Continuous infusion of 5-azacytidine as induction for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in patients with previous exposure to 5-azacytidine.

5 children with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in relapse who had received 5-azacytidine as a part of previous multiagent chemotherapy received continuous infusion of 5-azacytidine, 150-200 mg/m2/day, for 5-7 days every 2 weeks. 2 achieved remission marrows with good peripheral counts (duration 1 and 3 months). 1 achieved a transient remission marrow but remained pancytopenic and 1 achieved reduction from 91% blasts to 18% blasts in the marrow. Principal toxicities were severe myelosuppression, diarrhea, and phlebitis.