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Aggressive chemotherapy combined with G-CSF and maintenance therapy with interleukin-2 for patients with advanced myelodysplastic syndrome, subacute or secondary acute myeloid leukemia — initial results

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Summary

Aggressive chemotherapy of advanced myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) evolving from MDS, subacute AML and secondary AML has usually been associated with low complete remission (CR) rates, a high incidence of early death, and low disease-free survival. We therefore have initiated a phase-III trial of aggressive chemotherapy consisting of idarubicin, cytosine arabinoside, and VP-16 to improve the CR rate. Each chemotherapy cycle is followed by G-CSF to accelerate neutrophil recovery and to reduce the incidence of infections. Until now, 19 patients with high-risk AML have been entered. The CR rate is 47%, with only one death during induction. Patients achieving CR are randomized to receive either high-dose or low-dose interleukin-2 to eliminate residual leukemic cells and to prolong the duration of remission.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung für Hämatologie, Zentrum der Inneren Medizin, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, W-6000, Frankfurt/Main 70, Germany

    A. Ganser, L. Bergmann, P. S. Mitrou & D. Hoelzer

  2. Medizinische Klinik III, Klinikum der Universität Ulm, Germany

    G. Heil & H. Heimpel

  3. Abteilung für Hämatologie, III. Medizinische Klinik der Universität Mainz, Germany

    K. Kolbe & C. Huber

  4. Abteilung für Hämatologie-Onkologie, Ev. Krankenhaus Essen-Werden, Germany

    G. Maschmeyer & W. Heit

  5. 2. Medizinische Klinik, Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Germany

    J. T. Fischer

Authors
  1. A. Ganser
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  2. G. Heil
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  3. K. Kolbe
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  4. G. Maschmeyer
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  5. J. T. Fischer
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  6. L. Bergmann
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  7. P. S. Mitrou
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  8. W. Heit
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  9. H. Heimpel
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  10. C. Huber
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  11. D. Hoelzer
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Ganser, A., Heil, G., Kolbe, K. et al. Aggressive chemotherapy combined with G-CSF and maintenance therapy with interleukin-2 for patients with advanced myelodysplastic syndrome, subacute or secondary acute myeloid leukemia — initial results. Ann Hematol 66, 123–125 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01697620

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01697620

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