A Study in Adults With Untreated Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients must have pathologically documented acute lymphoblastic leukemia, excluding mature B-cell ALL. * No prior therapy for leukemia with the following exceptions: * up to one week of steroids; * emergent leukapheresis; * emergency treatment for hyperleukocytosis with hydroxyurea; * cranial RT for CNS leukostasis (one dose only); * emergent radiation therapy to the mediastinum. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 to 2. * Between the ages of 18 to 50 years. Exclusion Criteria: * Uncontrolled active infection. * Pregnancy or nursing mothers. * Prior history of pancreatitis. * Prior history of a cerebrovascular accident or hemorrhage. * Evidence of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. * Active psychiatric or mental illness making informed consent or careful clinical follow-up unlikely. * The treating physician should consider all relevant medical and other considerations when deciding whether this protocol is appropriate for a particular patient.