[Sequential high-dose cytarabine therapy in combination with asparaginase in acute myeloid leukemia]

Between 1984 and 1987 14 patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia were treated with sequential high-dose cytosine arabinoside in combination with asparaginase. Twelve patients were suffering from refractory leukemia; in these patients complete remissions were achieved in 58%. The efficacy of this schedule was much better in patients with substantial leukemia cell reduction due to antecedent conventional therapy and no more than 25% blast cells in the bone marrow. In this subgroup complete remissions were achieved in 75% and 86% respectively, taking into account only the completed treatment courses. Beside the well-known side-effects such as alopecia, nausea, vomiting and hepatotoxicity, we observed an increase in severe infections. Three patients died of pulmonary mycosis.