Prevalence of non-adherence and non-compliance during maintenance therapy in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and their associations with survival

OBJECTIVES: Explore patient adherence and physician compliance to protocol guidelines during maintenance therapy, including the association with survival in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODS: Blood counts, aminotransferase levels and prescribed 6-mercaptopurine (6MP)/methotrexate (MTX) doses were compared with the protocol guidelines to assess compliance. Non-adherence to the prescribed medication was confirmed in patients with unmeasurable 6MP metabolite levels and suspected in patients with low 6MP metabolites concurrent with aminotransferase and white blood cell count within normal ranges, while potential intermittent non-adherence was defined by >1.9 fold fluctuating 6MP metabolites.

RESULTS: Physicians' non-compliance with insufficient dose increments of 6MP/MTX despite white blood cell counts above the target level comprised a median of 20.1% (interquartile range 9.7-39.3%) of the observed time in maintenance therapy, yet no association to relapse was found (P = .17). Non-adherence to 6MP was confirmed in 9.8% (5 of 51 patients), suspected in an additional 9.8% (5 of 51 patients), and intermittent non-adherence was suspected in 52.6% (20 of 38 patients).

CONCLUSION: Although no association between non-compliance and leukemic relapse was found, likely due to lack of power, increased attention to this phase of ALL therapy is indicated.