PREDNISONE IN CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA

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Abstract
Thirty children with acute lymphatic leukemia were treated with 2.2 mg/kg/day of prednisone for 28 days. After this initial course, they were alternately given interrupted or continuous therapy. In the group receiving the interrupted therapy, the dose was gradually discontinued over the succeeding 5 to 7 days. In the continuous therapy group, prednisone was continued, but at a reduced dose of 0.55 mg/kg/day. Both groups were followed by serial evaluation of the bone marrow, blood, physical findings and symptoms. The therapy period was considered terminated when relapse occurred as judged by the bone marrow. The groups did not differ significantly in the number of remissions induced, their duration, or the duration of clinical control. One patient in each group failed to obtain a remission of any degree. These studies do not indicate any advantage for continuous therapy over interrupted therapy with prednisone. On the other hand, with continuous therapy, there are the disadvantages of increased side-effects, higher cost, and the probability of permanent refractoriness to the drug.
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