Vindesine-prednisone in the treatment of blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia.

Eight patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis were treated with a combination of vindesine and prednisone. Complete remission was achieved in three patients; partial remission was achieved in three. All six responders received maintenance treatment with hydroxyurea and 6-mercaptopurine. The median duration of survival was 9 months. Two patients had long-term survival: one survived 32 months and the other is alive after 30 months. These data suggest that vindesine-prednisone polychemotherapy might improve the prognosis of blast crisis in chronic myeloid leukemia.