Treatment outcome of acute promyelocytic leukemia with modified aida protocol

We analyzed the outcome of a series of 19 newly diagnosed patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with AIDA modified protocol, using mitoxantrone in place of idarubicin. Eleven patients achieved morphologic CR (58%). The remaining 8 patients had induction failure due to death during induction. Ten of eleven patients in CR achieved molecular remission after induction therapy and all the 8 patients had molecular remission after consolidation. Eight patients completed the three consolidation courses as scheduled and then proceeded to maintenance therapy. After a median follow up of 52 months, no molecular or hematological relapse has occurred. The 4-year disease-free survival is 82%. The study showed the antileukemic efficacy of mitoxantrone and that it could be used as a reasonable option in anthracycline-based strategies in APL.