Treatment of acute myelocytic leukemia with a daunorubicin-cytarabine-6 thioguanine regimen without maintenance therapy.

The present study reports on the treatment of 44 patients with AML. 17 patients were male, 27 female. Mean age was 50.1 years. Treatment-regimen consisted of induction-therapy with daunorubicin 45 mg/m2 i.v. d 1-3, cytarabine 100 mg/m2 X 24 h continuous intravenous infusion (c.i.v.i.) d 1-7, 6 thioguanine 100 mg/m2 twice orally d 1-7. There were only two consolidation therapies with daunorubicin and cytarabine and no maintenance therapy. 30 patients (68%) achieved CR, 1 patient (2%) PR, 3 were non-responders (7%). There were 10 (23%) early deaths during or following induction therapy. Median disease-free survival was 6 months, median overall survival 7.5 months. We conclude, that the reported induction therapy is efficient though toxic. To improve long term results, consolidation and intensification therapy should be escalated.