Attenuated high-dose cytosine arabinoside in the treatment of the elderly patient with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Pilot Study

• Published in: American journal of clinical oncology Vol. 12; no. 3; p. 201
• Main Authors: Kahn, S B, Ebrahim, K, Cassileth, P, Bennett, J M, Knospe, W H, O'Connell, M J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.1989
• Subjects: Aged; Cytarabine - administration & dosage; Cytarabine - adverse effects; Cytarabine - therapeutic use; Drug Administration Schedule; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - drug therapy; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - mortality; Pilot Projects; Remission Induction
• ISSN: 0277-3732
• DOI: 10.1097/00000421-198906000-00004

Seventeen elderly patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (EP-ANLL) were treated with cytarabine, either 1.5 g/m2 or 2.0 g/m2 q 12 h for 4 days [attenuated high-dose ARA-C (HDARAC)]. One complete and one partial response was seen in 15 evaluable cases. Toxicity, evaluated in all 17 patients, was severe, with 47% showing a variety of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group grade 3, 4, or 5 toxicities. Forty-one percent of all patients died within 33 days of initiating treatment. We conclude that attenuated HDARAC is ineffective in inducing remission and is very toxic in the EP-ANLL.