title: Intensive treatment of acute leukemia in adults 70 years of age and older.
abstract: The results of treatment for acute leukemia since 1973 in 87 patients aged 70 years or more are summarized. The overall complete remission rate was 27/78 (35%) in acute myelogenous leukemia and 5/9 (56%) in acute lymphocytic leukemia or acute undifferentiated leukemia for cytosine arabinoside combined with either anthracyclines (rubidazone or Adriamycin [doxorubicin]) or m-AMSA (amsacrine). The remission duration was short with a median of 33 weeks, and the median overall survival was only 6 weeks. Those patients without identifiable infection, liver enlargement, and a serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase less than or equal to 40 U/ml constituted a more favorable subgroup. Although the complete remission rate improved further research is needed to develop effective maintenance strategies.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kantarjian
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Keating
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Estey
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: McCredie
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Freireich
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000677:Amsacrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000677:Amsacrine; D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; C002205:zorubicin; D011241:Prednisone; D003630:Daunorubicin