Scientific Comments

A step towards the cure of Burkitt’s lymphoma in developing countries The outcome of sporadic Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) in high-income countries may be considered excellent due to its overall cure rate of roughly 90%(1-4). Three major US and European childhood cancer groups [Lymphoma malignancy B-cell (LMB), Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster (BFM), Children’s Cancer Group/Children Oncology Group (CCG/COG)] contributed to the most effective treatment strategies to date. Nevertheless, the treatment has pronounced toxic effects such as long periods of mucositis, hematological toxic effects as well as the potential risk of severe infection. Assuredly, the improvement of supportive care has contributed to these better outcomes(1-4). On the other hand, in low-income countries, therapeutic schemes need to be modified in accordance with local conditions in order to avoid unacceptable treatment-related mortality(5). In this issue Cunha et al.(6) present a retrospective study of 50 cases of BL in children and adolescents who were treated with chemotherapy regimens containing intermediate methotrexate doses (500 mg/m2). The probability of overall survival was 73 % (median follow-up of 35 months). The data show a favorable step with improvement in the results of BL treatment i