Etoposide in the management of leukemia: a review

Single-agent etoposide (VP16-213, NSC 141540) induces complete response (CR) in 15% to 25% of previously treated patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). Etoposide has been used successfully in combination with cytarabine, daunorubicin, and amsacrine as salvage and consolidation therapy. Patients aged 15 to 70 years with previously untreated ANLL were randomized to therapy with either 7-3 (cytarabine 100 mg/m2/d days 1 to 7 and daunorubicin 50 mg/m2/d days 1 to 3) or 7-3-7 (7-3 plus etoposide 75 mg/m2/d days 1 to 7). Patients achieving CR received two consolidation courses of the same drugs for shorter duration (5-2 or 5-2-5). Of 264 eligible patients, 7-3 induced CR in 56%, 7-3-7 in 59%. Remission duration was significantly improved with 7-3-7 (median, 12 months 7-3, 18 months 7-3-7, P = .01) but not survival. Subset analysis in patients under 55 years of age revealed prolonged remission (median, 12 months 7-3 v 27 months 7-3-7, P = .01) and survival (median, 9 months 7-3 v 17 months 7-3-7, P = .04) with 7-3-7. Hematologic toxicity was similar during induction but significantly more severe in consolidation. Etoposide is active in ANLL and prolongs remission when used as induction therapy.