title: Combination chemotherapy for children with acute lymphocytic leukemia who fail to respond to standard remission-induction therapy.
abstract: Short courses of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), cyclophosphamide, and L-asparaginase were given to seven children with newly diagnosed acute lymphocytic leukemia, who had failed to remit on standard remission induction therapy. These 4-day courses of Ara-C and cyclophophamide followed by 4 days of L-asparaginase were repeated at 3- to 4-week intervals for two or four courses. Complete remission occurred in six patients. The median duration of remission was 94+ days, on various maintenance regimens. The most serious side effect was neutropenia. This combination of these three drugs appears to be effective remission-induction therapy for children with ALL with unfavorable prognostic features.
mesh_terms: D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001215:Asparaginase