- Patients must have a diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome negative ALL or Ph chromosome positive ALL by cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR); patients will be registered to receive treatment in either Cohort 1 (ph-) or Cohort 2 (Ph+ or Ph-like DSMKF) based on these results; diagnostic specimens must be submitted to the site's local Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-approved cytogenetics laboratory and results of tests (cytogenetics, FISH or PCR) must confirm Ph status prior to registration; if not already known, breakpoint cluster region- abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 (BCR-ABL) status (p190 or p210) must be evaluated in Ph-positive patients by PCR