Cytosine arabinoside, mitoxantrone, and etoposide in the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia
Harakati, M.S.
Saudi Medical Journal 20(4): 291-295
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-5284 PMID: 27614486 Document Number: 510749
Objectives: The study was conducted to examine the efficacy and tolerability of a three-drug regimen in newly diagnosed, previously untreated adult patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia. Methods: Forty-eight consecutive adult patients with newly diagnosed, previously untreated de novo acute myeloid leukemia were entered into this prospective single arm study. All patients received induction chemotherapy consisting of five consecutive days of each of the following three drugs: (i) cytosine arabinoside (100mg/m2/d), (ii) Mitoxantrone (10mg/m2/d), and (iii) etoposide (100 mg/m2/d). Patients entering into complete remission following one or two induction cycles went to receive one more cycle of identical therapy as consolidation therapy. Results: The complete remission rate was 79%. Seventy-six percent of patients achieving complete remission required one cycle while 24% required two cycles of induction therapy. There were six deaths during induction and five deaths during consolidation. The median duration of the complete remission was 11 months and the median survival for patients achieving complete remission was 15 months. Three patients had an event-free survival of 28-36 months. The regimen was well-tolerated with mild non-hematological toxicity. Conclusion: The combined use of cytosine arabinoside, mitoxantrone, and etoposide in the doses specified is both effective and tolerable as a therapeutic option for adult patients with newly diagnosed, previously untreated de novo acute myeloid leukemia.