[Results of induction treatment with idarubicin for acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia in adults]

Fifty six adult acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia patients were randomised in 1993 year according to Polish Acute Leukemia Group (PALG) into prospective, cooperative trial with the same prognostic factors distribution. The results of induction treatment using idarubicin on days 1, 3, 5 plus arabinoside cytosine 1-7/10 plus etoposide 1-5 (ICE7/10) vs. daunorubicin on days 1-3 plus Ara-C 1-7/10 with additional HD Ara-C in case of not sufficient cytoreduction in 6th day's bone marrow biopsy (3+7/+/-HD) and etoposide in M4-5 subtype are comparable (63 vs. 61% CR). Complete remission was achieved significantly more frequency (p < 0.02) after 1 cycle of induction treatment with ICE7/10 (93%) compared with 3+7+/-HD (55%), and 10 days shorter time to CR was observed. Side effects were comparable in both groups. The program with IDA needed more intensive supportive therapy.