[Intensive induction and early consolidation of acute lymphoid leukemia in the adult. A pilot study of feasibility and long-term development].

Between April and December, 1982, a multicentre pilot study was conducted in 45 patients aged from 16 to 73 years suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia to test the feasibility of an intensive and short induction phase followed by an early consolidation phase. All patients received a 5-day course of induction chemotherapy with prednisone, vincristine, AraC and rubidazone, then a "triple A regimen" for consolidation, consisting of adriamycin, AraC and asparaginase. The complete remission rate was 73 per cent. Toxicity during induction was characterized by frequent infections, but the consolidation treatment was well tolerated. Thus, the sequence intensive induction-early consolidation proved feasible and acceptable. In terms of survival, 8 out of the 33 patients in remission are still alive and well after more than 4 1/2 years.