[High-dose cytarabine as intensive postremission therapy in acute myelogenous leukemia: effect on long-term...

In an attempt to increase the proportion of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) remaining in long-term disease-free survival (DFS). 37 patients with AML in complete remission (CR) received HD-Ara-C (1.0 g/m2) as intensive postremission therapy. The results were compared with those of 28 patients who did not receive HD-Ara-C therapy (control group) during the same period. With a median follow-up of 21.7 months (6.9-77.3), median CR duration was 16.0 months for HD-Ara-C group and 10.0 months (2.0-75.2) for the control group. Relapse rates were 48.6% (18/37) and 75% (21/28), respectively. The actuarial 3 and 5 years DFS was 50.2% and 43% for HD-Ara-C group versus 31% and 16.7% for the control group. There was significant difference (P < 0.05). This result suggested that HD-Ara-C could prolong DFS and reduce relapse in patients with AML.