Introduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains to be one of the most common malignancies in children, accounting for 21% of cancers internationally. Survival is reported at 92%; however, for low- and middle- income countries, survival rates are much lower. In the year 2020, the COVID-19 Pandemic saw the conversion of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) from being the catch-all hospital into a COVID referral center, limiting service delivery for non-COVID patients.

We looked at the outcomes of those patients diagnosed during the years 2020-2022. Chemotherapy regimens used were the SIOP PODC Regimen 3 and 4 for standard risk and for high risk ALL, respectively. Many adjustments were made to be able to continue chemotherapy.

Methodology: Data regarding all newly-diagnosed B- or T-Cell ALL patients seen at the UP-PGH from January 2020-December 2022 were collected. Treatment outcomes were reviewed.

Results: Of the 71 patients diagnosed with B- or T-Cell ALL in 2020-2022, 23 (32%) successfully completed treatment. There were also patients who abandoned treatment (7, 10%). 18 patients (25%) experienced early bone marrow or CNS relapse. Of the 18 patients, 12 eventually died from complications of relapse. 1 patient had late CNS relapse, and eventually died. 7 patients (10%) died from infection (bacterial sepsis, COVID-19 infection). Around one-third are still ongoing treatment (21 or 30%)

Conclusion: Among patients who were diagnosed with B- or T-Cell ALL in 2020-2022 in UP-PGH, 28% completed treatment successfully and are undergoing surveillance, much lower than the international survival rate of 92%. A similar number of patients (23%) experienced early disease relapse and eventually died. Some abandoned treatment. Around one-third (26.6%) are completing chemotherapy.