Vitamin A Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vitamin A, including details on retinol, benefits, dosage, supplements, deficiency, information.

High-dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone in consolidation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Schlenk RF, Germing U, Hartmann F, Glasmacher A, Fischer JT, del Valle y Fuentes F, Götze K, Pralle H, Nerl C, Salwender H, Grimminger W, Petzer A, Hensel M, Benner A, Zick L, Döhner K, Fröhling S, Döhner H,

Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany. richard.schlenk@medizin.uni-ulm.de

The objective of our study was to evaluate high-dose cytarabine in consolidation therapy in patients with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Patients (age 16-60 years) received induction therapy according to the AIDA protocol (all-trans retinoic acid, idarubicin) followed by one cycle of ICE (idarubicin, cytarabine, etoposide) and two cycles of HAM (cytarabine 3 g/m(2) q12h, days 1-3; mitoxantrone 10 mg/m(2), days 2 and 3). From 1995 to 2003, 82 patients were enrolled. In total, 72 patients (88%) achieved a complete remission, and 10 patients (12%) died from early/hypoplastic death (ED/HD). A total of 71 patients received at least one cycle of HAM. Relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after 46 months were 83 and 82%, respectively. White blood cell count above 10.0 x 10(9)/l at diagnosis and additional chromosomal aberrations were unfavorable prognostic markers for OS, whereas no prognostic markers for RFS were identified including FLT3 mutations. In conclusion, high-dose cytarabine in consolidation therapy for patients with newly diagnosed APL is an effective treatment approach.

Published 24 May 2005 in Leukemia, 19(6): 978-83.
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