title: Comparison of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, high-dose cytarabine, and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation as postremission treatment in patients with de novo acute myelogenous leukemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postremission therapy is critical in maintaining complete remission (CR) in patients with de novo acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The aim of this trial was to compare allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), high-dose cytarabine (ara-C; HiDAC), and autologous SCT as postremission therapy in patients with de novo AML.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty patients age </= 60 years with previously untreated AML (non-M3) and a performance status score of </= 2 received induction therapy with 3 days of idarubicin and 7 days of ara-C (IA). Patients in CR received one course of HiDAC. Subsequently, patients age </= 50 years with available HLA-compatible donors were assigned to receive allogeneic SCT; patients with "favorable" cytogenetics received a second course of HiDAC; and all others were randomized to a second course of HiDAC or autologous SCT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The IA combination induced CR in 99 patients (82.5%). With a median follow-up of 43 months (range, 18-64 years), the 3-year survival and failure-free survival (FFS) rates were 47% and 45%, respectively. The factors associated with longer survival were those identified for CR (i.e., age and cytogenetics). Forty-nine patients (49%) received the assigned postremission therapy. Fifteen patients underwent allogeneic SCT. Nineteen patients underwent autologous SCT and 15 patients received a second course of HiDAC, after randomization. In the allogeneic SCT group, both the 3-year survival and the FFS rates were 73%. In the autologous SCT and HiDAC groups, the 3-year survival rates were 58% and 46%, respectively (P = 0.80), and the 3-year FFS rates were 42% and 33%, respectively (P = 0.83).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The three postremission treatment groups had comparable survival. Allogeneic SCT is associated with a prolonged FFS.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, National University of Athens, Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece. atsimber@mail.mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Apostolia-Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tsimberidou
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stavroyianni
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Viniou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papaioannou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tiniakou
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marinakis
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skandali
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sakellari
authors.forename: Xenophon
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yataganas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D016019:Survival Analysis; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine