Chemoimmunotherapy of adult acute leukemia.
Sixty-two adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia were treated with a chemotherapy program of Adriamycin, Cytosine Arabinoside (Ara-C), vincristine, and prednisone (Ad-OAP). Immunotherapy with BCG by scarification was administered before and/or during remission induction therapy. Maintenance chemoimmunotherapy consisted of Ara-C, vincristine, prednisone, and BCG. Patients still in remission after 12 months received late intensification chemotherapy for three courses before discontinuing chemotherapy. Forty-four (71%) patients achieved a complete remission (CR). The CR rate for patients less than 50 years of age ws 84% (32/38). Age was strongly predictive for response and survival. An additional 14 patients with acute lymphoid leukemia were treated with the same program; ten patients responded, all have relapsed and died. Nine patients with AML remain alive 4 1/2-6+ years from diagnosis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001500:BCG Vaccine