title: A randomized study of the efficacy of postconsolidation therapy in adult acute nonlymphocytic leukemia: a report of the Italian Cooperative Group GIMEMA.
abstract: The Italian Co-operative Group GIMEMA conducted a randomized trial in adult acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) to assess the role of postconsolidation treatment. Of 448 evaluable patients entered into the study, 305 (68%) achieved a complete remission after a standard induction with daunorubicin and cytosine arabinoside (3 + 7; 2 + 5). Those in remission after a consolidation therapy including 4 courses of daunorubicin, cytosine arabinoside, and 6-thioguanine (DAT) were allocated to one of three arms: no treatment, conventional maintenance, or intensive postconsolidation therapy. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 13 months, and the median survival was 14 months, with 26% surviving at 6.5 years. There was no difference in survival and in disease-free survival among the three postconsolidation arms. In conclusion our study, as others, suggests that the critical period of ANLL treatment is within the first 5-6 months.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biopathologia Umana, Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mandelli
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vegna
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Avvisati
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amadori
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spadea
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cacciola
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cantore
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Laurenzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fioritoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D013866:Thioguanine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D005047:Etoposide; D013866:Thioguanine; D003630:Daunorubicin