Treatment of acute leukemia with amsacrine and high-dose cytarabine.
We varied the number of doses of high-dose cytarabine (3 g/m2) given to patients with acute leukemia in relapse who were receiving therapeutic doses of amsacrine (600 mg/m2/course). Twelve patients received 13 courses of therapy. Two of six patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and one of three with acute lymphoblastic leukemia achieved remission. Dose-limiting toxicity (diarrhea) was seen in patients receiving more than five daily doses of high-dose cytarabine. We conclude that therapeutic doses of amsacrine can be combined safely with five daily doses of high-dose cytarabine and that a formal study is now required to assess the efficacy of this regimen.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000609:Aminoacridines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000677:Amsacrine; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced
D000609:Aminoacridines; D000677:Amsacrine; D003561:Cytarabine