Treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic crisis with chemotherapy incorporating vindesine-prednisolone.

Twenty-three patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in terminal transformation were treated with a regimen incorporating vindesine (a new derivative of vinblastine), prednisolone, and additional cytarabine. Of 21 patients in blastic crisis, complete remission (CR) was achieved in 15 (71.4%). All of five patients with lymphoid morphology and ten of 12 with myeloid morphology (83.3%) achieved CR, while none of four with monocytoid morphology achieved CR. Two patients in accelerated phase also attained CR. Our results compare favorably with those of other regimens in this refractory disorder and indicate that the regimens incorporating vindesine, prednisolone, and additional cytarabine may be recommended in the treatment of CML-blastic crisis with both lymphoid and myeloid morphology and accelerated phase of CML as well.