Inclusion Criteria:  Age≤18 years. Newly diagnosed B-ALL. No previous treatment. Signed informed consent in keeping with the policies of the hospital.  Exclusion Criteria:  History of other malignancies, except in situ carcinoma or malignancy treated with curative intent. Patients with active or uncontrollable infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV infection. Patients with uncontrolled autoimmune diseases or immune defects. Other protocol-defined Inclusion/Exclusion may apply.