CAG方案治疗复发性急性髓细胞白血病疗效观察

目的:探讨CAG方案对复发性急性髓细胞白血病(AML)的临床疗效和不良反应.方法:选择在我院治疗的复发AML 46例,复发后20例选用CAG方案:阿克拉霉素(ACR)10～14 mg·m-2·d-1 (第1～4天,10～14天),静脉滴注;阿糖胞苷(Ara-C)10 mg·m-2·d-1 q12h(第1～14天),皮下注射;粒细胞集落刺激因子(G-CSF)200 μg·m-2·d-1(第1～14天),皮下注射.26例选用对照方案:①DAH:柔红霉素40 mg·m-2·d-1(第1～3天);Ara-c 200 mg·m-2·d-1(第1～7天),高三尖杉酯碱(HHT)3～4 mg·m-2·d-1(第1～7天);②MAE:米托蒽醌(Mito)10 mg·m-2·d-1(第1～3天),Ara-c 200 mg·m-2·d-1(第1～7天),依托泊甙(VP-16)60 mg·m-2·d-1(第1～5天).结果:强化疗组26例,经上述化疗1个疗程后6例获得完全缓解(CR),部分缓解(PR)10例,未缓解(NR)10例.PR和NR 20例患者中6例一般情况差,未能继续强化疗,换用CAG方案;14例予第2个疗强化疗,CR 4例,NR 10例;2疗程CR共10例(38.4%).26例CAG组第1个疗程CR 12例,PR 10例,NR 4例.PR和NR 14例予以CAG第2个疗程治疗,CR 8例,PR 2例,NR 4例,2疗程CR共18例(69.2%).2组CR率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).CAG组骨髓抑制不明显,不良反应也低.结论:复发AML治疗中,CAG方案是较对照组方案更为有效的且不良应低的治疗方法.     

标准剂量去甲氧柔红霉素联合阿糖胞苷治疗急性髓细胞白血病

目的:探讨标准剂量的去甲氧柔红霉素(IDA)联合阿糖胞苷(Ara-C)治疗急性髓细胞白血病(AML)的疗效和不良反应。方法:14例AML患者,年龄13～70岁(中位年龄36岁),男8例,女6例。初治AML10例,难治、复发AML4例。所有患者均在治疗前进行染色体核型分析,4例染色体异常。诱导方案为IDA 12 mg·m-2·d-1,第1～3天,Ara-C 100 mg·m-2·d-1,持续静脉点滴,第1～7天。结果:1个疗程结束后总有效率92．9％(13／14),完全缓解率85．7％(12／14),其中初治AML的CR率为90．0％(9／10),复发、难治AML的CR率为75．0％(3／4),3例染色体异常患者达细胞遗传学缓解,未发生早期死亡。化疗的不良反应主要为骨髓抑制和粒细胞缺乏所致感染,未见严重的非造血系统不良反应。结论:标准剂量的IDA联合Ara-C 24 h持续静脉点滴,为初治、复发难治AML的高效、安全的方案。     

粒细胞集落刺激因子的应用对急性白血病患者预后的影响

目的观察粒细胞集落刺激因子(GCSF)的应用对急性白血病(AL)患者预后的可能影响。方法回顾性研究171例可评价AL患者。分别采用χ2、Cox回归、KaplanMeier等方法分析1疗程完全缓解(CR)率、总CR率、治疗有效率、化疗后WBC减少时间、CR期、生存期及其影响因素;采用等级相关分析GCSF用量与CR期及生存期的关系。急性髓系白血病(AML)患者交替采用以柔红霉素 阿糖胞苷(DA)或高三尖杉酯碱 阿糖胞苷(HA)或米托蒽醌 阿糖胞苷(MA)为主的方案进行诱导缓解和缓解后治疗。急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)患者交替采用以长春新碱 柔红霉素 泼尼松(VDP)或长春新碱 阿霉素 泼尼松(VAP)或长春新碱 米托蒽醌 泼尼松(VMP)或环磷酰胺 长春新碱 柔红霉素 泼尼松(CODP)为主的方案进行诱导缓解和缓解后治疗。用药组均在患者WBC<1.0×109/L时予以重组人GCSF(rhGCSF)(1.5～6.0μg·kg-1·d-1),一般WBC达2.5×109/L时停用。结果(1)AL患者化疗后应用GCSF可使化疗后WBC减少时间明显缩短;但不影响患者的1疗程CR率、CR率和治疗有效率;(2)使用GCSF不影响ALL患者CR期,但明显缩短AML患者CR期;(3)使用GCSF不影响ALL患者的生存期,但缩短AML患者的生存期;(4)尚未发现使用GCSF的AML患者中因子用量多少与CR期及生存期存在相关关系。结论AML患者必须非常慎用GCSF。     

HA预激方案治疗老年急性髓系白血病的疗效观察

目的:探索含HA预激方案治疗老年急性髓系白血病(AML)的疗效。方法:11例老年AML患者(治疗组)予高三尖杉酯碱(HHT)1 mg·m-2·d-1,静脉滴注,第1-14天;阿糖胞苷(Ara-C)10 mg·m-2·12 h-1,皮下注射,第1-14天;粒细胞集落刺激因子(G-GSF)200μg·m-2·d-1,皮下注射,第1天注射Ara-C之前开始使用,至最后1次Ara-C之前停用。如果中性粒细胞>10×109/L,G-GSF用量减半,>20×109／L,则暂停用G-CSF,但不停化疗,待白细胞回落后再用。如果1个疗程未获完全缓解(CR),则进行第2个疗程,方案同第1疗程。如果2个疗程未获缓解,则视为治疗无效。对照组予标准DA方案治疗。结果:11例患者中第1个疗程CR 7例,第2个疗程CR 1例,1例第2疗程达部分缓解,CR率72．7％,有效率81.8％。结论:小剂量HA与G- CSF预激方案治疗老年AML有较高的疗效且不良反应少。     

FLAG方案再诱导化疗急性髓细胞白血病临床观察

目的:初步探讨氟达拉滨(FDR)、高剂量阿糖胞苷(Ara-C)和粒细胞集落刺激因子(G-CSF)即FLAG方案在急性髓细胞白血病(AML)再诱导化疗中的疗效及不良反应。方法:12例经标准HA、DA、MA或IA方案化疗1疗程后未达完全缓解(CR)、骨髓原始细胞下降低于60%的AML患者,予FLAG方案再诱导化疗,即FDR30mg.m-2.d-1静脉滴注,d1～5;Ara-C1g/m2,静脉滴注,每12h1次,d1～5;G-CSF300μg/d皮下注射,第0天开始至白细胞恢复正常。结果:9例(75%)患者获得CR,3例(25%)患者获得部分缓解(PR)。主要不良反应为骨髓抑制,非血液学不良反应不明显。结论:FLAG方案再诱导化疗AML耐受性较好,有效率较高,不良反应可耐受。     

减低剂量的地西他滨联合CAG方案治疗中高危骨髓增生异常综合征及难治性白血病的疗效

目的观察减低剂量的地西他滨联合CAG方案治疗中高危骨髓增生异常综合征(MDS)及难治性白血病的疗效和安全性。方法7例中高危MDS及难治性白血病患者应用减低剂量的地西他滨联合CAG方案治疗1个疗程〔地西他滨15 mg·m-2·d-1,静脉滴注第1~3天,Ara-C10 mg/m2,静脉滴注,1次/12 h;ACR 5 mg·m-2·d-1,静脉滴注,第1~7天;集落刺激因子(G-CSF)200μg·m-2·d-1,皮下注射,第1~12天〕,观察患者疗效及不良反应。结果 5例获完全缓解,1例获血液学进步,总有效率为85.7%。1例疾病进展,最后因急性腹膜炎死亡。结论减低剂量的地西他滨联合CAG方案治疗MDS及难治性白血病有较好的疗效及安全性。     

CLAG方案治疗复发、难治急性髓系白血病疗效、安全性分析及随访

目的:观察CLAG方案(克拉屈滨+阿糖胞苷+粒细胞集落刺激因子)治疗难治、复发急性髓系白血病(acute myeloid leukemia,AML)的疗效、安全性和不良反应。方法 :回顾性分析2015年7月至2018年1月我院收治的使用CLAG方案±地西他滨治疗的7例难治、复发AML患者,观察其疗效和不良反应,并进行随访。收集国内关于CLAG方案治疗复发、难治AML的相关文献,进行综合分析。结果:7例患者经CLAG方案±地西他滨化学治疗(化疗)1个疗程后, 4例完全缓解(complete remission,CR),3例未缓解(non-remission,NR)。主要不良反应为骨髓抑制(7例),血流感染、肠道感染和消化道出血各1例,无化疗相关死亡。4例CR与2例NR患者行异基因造血干细胞移植(allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,allo-HSCT)。最终选入5篇文献进行分析,CR率在34.6%～78.8%之间,加上本研究7例患者共104例, CR患者为61例。结论:CLAG方案对难治、复发AML有效,化疗所致骨髓抑制较重,但安全性良好,患者可耐受。一旦获得CR,尽快行allo-HSCT以延长生存期。     

氟达拉滨为主方案治疗难治复发急性白血病

目的　观察氟达拉滨 (Flu)、阿糖胞苷 (Ara C)及粒细胞集落刺激因子 (G CSF) (FLAG)方案对难治复发急性白血病 (AL)的疗效 ,观察骨髓抑制时间以及不良反应。方法　Flu 30mg·m-2 ·d-1,3～ 5d ;Ara C 1.5g·m-2 ·d-1,5d ;在WBC <1× 10 9/L时用G CSF 5 μg·kg-1·d-1直至WBC >1×10 9/L。治疗 7例 (10例次 )难治复发AL。结果　 10例次中有 9例次有效 ,无效 1例 ,早期死亡 1例。中性粒细胞最低时间在开始用药后 5～ 12d ,持续时间 5～ 34d ,血小板最低时间在开始用药后 5～ 18d ,持续时间 5～ 36d。不良反应包括ALT升高、发热、腹泻。结论　FLAG方案治疗难治复发AL疗效显著 ,为患者进行造血干细胞移植赢得了时机。     

Clinical research of high-risk and refractory acute myeloid leukemia with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation therapy

目的 探讨异基因造血干细胞移植( allo- HSCT)治疗高危难治急性髓系白血病(AML)的疗效和移植时机.方法 选取allo-HSCT治疗的AML患者47例,其中高危AML 17例,难治AML20例,骨髓增生异常综合征(MDS)转AML10例.第1次完全缓解期(CR1 )23例,第2次完全缓解期(CR2)11例,未缓解进展期(NR)13例.接受同胞供者骨髓和(或)外周血干细胞移植16例,非血缘脐血移植31例.所有患者均采用清髓性预处理方案,环孢素联合霉酚酸酯预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD).结果 47例患者46例(97.9％)获得植入,中性粒细胞绝对计数≥0.5×109/L和血小板≥20×109/L的中位时间分别为14.5(10 ～ 36)天和26(12-90)天.16例发生急性GVHD(34.8％),Ⅲ度以上4例.在可评估的39例患者中,10例出现慢性GVHD( 25.6％),复发6例(12.8％),移植相关死亡12例(25.5％),32例(68.1％)患者存活.高危难治AML患者CR1、CR2、NR期移植生存率分别为75.5％、72.7％和40.0％.MDS转AML患者CR和NR期移植生存率分别为0％和75.0％.结论 allo-HSCT有助于提高高危难治AML疗效,降低复发率,提高生存率,且最好在首次缓解期进行移植.对于MDS转AML患者可立即行allo-HSCT,无需等待化疗达完全缓解.     

预激方案对老年急性髓性白血病的诱导作用

目的:评价预激方案小剂量阿克拉霉素,阿糖胞苷及GCSF在老年急性髓性白血病(AML)诱导治疗作用。方法:14例老年AML患者应用阿克拉霉素10～20mg/d,静脉滴注7d;阿糖胞苷10～20mg/次q12h,皮下注射连用14d;GCSF150～300μg/d,至WBC恢复到2×109/L,进行诱导化疗。结果:14例患者均可耐受化疗,10例获得了完全缓解,缓解率为71%,不良反应轻,患者无严重感染发生。结论:小剂量阿克拉霉素、阿糖胞苷及GCSF可作为老年AML患者诱导治疗方案,其疗效好,且不良反应轻。     

A multicenter,open, non-comparative,phase II study of the combination of cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine), cytarabine,and G-CSF as induction therapy in refractory acute myeloid leukemia - a report of the Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG)

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, 2-CdA), cytarabine (Ara-C), and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) (CLAG) regimen in refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the multicenter phase II study. METHODS: The induction chemotherapy consisted of 2-CdA 5 mg/m2, Ara-C2 g/m2, and G-CSF. In the case of partial remission (PR), a second CLAG was administered. Patients in complete remission (CR) received two consolidation courses based on HD Ara-C, mitoxantrone or idarubicine, with or without 2-CdA. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients from 11 centers were registered; 50 primary resistant and eight early relapsed (CR1 < 6 months). CR was achieved in 29 (50%) patients, 19 (33%) were refractory, and 10 (17%) died early. Forty of 50 primary resistant patients received daunorubicin (DNR) and Ara-C as the first-line induction therapy (DA-7), 10 received additional 2-CdA (DAC-7). The CR rates after CLAG were 58% and 10%, respectively in each group (P = 0.015). Five of six patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/AML achieved CR. Hematologic toxicity was the most prominent toxicity of this regimen. The overall survival (OS, 1 yr) for the 58 patients as a whole, and the 29 patients in CR were 42% and 65%, respectively. Disease-free survival (DFS, 1 yr) was 29%. Only first-line induction treatment with DA-7 significantly influenced the probability of CR after CLAG. None of the analyzed factors significantly influenced DFS and OS. CONCLUSION: CLAG regimen has significant anti-leukemic activity and an acceptable toxicity in refractory AML. The addition of 2-CdA to the first-line induction treatment may worsen the results of salvage with CLAG. The high CR rate in patients with MDS preceding AML deserves further observation.     

Clofarabine with high dose cytarabine and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) priming for relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukaemia

This phase I/II study was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose, toxicity, and efficacy of clofarabine in combination with high dose cytarabine and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) priming (GCLAC), in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Dose escalation of clofarabine occurred without dose-limiting toxicity, so most patients were treated at the maximum dose, 25 mg/m(2) per day with cytarabine 2 g/m(2) per day, each for 5 d, and G-CSF 5 μg/kg, beginning the day before chemotherapy and continuing daily until neutrophil recovery. The complete remission (CR) rate among the 46 evaluable patients was 46% (95% confidence interval [CI] 31-61%) and the CR + CR but with a platelet count <100 × 10(9)/l rate was 61% (95% CI 45-75%). Multivariate analysis showed that responses to GCLAC were independent of age, cytogenetic risk category, and number of prior salvage regimens. GCLAC is highly active in relapsed and refractory AML and warrants prospective comparison to other regimens, as well as study in untreated patients.     

Efficacy and safety of CHG regimen (low-dose cytarabine,homoharringtonine with G-CSF priming) as induction chemotherapy for elderly patients with high-risk MDS or AML transformed from MDS

Background  

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of CHG regimen (low-dose cytarabine, homoharringtonine with G-CSF priming) as an induction chemotherapy for elderly patients with high-risk MDS or acute myeloid leukemia transformed from MDS (MDS–AML).     

Combination chemotherapy with low-dose cytarabine, homoharringtonine, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor priming in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia

As sensitization of leukemic cells with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-csf) can enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a pilot study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of G-csf priming combined with low-dose chemotherapy in patients with relapsed and refractory AML. The regimen, G-HA, consisted of cytarabine 7.5 mg/m2/12 hr by subcutaneous injection, days 1-14, homoharringtonine 1.5 mg/m2/day by intravenous continuous infusion, days 1-14, and G-csf 150 microg/m2/day by subcutaneous injection, days 0-14. Thirty-six AML patients were enrolled, 23 refractory and 13 relapsed. Eighteen patients (50%, 95% confidence interval: 33-67%) achieved complete remission (CR) with a median CR duration of 7.2 months, and two elderly patients continued a regimen of maintenance therapy and remained in remission for 26.3 and 14.1 months, respectively, as of last follow-up. Eight patients (22%) experienced neutropenia (median duration: 6 days; range: 2-22 days). Thirteen of the 36 (36%) developed severe infections. Grade 1-2 nonhematologic toxicities were documented, including nausea and vomiting (20%), liver function abnormality (6%), and heart function abnormality (6%). No central nervous system and kidney toxicity was observed. The G-HA regimen is effective in remission induction for refractory and relapsed AML patients and well tolerated in maintenance therapy in some subgroups of elderly patients. Further studies are necessary to elucidate optimum dose and schedule for this regimen to enhance the treatment efficacy of relapsed or refractory AML patients.     

Favorable effect of priming with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in remission induction of acute myeloid leukemia restricted to dose escalation of cytarabine

The clinical value of chemotherapy sensitization of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with G-CSF priming has remained controversial. Cytarabine is a key constituent of remission induction chemotherapy. The effect of G-CSF priming has not been investigated in relationship with variable dose levels of cytarabine. We randomized 917 AML patients to receive G-CSF (456 patients) or no G-CSF (461 patients) at the days of chemotherapy. In the initial part of the study, 406 patients were also randomized between 2 cytarabine regimens comparing conventional-dose (199 patients) versus escalated-dose (207 patients) cytarabine in cycles 1 and 2. We found that patients after induction chemotherapy plus G-CSF had similar overall survival (43% vs 40%, P = .88), event-free survival (37% vs 31%, P = .29), and relapse rates (34% vs 36%, P = .77) at 5 years as those not receiving G-CSF. However, patients treated with the escalated-dose cytarabine regimen benefited from G-CSF priming, with improved event-free survival (P = .01) and overall survival (P = .003), compared with patients without G-CSF undergoing escalated-dose cytarabine treatment. A significant survival advantage of sensitizing AML for chemotherapy with G-CSF was not apparent in the entire study group, but it was seen in patients treated with escalated-dose cytarabine during remission induction. The HOVON-42 study is registered under The Netherlands Trial Registry (www.trialregister.nl) as #NTR230.     

Good and poor CD34+ cells mobilization in acute leukemia: analysis of factors affecting the yield of progenitor cells

Summary:The factors possibly affecting the collection of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were evaluated in 104 de novo acute leukemia patients (66 myeloid and 38 lymphoblastic leukemias) in first cytological complete remission (CR); all patients achieved CR after first-line induction chemotherapy. The acute myeloid leukemia patients (AML) were given consolidation-mobilization chemotherapy with cytarabine, and daunoblastin or mitoxantrone or idarubicin; the acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients (ALL) were given consolidation-mobilization chemotherapy with cytarabine and etoposide. In all patients, the collection of PBSC was performed during recovery after giving consolidation chemotherapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Two main groups were considered according to the CD34+ cells x 10(6)/kg b.w. collected, that is, poor mobilizers (PM), with a collection of <2 x 10(6)/kg and good mobilizers, with a collection of >2 x 10(6)/kg. Of 104 patients, 27 (25.9%) were PM; 20/27 had AML and 7/27 had ALL. At multivariate analysis, a lower CD34+ cells count premobilization chemotherapy (CD34 steady state), the presence of FUO (fever of unknown origin) or infection, and a lower number of CD34+ cells on the first day of collection correlated with poor mobilization. These results may enable early recognition of patients who may have poor mobilization, and aid selection of patients for different mobilization regimens.     

Phase I trial with escalating doses of idarubicin and multidrug resistance reversal by short-course cyclosporin A, sequential high-dose cytosine arabinoside, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for adult patients with refractory acute leukemia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES. Patients with refractory acute myeloid or lymphoid leukemia (AML, ALL) were treated with a high-dose regimen comprising idarubicin (IDR) plus short-course cyclosporin A (CsA) as multidrug resistance type-1 (MDR1) blocking agent. The principal aim was to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of IDR, which is reported to be a less MDR1-sensitive anthracycline. The short CsA infusion was patterned after the results of a previous in vitro study. DESIGN AND METHODS. This was a phase I trial, in which eligible patients received high-dose cytarabine (HDAC) 3 g/m(2)/bd on days 1, 2 and 8, 9, and IDR 12.5-20 mg/m(2)/d on days 3 and 10, with increments of 2.5 mg/m(2)/d from the baseline per treatment group. Intravenous CsA infusion started 4 hours before IDR and lasted 12 hours. Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was added from day 11. IDR MTD was evaluated through analysis of regimen-related toxicity (RRT). RESULTS. Eighteen patients were treated (16 AML, 2 ALL; MDR1+: 8/8 studied). Overall response rate was 61%. Toxicity was severe but manageable up to an IDR dose of 17.5 mg/m(2)/d, while grade 4 RRT developed with IDR 20 mg/m(2)/d. High-grade toxicity, not strictly regimen-related, was sometimes observed at lower IDR concentrations in patients with unresolved complications from prior extensive treatments. In keeping, the complete response (CR) rate was 92% (11/12) for patients with an ECOG performance score <2 compared to 0% (0/6) in the others (p=0.000). Apart from that, induction of markedly hypocellular, leukemia-free bone marrow on day 11 was associated with achievement of CR (13 evaluable: CR 8/10 vs 0/3, p=0.035). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS. IDR at 17.5 mg/m(2)/d (x2) can be associated with short-course CsA and HDAC for the management of refractory acute leukemias. While this regimen could deserve testing in a larger phase II trial, to document activity in MDR1+ disease, it remains important to select the most suitable patients in order to avoid the occurrence of life-threatening cumulative toxicity.     

Phase II evaluation of an intensified induction therapy with standard daunomycin and cytarabine followed by high dose cytarabine for adults with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia: a Southwest Oncology Group study (SWOG-9500)

Induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) usually consists of 7 days of cytarabine at 100-200 mg/m(2)/day and an anthracycline. Such combinations produce complete response (CR) rates of 60-80% in patients with de novo AML. On the basis of a previous report, suggesting a higher CR rate using a regimen of standard daunomycin and cytarabine followed by 3 days of high-dose cytarabine (HDAC), 101 eligible patients received this regimen in a phase II trial. Sixty patients [59%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 49-69%] achieved a CR, and 10 patients died of infection during induction. Although cytogenetic risk group affected overall survival (P = 0.0016) and relapse-free survival (P = 0.0043), it had no impact on CR rate (P = 0.63). Patients received postremission therapy with repetitive courses of alternate day high-dose cytarabine; this was associated with considerable toxicity and the majority of patients could not receive all of the scheduled postremission therapy. The estimated median survival was 23 months (95% CI 15-34 months), and the estimated probability of surviving 5 years was 34% (95% CI 24-43%). The results of this intensive induction regimen were similar to that seen in previous trials and were not as promising as reported in the previous pilot study.     

Increasing the dose of aclarubicin in low-dose cytarabine and aclarubicin in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (CAG regimen) can safely and effectively treat relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia

It is difficult for relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients to achieve complete remission (CR). The CAG regimen [low-dose cytarabine and aclarubicin in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)] has been used to treat relapsed and refractory AML patients, and showed good therapeutic efficacy. It is unknown, however, whether increasing the dose of aclarubicin in CAG regimen could treat relapsed or refractory AML safely and effectively. We evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of increasing the dose of aclarubicin in CAG regimen, in 37 relapsed or refractory AML patients. All patients were treated with CAG regimen including low-dose cytarabine (10 mg/m² every 12 h, days 1–14), aclarubicin (5–7 mg/m² every day, days 1–14), and G-CSF (200 μg/m² every day, days 1–14) priming. After a single course of therapy, the overall response [CR + partial remission (PR)] rate of all patients was 78.4 % (29/37), in which the CR rate was 62.2 % (23/37). There was no early death. The median overall survival was 6 months (range 2–36 months). Myelosuppression was ubiquitous, but tolerated. No severe non-hematologic toxicity was observed. Thus, increasing the dose of aclarubicin in CAG regimen can be used safely and effectively in the treatment of relapsed or refractory AML.     

Fludarabine and cytarabine in patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia refractory to initial salvage therapy

The most effective regimen for relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who do not achieve complete remission (CR) after a course of salvage therapy has not been established. We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of fludarabine and cytarabine in patients with AML in first relapse who did not respond to a course of salvage chemotherapy with mitoxantrone and etoposide. CR was achieved in 39 % of treated patients, and in 47 % of patients with a favorable/intermediate-risk karyotype. The median overall survival was 4.75 months. The median survival for patients achieving CR with fludarabine–cytarabine was significantly higher than for those who did not respond to therapy (9.6 vs. 4.5 months, P = 0.04). Our data suggest that the fludarabine–cytarabine regimen merits further investigation in relapsed AML patients with favorable or intermediate-risk karyotype with persistent leukemia after a course of salvage therapy.