CiproPAL (Ciprofloxacin Prophylaxis in Acute Leukaemia)

This is a multi-centre randomised trial of prophylactic ciprofloxacin (10mg/kg BD, enteral/IV) versus standard of care during the neutropenic period of induction (with an internal pilot study) in patients aged 1-17 years with de-novo ALL treated on ALLTogether-1. Exclusion criteria include: patients with Down syndrome (who already receive ciprofloxacin prophylaxis), contraindication to fluoroquinolones, non-consent to ALLTogether-1 or CiproPAL. AMR of colonising organisms will be assessed with stool or peri-rectal swab cultures performed at five timepoints within the first year. Longer term invasive infection AMR monitoring will include sensitivity testing of all organisms isolated in confirmed infection for the duration of ALLTogether-1.

The primary outcome is the rate of sterile site bacterial infections during induction, evaluated by intention to treat analysis. Secondary outcomes include rates of febrile episodes, febrile neutropenia, severe infection and infection-related death; rates of AMR; antibiotic exposure; secondary infections; and quinolone side effects. A model-based health economic analysis will be undertaken. Using a conservative effect estimate of 40% reduction in bacteraemia (i.e. a reduction from 15% to 9%) 1052 patients randomised 1:1 gives 85% power with a 5% 2-sided alpha.

Inclusion criteria

• Paediatric patients (1-17 years inclusive) with de-novo Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia treated on ALLTogether-1 in the UK in the first 5 days of therapy, up to 14 days is acceptable.
• Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Non-participants of the ALLTogether-1 trial
• Patients with Down syndrome who already receive ciprofloxacin prophylaxis
• Chronic active arthritis
• Other contraindication to fluoroquinolones