Age and treatment response in acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia.
Treatment of older acute leukemia patients has been the subject of recent debate. We treated 101 acute leukemia patients in a prospective randomized trial. Fifty-seven per cent of the population was over 50. Half were treated with a mild induction program (VAMP) and half with a vigorous program (CAT). The older patients who received vigorous treatment did better than those who received mild treatment. We suggest that patients over 50 should be regarded as a separate category in design of treatment protocols in order to further maximize the benefits of therapy.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D013866:Thioguanine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D013866:Thioguanine; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate