Low-dose adriamycin remission maintenance for advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Southwest Oncology, Group study

A low-dose maintenance schedule of adriamycin was evaluated in children with advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thirty-six evaluable patients who achieved two or more remissions were given adriamycin, 10 mg/m2/week, as a single maintenance agent. The median duration of second remission was 17 weeks, but only 5 weeks for third and fourth remission. Although the therapy was not found effective in more advanced disease, the median duration of second remission approached that obtained from various multi-agent treatment schedules. We conclude that the therapeutic efficacy of this treatment schedule makes it appealing for incorporation into multi-drug combination regimens.