Etoposide in combination with cytarabine, doxorubicin, and 6-thioguanine for treatment of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia in a protocol adjusted for age.

Etoposide combined with cytarabine, doxorubicin, and 6-thioguanine was used to treat 34 patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) in an age-adjusted protocol, with patients greater than 50 years old receiving fewer days of therapy. Complete remissions (CR) occurred in 85% of all patients (29 of 34 patients). Patients less than or equal to 50 years of age achieved a 94% CR rate (17 of 18 patients) compared to a 75% CR rate (12 of 16 patients) in older patients. Duration of remission was less for those greater than 50 years of age. The remission rate for primary ANLL was 86% (19 of 22 patients) and for secondary or relapsed ANLL was 83% (ten of 12 patients). Thus, this is effective therapy for primary and secondary or relapsed ANLL. When the days of therapy are reduced for older patients' age, the remissions are fewer and less durable.