Induction Chemotherapy with N(4)-behenoyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, Idarubicin and 6-Thioguanine in Childhood Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Jang, Pil Sang; Yoo, Keon Hee; Hong, Jung Youn; Shin, Hee Young; Ahn, Hyo Seop

Abstract

PURPOSE: Retrospective study was performed to evaluate the survivals, remission rate and complications of induction chemotherapy using N(4)-behenoyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (BH-AC), idarubicin and 6-thioguanine (6-TG) in newly diagnosed childhood acute myelogenous leukemia.
METHODS
From July 1994 to March 2000, 40 children (male 30, female 10) were enrolled in the study. From day 0 to 6 of induction, BH-AC 300 mg/m(2)/day was administered intravenously over 3 hours and from day 7 to 9, dosage was adjusted according to residual leukemic blasts in day 7 bone marrow aspirates. Idarubicin 10 mg/m(2)/day was administered intravenously over 15 minutes from day 0 to 2 and 6-TG 100 mg/m(2)/ day orally divided in two from day 0 to 6. Median age at diagnosis was 4.4 years (1 month~14.9 years) with a distribution according to the FAB classification of 1 M1, 10 M2, 13 M4, 5 M4E, 7 M5a, 3 M6 and 1 M7.
RESULTS
Complete remission (CR) rate was 82.5% (33/40) with one cycle of induction chemotherapy and 90.0% (36/40) with additional cycle (BH-AC and idarubicin). One patient achieved partial remission with one cycle and was lost to follow-up, and 3 died of septic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy during induction. Median time to CR from diagnosis was 28 days (25~68) and recovery from neutropenia (ANC> 1,000/muL) was achieved on median day 24 (21~44). All 40 patients had a fever during neutropenic period. Toxicities such as diarrhea, mucositis, nausea and vomiting were observed over half of the patients but tolerable and transient. Five-year overall, relapse- free and event-free survivals were 54.0%, 51.1% and 46.7%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
These data show that this regimen is superior to others with high remission rate and well tolerated.