[Therapy-related acute leukemia: study of 23 pacients].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The growing use of antineoplastic treatments has led to an increase in the incidence of therapy-related leukemias (TRL). The objective was to describe the characteristics of TRL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-three cases of TRL were registered. Chemotherapeutic agents used for the first tumor, time interval, clinical and biological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of the TRL were analyzed.

RESULTS

Median age was 61 years. Cytotoxic agents used in previous neoplasm consisted of alkylating agents (17 patients), inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase II (14), antitubulin agents (12), radiotherapy (9, in 6 with radiotherapy) and antimetabolites (6). Median time from diagnosis of the first neoplasm to TRL was 3 years (range 1.2-15.8). Thirteen patients received intensive chemotherapy [with stem cell transplantation (SCT) in 3] and the other 10 received symptomatic treatment (median survival 3 years versus 0.079 years, P=0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, TRL were associated with exposure to alkylating agents, antitubulin agents and topoisomerase II inhibitors. Response to treatment and prognosis were poor, although chemotherapy and SCT may prolong survival.