Further local experience in the treatment of acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia

Ninety-two patients suffering from various forms of acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia were seen at the Johannesburg General Hospital between January 1972 and December 1977. Seventy-four completed at least one course of therapy, and were therefore available for evaluation. Three basic regimens were used for inducing remissions. These included daunorubicin and cytosine arabinoside (regimen 1-19 patients); larger doses of daunorubicin together with cytosine arabinoside (regimen 2-29 patients); and a combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, cytosine arabinoside and prednisone (regimen 3-22 patients). Regimen 3 was normally used only in older patients. Supportive measures included the use of red cell, granulocyte and platelet transfusions. Complete remission rates with the 3 regimens were 36,8%, 55,1% and 40,9% respectively, with corresponding partial remission rates of 5,2%, 0% and 18,1% respectively. The mean duration of survival in those patients who achieved remission was 10 months, 18 months and 8 months respectively. In addition, a complete remission rate of 28,6% was obtained in 14 patients, 10 of whom had relapsed while being treated with other regimens and who were later treated with an 8-drug combination (TRAMPCOL).