Drug dosage and remission duration in childhood lymphocytic leukemia

✍ Scribed by Donald Pinkel; Kathleen Hernandez; Luis Borella; Charlene Holton; Rhomes Aur; Gregory Samoy; Charles Pratt

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1971
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 796 KB
• Volume: 27
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0008-543X
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(197102)27:2<247::aid-cncr2820270202>3.0.co;2-c

✦ Synopsis

Children with acute lymphocytic leukemia in complete remission were randomized between 2 combination chemotherapy schedules for continuation of their remissions. One group received full dosage of 4 antileukemic drugs, and the other received half dosage of the same compounds. Median durations of complete remission and of hematologic remission were longer in the full-dosage than half-dosage group. Four out of 21 patients in the fulbdosage group continue in their initial complete remission for 40 to 48 months and have been off treatment f o r 3 months to 1 year. Nine in the full-dosage group and 4 in the half-dosage group remain in continuous hematologic remission f o r 40 to 55 months. Review of results of previous combination chemotherapy studies of childhood lymphocytic leukemia a t this hospital indicated a 17 per cent 5-year leukemia-free survival rate.

OR THE PAST 8 YEARS WE HAVE USED COM-F binations of multiple antileukemic drugs for induction and continuation of remissions of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia?, 6-7

The objective has been to achieve prolonged and hopefully permanent continuous complete remission.

Drug toxicity has been frequent and hematopoietic suppression has been a constant problem. Neutropenia during remission neces-