high risk): G-CSF risk ecommended per NCCN hematopoietic growth factor guidance.
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.
Hydration with Cyclophosphamide: Target combined oral + IV hydration of 2–3 L/day on cyclophosphamide days (D29). Oral hydration strongly encouraged.

Maintenance (Mercaptopurine/Methotrexate/VinCRIStine/DexAMETHasone)

12-week cycle until the total duration of therapy, beginning with the first interim maintenance period, reaches 2 years for females and 3 years for males

  • People diagnosed with T-ALL received 24Gy prophylactic cranial irradiation during the first cycle of maintenance therapy.
  • People diagnosed with CNS involvement at diagnosis received 18Gy cranial irradiation during the first cycle of maintenance therapy.
  • Mercaptopurine (6MP): Must be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after eating.
  • Methotrexate (MTX): Taken orally once a week. Taken on an empty stomach like the 6-MP
C1–4D1D8D15D22
Mercaptopurine 75 mg/m² PO dailyDaily D1–84


Methotrexate (PO)20 mg/m²20 mg/m²20 mg/m²
Dexamethasone 6 mg/m²/day PO/IV divided BID x5dDays 1–5
Vincristine IV over 5–10 min1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)
Methotrexate (IT)15 mg IT
Mercaptopurine tablets available: 50 mg; oral suspension 20 mg/mL.
Methotrexate tablets available: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg; oral solution 2mg/mL
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.
C1–4D29D36D43D50
Mercaptopurine 75 mg/m² PO daily
Methotrexate (PO)20 mg/m²20 mg/m²20 mg/m²
Dexamethasone 6 mg/m²/day PO/IV divided BID x5dDays 29–33   
Vincristine IV over 5–10 min 1.5 mg/m² IV
Methotrexate (IT)15 mg IT   
Mercaptopurine tablets available: 50 mg; oral suspension 20 mg/mL.
Methotrexate tablets available: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg; oral solution 2mg/mL
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.
C1–4D57D64D71D78
Mercaptopurine 75 mg/m² PO daily
Methotrexate (PO)20 mg/m²20 mg/m²20 mg/m²20 mg/m²
Dexamethasone 6 mg/m²/day PO/IV divided BID x5dDays 57–61
Vincristine IV over 5–10 min1.5 mg/m² IV   
Methotrexate (IT)    
Mercaptopurine tablets available: 50 mg; oral suspension 20 mg/mL.
Methotrexate tablets available: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg; oral solution 2mg/mL
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.
C5+D1D8D15D22
Mercaptopurine 75 mg/m² PO dailyDaily D1–84


Methotrexate (PO)20 mg/m²20 mg/m²20 mg/m²
Dexamethasone 6 mg/m²/day PO/IV divided BID x5dDays 1–5
Vincristine IV over 5–10 min1.5 mg/m² IV (max 2 mg)
Methotrexate (IT)15 mg IT
Mercaptopurine tablets available: 50 mg; oral suspension 20 mg/mL.
Methotrexate tablets available: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg; oral solution 2mg/mL
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.
C5+D29D36D43D50
Mercaptopurine 75 mg/m² PO daily
Methotrexate (PO)20 mg/m²20 mg/m²20 mg/m²20 mg/m²
Dexamethasone 6 mg/m²/day PO/IV divided BID x5dDays 29–33   
Vincristine IV over 5–10 min 1.5 mg/m² IV
Methotrexate (IT)   
Mercaptopurine tablets available: 50 mg; oral suspension 20 mg/mL.
Methotrexate tablets available: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg; oral solution 2mg/mL
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.
C5+D57D64D71D78
Mercaptopurine 75 mg/m² PO daily
Methotrexate (PO)20 mg/m²20 mg/m²20 mg/m²20 mg/m²
Dexamethasone 6 mg/m²/day PO/IV divided BID x5dDays 57–61
Vincristine IV over 5–10 min1.5 mg/m² IV   
Methotrexate (IT)    
Mercaptopurine tablets available: 50 mg; oral suspension 20 mg/mL.
Methotrexate tablets available: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg; oral solution 2mg/mL
Intrathecal Therapy: Use preservative-free formulations only; administer IT therapy in one syringe whenever applicable to minimize handling/errors.