Cyclic chemotherapy in childhood acute leukaemia.

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Abstract
The cyclic use of oral mercaptopurine, methotrexate, and cyclophospha-mide for the maintenance of remissions in 31 children with acute leukemia were investigated. The median duration of the 1st remission was 60 to 65 weeks (14 to 15 months). Relapses were treated with predniso-lone and weekly intravenous vincristine, 2nd remissions being obtained in 12 out of 13 patients. Thereafter, cyclic therapy was reinstituted, resulting in a median survival from diagnosis of over 82 weeks (19 months). The level of clinical toxicity was entirely acceptable, the children being free from the effects of hypercorticism for the greater part of this period and leading normal lives at home and at school.