Primary therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia: results of amsacrine- and daunorubicin-based therapy.

Remission rates for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have improved with the use of anthracyclines and proper management of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. In a prospective randomized trial of chemotherapy in patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia, there were 16 patients with APL. All 7 of the patients receiving the amsacrine-containing regimen and 5 of 9 receiving the daunorubicin-containing regimen achieved a remission. All patients, except 2 of the 3 who underwent bone marrow transplantation, remain alive and in remission from 1+ to 25+ mo. Amsacrine is an effective replacement for daunorubicin in the treatment of APL, and its use does not compromise the favorable remission duration characteristic of APL.