Vinblastine, procarbazine, and cytosine arabinoside in combination for reinduction of childhood acute myelocytic leukemia
Ramsay, N.K.; Coccia, P.F.; Krivit, W.; Bloomfield, C.D.; Nesbit, M.E.
Cancer Treatment Reports 60(11): 1683-1685
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0361-5960 PMID: 1071427 Document Number: 106504
The development of severe bone marrow hypoplasia appears to be necessary to induce CR . Three failed previous myelosuppressive induction regimens which included ara-C and 5 relapsed while receiving maintenance therapy which included ara-C as 1 of the agents. The fact that 3 of 8 patients attained a CR when vinblastine and procarbazine were combined with ara-C demonstrates that this combination is effective in reinducing remission in recurrent childhood AML, even in patients unresponsive to ara-C given in other combinations. All 3 patients who attained a CR did so after 1 course of therapy. Administration of 1 or 2 more courses in the remaining 5 patients did not alter their bone marrow status. Three of 8 patients (37.5%) studied attained a CR and 5 of 8 (62.5%) responded with this combination of agents. Therapy was relatively nontoxic aside from the expected severe myelosuppression. In view of these preliminary results, further studies of this combination, for remission induction and maintenance of remission in childhood AML, appear warranted.