Low‐dose ARA‐C fails to enhance differentiation of leukaemic cells

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Abstract
Nine patients with acute myelogenous leukemia were treated with low-dose ARA-C [cytosine arabinoside] (10 mg/m2, q 12 h) for a planned 21 days. Complete remission was attained in only 1 patient (11.1%). Definite cytoreductive effect was seen in 4 additional patients. There was 1 treatment-related death. Hematologic toxicity occurred in all 9 pateints with severe thrombocytopenia most prominent. Severe hepatotoxicity precluded further ARA-C treatment in 1 patient. Because of toxicity only 2 patients were able to complete their scheduled 3 wk courses of low-dose ARA-C. No evidence of ARA-C induced differentiation of leukemic cells was noted on follow-up bone marrow examination during or shortly after the treatment course. The utility and indication for low-dose ARA-C therapy of AML remains to be determined.