title: Low-dose combination chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia in elderly patients: a novel approach.
abstract: Eighteen patients aged 60-84 years with acute myeloid leukemia were treated with low-dose combination chemotherapy comprising cytarabine, etoposide, and mitozantrone or 6-thioguanine; seven of these patients had a pre-existing myelodysplastic syndrome. Nine patients achieved a complete remission, and five had a partial remission. The duration of survival in these 14 responding patients has ranged from 2+ to 19+ months. Myelotoxicity occurred regularly, with time to recovery (neutrophils > or =0.5 x 10(9)/L, platelets > or =50 x 10(9)/L) from nadir being 10-14 days in 12 of the 14 patients. This novel approach with an overall response rate of 78% appears to be a simple and effective form of therapy for elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Haematology, St. George Hospital, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manoharan
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Kyle
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine