title: Aggressive chemotherapy combined with G-CSF and maintenance therapy with interleukin-2 for patients with advanced myelodysplastic syndrome, subacute or secondary acute myeloid leukemia--initial results.
abstract: Aggressive chemotherapy of advanced myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) evolving from MDS, subacute AML and secondary AML has usually been associated with low complete remission (CR) rates, a high incidence of early death, and low disease-free survival. We therefore have initiated a phase-III trial of aggressive chemotherapy consisting of idarubicin, cytosine arabinoside, and VP-16 to improve the CR rate. Each chemotherapy cycle is followed by G-CSF to accelerate neutrophil recovery and to reduce the incidence of infections. Until now, 19 patients with high-risk AML have been entered. The CR rate is 47%, with only one death during induction. Patients achieving CR are randomized to receive either high-dose or low-dose interleukin-2 to eliminate residual leukemic cells and to prolong the duration of remission.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Hämatologie, Klinikum der Universität Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganser
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heil
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kolbe
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maschmeyer
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bergmann
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Mitrou
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heit
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heimpel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015255:Idarubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D003561:Cytarabine; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D005047:Etoposide; D015255:Idarubicin