ETP-ALL is a recently recognized high-risk subgroup and the optimal therapeutic approaches are poorly characterized. Based on the pediatric-inspired, PEG-L-asparaginase-intensified and MRD-directed PDT-ALL-2016 protocol, this open-label, one-arm, multi-site trial is aimed to evaluate the safety and effect of a novel oral histone deacetylase inhibitor chidamide for adult ETP-ALL/LBL in CHINA.

Early T-cell precursor (ETP) lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) is a neoplasm composed of cells committed to the T-cell lineage but with an unique immunophenotype indicating only limited early T differentiation. In the highly orchestrated development of T cell fate specification under physiological condition, the most immature early thymic progenitors (ETPs) retain multilineage potentials. ETP-ALL blasts have a characteristic immunophenotype, with reduced/absent expression of T-lymphoid markers CD1a, CD5, CD8; and positivity for at least one HSC and/or myeloid antigen CD34, CD117, HLA-DR, CD13, CD33, CD11b, CD65. Recent study shed light on the genetic landscape of adult ETP-ALL, which revealed that more than 40% adult ETP-ALL harbored histone modification mutations. Chidamide is a novel oral HDACi with promising activity in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Based on the pediatric-inspired, PEG-L-asparaginase-intensified and MRD-directed PDT-ALL-2016 protocol, this open-label, one-arm, multi-site trial is aimed to evaluate the safety and effect of a novel oral histone deacetylase inhibitor chidamide for adult ETP-ALL/LBL. HDACi chidamide at a dose of 10mg/day will be added to ETP-ALL group from induction therapy to consolidation therapy (total courses of chidamide treatment: 5 courses for allo-HSCT after Consolidation Module-3; 12 courses for patients non-allo-HSCT after Consolidation Module 1-9). Primary study endpoint of PDT-ETP-ALL is event-free survival of ETP-ALL group and secondary study endpoints are complete remission and MRD after induction, adverse event and overall survival of ETP-ALL group.

Pretreatment: Dexamethasone, -3 to 0d;

Induction:VCR: 1, 8, 15, 22; IDA: 1, 8; CTX: 1g/m2, 1, 8; PEG-asp: 2000-2500IU/m2, 1, 15; Dex: 1-24, chidamide: 10mg/d, po, qd.

MRD: d14, 24, 45, and pre-allo-HSCT.

VLCAM (MRD1/d14>1%): CTX, d25; AraC 2g/m2, q12h, d25, 26; 6-MP: 25-31, PEG-asp: 26; chidamide: 10mg/d, po, qd.

Consolidation Module:

CM-1: AraC 3g/m2, q12h, 1-2, Dex: 10mg/m2, 1-2, PEG-asp: 2, 6-MP: 1-7. IT: d1, chidamide: 10mg/d, po, qd.

CM-2: MTX 5g/m2, 1, Dex: 10mg/m2, 1-2, PEG-asp: 2; 6-MP: 1-7; IT: d1; chidamide: 10mg/d, po, qd.

CM-3: CTX 0.5g/m2, 1-3, PEG-asp: 2, Doxorubicin: 40mg/m2, 4, 6-MP: 1-7, IT: d1;chidamide: 10mg/d, po, qd.

Allo-HSCT: after CM-3 when donors available. Non-HSCT: finish CM 4-9 and POMP maintenance.

CM 4-6: repeat CM 1-3. Re-Induction: after CM-6. CM 7-9: repeat CM1-3.

Maintenance: CPOMP-chidamide 10mg/d, po, qd; Pred for 12 months; VCR for 12 months; MTX for 24 months; 6-MP for 24 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 14-55 years old;
• ETP-ALL newly diagnosed;
• signed written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women;
• History of pancreatitis;
• History of diabetes;
• History of active peptic ulcer disease in the past 6 months;
• History of arteriovenous thrombosis in the past 6 months;
• Severe active infection;
• Allergic to any drugs in PDT-ETP-ALL.