title: Beneficial effects of hepatitis in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia.
abstract: Of 50 consecutive patients admitted with acute myelogenous leukemia, 30 developed complete remissions on antileukemic therapy. Nineteen of the 30 repeatedly had elevated serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) concentrations 3 to 14 weeks after the start of therapy. Patients with SGOT elevations had a significantly greater chance of remission and a longer survival (76 +/- 11 weeks) than those with normal SGOT levels (39 +/- 5 weeks), suggesting that hepatitis may have a beneficial effect in acute myelogenous leukemia. The hepatitis was mild in all patients. Review of patients at this institution alive 2 years after the diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia showed that they repeatedly had elevated SGOT levels. We believe that most had non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis, which may have a beneficial effect on the leukemia or serve as an indicator of patients who have greater immunocompetence and thus a better prognosis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases