Intensive treatment of acute leukemia in adults 70 years of age and older.
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.
Walters
R S
RS
Kantarjian
H M
HM
Keating
M J
MJ
Estey
E H
EH
McCredie
K B
KB
Freireich
E J
EJ
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
D000677:Amsacrine; D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; C002205:zorubicin; D011241:Prednisone; D003630:Daunorubicin