[Recent advances in the chemotherapy of leukemias]

Most recent progress in the treatment of leukemia and choice of therapies for obtaining "cure" from leukemia are discussed. Chemotherapy can now provide about 40% long term survival in acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) and about 20% disease-free survival in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) of adults. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) should be applied for the patients at risk in those leukemias (Cytogenetic abnormalities for AML and prognostic factors in ALL). In CML patients, BMT offers the only cure. Update result of interferon (IFN) therapy for CML is still a matter of controversy. Ex vivo treatment of autologous cells with IFN or drugs may be beneficial for CML patients without HLA identical donor.