Objective To search evidence in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome （Ph）-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia （ALL） for guiding chnical practice. Methods We searched MEDLINE （February, 1970～July, 2005 ） and SUMSEAILCH （till July, 2005 ）to identify systematic reviews（SIL）, randomized controlled trials（RCTs） and controlled clinical trials （CCTs） in the treatment of Ph-positive ALL. Results One RCT and 8 CCTs were identified. The results showed that Ph-positive ALL had a very poor prognosis . Chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation （BMT） were the two main ways to treat the disease. Outcome of conventional chemotherapy treatment for adults with the disease was poor. Outcome of treatment with hyper-CVAD and imatinib mesylate was better and BMT was the only way which could potentially cure the disease. Conclusions Treatment of Ph-positive ALL with hyper-CVAD and imatinib mesylate may induce higher remission rate and disease free survival rate. BMT is the best way to cure the disease.
