Results of therapy in adult acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia: experience in Jerusalem, Israel, during 1975-1982.

78 previously untreated patients (aged 16-82 years) with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia received intensive chemotherapy for induction of remission. In 64 patients, the combination used consisted of daunomycin and cytosine arabinoside with or without 6-thioguanine. The overall remission rate was 59 and 87% for those who received what was considered as adequate therapy. Patients who achieved remission received maintenance and, in part, late intensification. The median duration of remission was 9 months. The median survival of the patients who attained remission was 24 months, compared to 15 months for the entire patient group and 3 months for patients who failed to achieve remission. Age had no effect on the rate and duration of the remission obtained but the median survival was significantly longer in patients below the age of 50 years.