[Improved results in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia - Results of study AML-BFM-93 in East Germany with comparisons to the preceding studies AML-I-82 and AML-II-87].
BACKGROUND
Three multicenter studies were conducted in East Germany on the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia in children. The latest of the three studies (AML-BFM-93-OST) was part of the common German study AML-BFM-93.


METHODS
The total number of registered patients was 262. The number and dosage of administered chemotherapeutic agents was elevated with each new study.


RESULTS
Both the remission rate (85 %) and the likelihood of an event free survival (52 % after 5 years) could be improved significantly in study AML-BFM-93-OST. The results of the common German study AML-BFM-93 were identical to those of the East German part AML-BFM-93-OST. Compared with international studies it was one of the most successful treatment strategies in children with AML. Patients who showed toxic side effects to heart, liver, kidneys, skin or nervous system during the chemotherapy had a significantly lower risk of relapse, once they overcame the intensive therapy. During the five years of study AML-BFM-93-OST, treatment results could be improved despite an unchanged therapy strategy. This may partly be due to the modernisations and restorations that were carried out in many East German hospitals in this time.


CONCLUSIONS
The therapy regimen of study AML-BFM-93 allowed a substantial improvement in the treatment of children with AML. Further intensification of chemotherapy should only be undertaken in accordance to the individual sensitivity of each patient.
Steinbach
D
D
Klinikum der FSU Jena, Klinik für Kinder-und Jugendmedizin Postfach, 07740 Jena, Germany. DanielSteinbach@hotmail.com
Dörffel
W
W
Eggers
G
G
Holfeld
E
E
Kluba
U
U
Krause
I
I
Lauterbach
I
I
Reiss
T
T
Rieske
K
K
Scharfe
V
V
Schumacher
R
R
Weigel
H
H
Weinmann
G
G
Zintl
F
F
Hermann
J
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005859:Germany, East / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Verbesserte Ergebnisse in der Therapie der akuten myeloischen Leukämie - Ergebnisse der Therapiestudie AML-BFM-93 in den neuen Bundesländern im Vergleich mit den Vorgängerstudien AML-I/82 und AML-II/87 der DDR.