TREATMENT OF ADULT ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA WITH CYTOSINE-ARABINOSIDE, VINCRISTINE, AND PREDNISONE

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 62  (9) , 1389-1391
Abstract
Adults 13 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were entered into a protocol in which cytosine arabinoside infusion was added to vincristine and prednisone as remission induction and periodic intensification therapy. CNS prophylaxis consisting of cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate was given, and all patients received continuous oral 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate as maintenance treatment. Myelotoxicity was severe during induction, with prolonged granulocyte and platelet count nadirs noted. Of 13 patients, 9 (69%) obtained a complete remission and 1 (8%) obtained a partial remission. The median duration of complete remission was 38.1 wk. Cytosine arabinoside in combination with vincristine and prednisone was an effective but toxic antileukemic regimen which did not produce a major improvement in remission duration.