Cognitive, Motor, and Quality of Life Outcomes in Childhood ALL Survivors: A Comparative Study of Moscow-Berlin Protocols and Implications for Care

Alena Deviaterikova; Elena Zhukovskaya; Elena Glebova; Anastasiia Shcheglova; Valeriia Shapovalova; Alexander Karelin; Tatiana Nikitina; Tatiana Ionova; Vera Tochennikova

doi:10.31557/APJCC.2026.11.6.841

Authors

Alena Deviaterikova RUDNResearch Institute for Brain Development and Peak Performance, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russia. Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, 117997, Moscow, Russia.
Elena Zhukovskaya Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, 117997, Moscow, Russia.
Elena Glebova Research Institute for Brain Development and Peak Performance, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russia. Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, 117997, Moscow, Russia.
Anastasiia Shcheglova Research Institute for Brain Development and Peak Performance, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russia.
Valeriia Shapovalova
Alexander Karelin Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, 117997, Moscow, Russia.
Tatiana Nikitina Quality of Life Monitoring Unit, Clinic of High Medical Technologies named after N. I. Pirogov, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Tatiana Ionova Quality of Life Monitoring Unit, Clinic of High Medical Technologies named after N. I. Pirogov, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Vera Tochennikova Research Institute for Brain Development and Peak Performance, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCC.2026.11.6.841

Keywords:

childhood cancer survivors, ALL-MB-2008, ALL-MB-2015, quality of life, cognitive outcomes, motor function

Abstract

Introduction: To compare cognitive and motor abilities, and quality of life among children treated with the Moscow-Berlin protocols for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL-MB-2008 and ALL-MB-2015).

Materials and Methods: A total of 188 children aged 7–17 years (112 treated with ALL-MB-2008 and 76 with ALL-MB-2015) were assessed at the Medical Rehabilitation Scientific Center “Russkoye Pole,” a branch of the National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology named after Dmitry Rogachev, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Cognitive and motor functions were evaluated using standardized neuropsychological tests. Quality of life was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and the SF-36 Health Survey.

Results: Intermediate-risk group children treated with ALL-MB-2008 had worse performance in coding (p<0.05) and motor dexterity (p<0.01). High-dose methotrexate and cranial irradiation were associated with differences in PedsQL scores. Risk-group differences demonstrated small-to-moderate effect sizes, whereas treatment exposure effects were trivial. No significant protocol-based differences were found in cognitive or HRQoL outcomes.

Conclusion: While protocol changes did not improve overall outcomes, risk- and gender-specific patterns highlight critical targets for survivorship care, particularly motor rehabilitation for intermediate-risk patients and psychosocial support for families of male survivors.