Effect of Remission Induction Chemotherapy with AD(Cytosine Arabinoside, Daunorubicin) in Adult Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Kim, Sung Mok; Lee, Sang Yeop; Kim, Byeong Duk; Lee, Eun Jung; Lee, Kyeong Hee; Hyun, Myung Su

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The goal of acute myelogenous leukemia(AML) therapy is to obtain the complete remission(CR) and to improve disease-free survival. Advances in chemotherapy and supportive care provided significant improvement in CR rate up to 60~85% patients with AML.
METHODS
Forty two patients with previously untreated AML at Yeung Nam University Hospital from April 1985 through November 1996 were treated with AD(7-3) regimen for induction chemotherapy and followed by two courses of consolidation with AD(5-2) regimen. And the authors analyzed clinical factors related to the CR and overall survival.
RESULTS
Twenty-four of the 42 patients achieved CR, and median duration of remission in 24 patients achieved CR was 56 weeks(4~ 305 +weeks). Median duration of survival in all 42 cases was 46 weeks(2~340 + weeks), and in 24 cases achieved CR was 73 weeks(12~340 +weeks). Causes of induction failure included infection in 9 cases, bleeding in 3 cases and drug resistance in 6 cases. Among the potential prognostic variables including age, initial WBC count, performance status, and presence of Auer rods and infection at the time of diagnosis, none was statistically significantly related to the prognosis.
CONCLUSION
Further clinical trials for effective remission induction and postremission chemotherapy are necessary to overcome drug resistance and to increase the CR rate and duration.