Induction of remission in acute promyelocytic leukemia with mitoxantrone

Two patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia in first relapse received mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2/day for 5 days. Both patients received IV heparin with replacement of platelets and coagulation factors for control of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Both have achieved a complete remission after one course of treatment. We conclude that mitoxantrone is active in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia and that these patients should also be included in the planned prospective randomized trials comparing daunorubicin and mitoxantrone in combination with cytarabine in previously untreated patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia.