A survival analysis of paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients at the Moroccan University Hospital Centre of Rabat.
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INTRODUCTION: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common childhood leukaemia and a significant cause of paediatric mortality worldwide. Morocco, as part of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, aims to achieve a 60% survival rate for paediatric cancers by 2030. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates survival rates and prognostic factors for paediatric ALL patients treated according to the MARALL 2006 protocol at the University Hospital Centre Ibn Sina in Rabat, Morocco. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study analysed data from 512 children diagnosed with ALL between June 2006 and December 2017. Sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic data were collected. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses identified survival rates and prognostic factors. RESULTS: Among the patients, 56.2% achieved complete remission after first-line treatment and 20.9% experienced relapse. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 83%, 67% and 63%, respectively. Significant prognostic factors included age ≥10 years, white blood cell count >50,000/mm3 and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels. Standard risk classification and B-cell immunophenotype were associated with better survival outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study highlights encouraging survival rates for paediatric ALL patients in Morocco, exceeding the WHO target of 60%. However, achieving the national goal of 80% survival requires further improvements in early diagnosis, treatment access and adoption of advanced therapies.