title: Oral idarubicin as single-agent treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in poor-risk patients.
abstract: Oral idarubicin was given as single-agent treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in 18 poor-risk patients. They comprised nine previously untreated elderly patients, age range 69-86, and nine relapsed pretreated patients, age range 41-76. Overall, two patients achieved complete remission (including one with preceding refractory anemia with excess of blasts) and seven achieved partial responses. Dose-limiting toxic effects were diarrhea and sepsis. In this limited study, oral idarubicin at a dose of 20-25 mg/m2/day X 3 was a well-tolerated drug with potent antileukemic effects. The oral formulation deserves more widespread evaluation.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015255:Idarubicin; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015255:Idarubicin; D003630:Daunorubicin