title: Mitozantrone and cytosine arabinoside as first-line therapy in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukaemia.
abstract: We have prospectively evaluated a regimen of mitozantrone and cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) as first-line therapy in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). One hundred and four patients with a median age of 68 (range 60-81) were studied, in whom 86 had de-novo AML, and 18 had preceding myelodysplasia or secondary AML. Complete remission was achieved in 64% of de-novo cases, in 28% of MDS/secondary cases, and in 58% overall. The incidence of early death within 28 d of chemotherapy was 11%. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 11 months with an actuarial DFS of 15% at 43 months. The median overall survival was 9 months with an actuarial survival of 10% at 44 months. The incidence of non-haematological toxicity was acceptably low, and usually of mild to moderate severity. Quality of life was improved, or unchanged, in 90% of responders. We conclude that mitozantrone and ara-C is an effective and well-tolerated regimen which produces high remission rates in elderly patients with AML.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Haematology, Manchester Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Liu Yin
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Gorst
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D008942:Mitoxantrone