5-azactidine and zorubicin for patients with previously treated acute nonlymphocytic leukemia: a Cancer and Leukemia Group B pilot study.
Twenty-nine adults with advanced acute nonlymphocytic leukemia were treated with an intensive chemotherapy program consisting of 5-azacitidine and zorubicin. Overall, eight patients (28%) achieved a complete remission. Although only one of 19 patients with refractory leukemia responded, seven of ten patients who were treated immediately following relapse from a prior remission achieved another complete remission. The duration of remission ranged from 5 to 33 weeks (median, 14). Treatment resulted in severe toxic reactions including myelosuppression, renal tubular dysfunction, and elevations in liver enzymes. In addition, each of the 15 patients who died of treatment-associated complications had a severe infection. This combination of 5-azacitidine and zorubicin is relatively ineffective for truly refractory leukemia, but it may be a useful alternative following relapse.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects
D001374:Azacitidine; C002205:zorubicin; D003630:Daunorubicin