OAP combination in the treatment of elderly leukaemic patients with preexisting severe internal disease.

Sixteen elderly patients affected by acute non lymphoblastic leukaemia (ANLL) with a preexisting severe internal disease were treated with a low systemic toxicity drugs combination: OAP (Vincristine, Cytarabine and Prednisone). Complete remission was achieved in 5 patients (31%) after 2 OAP courses. The mean duration of remission was 18 weeks. Six patients were resistant to the therapy. Six patients died during the treatment: 5 in induction phase and 1 in consolidation phase. Even though the duration of remission was short we retain that OAP combination may be still considered a good therapeutical approach in elderly ANLL patients with associated severe internal disease.