Dose-Adjusted EPOCH With or Without Rituximab Plus Ponatinib for the Treatment of Newly-Diagnosed Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma

This phase II trial tests the effect of dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin (DA-EPOCH) with or without rituximab plus ponatinib in treating patients newly diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma (ALL). Etoposide is in a class of medications known as podophyllotoxin derivatives. It blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair and may kill cancer cells. Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It is used to reduce inflammation and lower the body's immune response to help lessen the side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Vincristine is in a class of medications called vinca alkaloids. It works by stopping cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Cyclophosphamide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by damaging the cell's DNA and may kill cancer cells. It may also lower the body's immune response. Doxorubicin is a drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Doxorubicin comes from the bacterium Streptomyces peucetius. It damages DNA and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of anthracycline antitumor antibiotic. DA-EPOCH involves a longer exposure time to doxorubicin, vincristine and etoposide compared to a higher concentration over a shorter time which may provide better tumor response. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody. It binds to a protein called CD20, which is found on B cells (a type of white blood cell) and some types of cancer cells. This may help the immune system kill cancer cells. Ponatinib blocks BCR::ABL1 and other proteins, which may help keep cancer cells from growing and may kill them. It may also prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Ponatinib is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a type of antiangiogenesis agent. Giving DA-EPOCH with or without rituximab plus ponatinib may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in treating patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL.