Treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in the elderly with intermediate high-dose cytosine arabinoside

Effective treatment of the elderly patients (greater than or equal to 65 years) with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) remains elusive and controversial. In the present study, single-agent Cytosine Arabinoside (ARA-C) was administered at an intermediate dose level (500 mg/m2 intravenously [I.V.] 1-hour infusion q12 hours for 12 doses) to 30 newly diagnosed and previously untreated patients. Complete remission was achieved in seven patients after the initial cycle of treatment, in two patients after retreatment, and in one patient after delayed recovery of his peripheral count over a 6-month period. The toxicity of this schedule was primarily hematologic, and the response rate was in keeping with that reported by other groups using aggressive multiagent regimens.