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Intensive treatment of acute leukemia in adults 70 years of age and older
Author(s) -
Walters Ronald S.,
Kantarjian Hagop M.,
Keating Michael J.,
Estey Elihu H.,
McCredie Kenneth B.,
Freireich Emil J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19870715)60:2<149::aid-cncr2820600204>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - medicine , amsacrine , leukemia , acute leukemia , complete remission , cytarabine , gastroenterology , transaminase , chemotherapy , biochemistry , chemistry , etoposide , enzyme
The results of treatment for acute leukemia since 1973 in 87 patients aged 70 years or more are summarized. The overall complete remission rate was 27/78 (35%) in acute myelogenous leukemia and 5/9 (56%) in acute lymphocytic leukemia or acute undifferentiated leukemia for cytosine arabinoside combined with either anthracyclines (rubidazone or Adriamycin [doxorubicin]) or m‐AMSA (amsacrine). The remission duration was short with a median of 33 weeks, and the median overall survival was only 6 weeks. Those patients without identifiable infection, liver enlargement, and a serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase < 40 U/ml constituted a more favorable subgroup. Although the complete remission rate improved further research is needed to develop effective maintenance strategies.