title: Subcutaneous low dose arabinosyl-cytosine and oral idarubicin in high risk adult acute myelogenous leukemia.
abstract: In order to further explore low dose chemotherapy for high risk acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), low dose Ara-C and oral idarubicin (LAI) were given to 33 patients of 24-84 (median 66) years with AML after myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (12 patients), refractory AML (13 patients), and AML with contraindications to intensive chemotherapy (8 patients). Patients received 1 to 4 cycles of Ara-C 10 mg/m2 q 12 h s.c. inject. on days 1-14 and idarubicin 20 mg/m2/d orally days 3, 4, 5. Three Three patients attained complete remission, four patients partial remission and one patient minor response, whereas 11 patients succumbed to early mortality from hemorrhage (two patients) and/or infections (10 patients). Three of 13 patients with heavily pretreated refractory AML went into remission compared to 3/12 with AML after MDS and 1/8 with AML and contraindications against intensive treatment. Median duration of CR is 102 (70-488 +) days. Thirty-two of 33 patients developed grade 4 hematological toxicity requiring platelet transfusions. The non-hematologic toxicity was acceptable. LAI provides a standardized therapeutic option especially for heavily pretreated patients with AML.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik, Universität, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Kusnierz-Glaz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Normann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flasshove
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hiddemann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van de Loo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Büchner
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015255:Idarubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D015255:Idarubicin