Study results from Ludwig-Maximilians University, Department of Hematology in the area of acute myeloid leukemia therapy published

11-06-2006

Fresh data on acute myeloid leukemia are presented in the report "Non-infusional vs intravenous consolidation chemotherapy in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia: final results of the EORTC-GIMEMA AML-13 randomized phase III trial." According to a study from Munich, Germany, "In this trial, acute myeloid leukemia patients (pts) aged 61-80 years received MICE (mitoxantrone, etoposide and cytarabine) induction chemotherapy in combination with different schedules of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration. Pts in complete remission were subsequently randomized for two cycles of consolidation therapy: mini-ICE regimen (idarubicin, etoposide and cytarabine) given according to either an intravenous (i.v.) or a 'non-infusional' schedule."

"Among the 346 pts randomized for the second step, 331 pts received consolidation-1 and 182 consolidation-2. A total of 290 events (255 relapses, 35 deaths in first CR) have been reported. The median follow-up was 4.4 years. No significant differences were detected in terms of disease-free survival (median 9 vs 10.4 months, p=0.15, hazard ratio (HR)=1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.49) -primary end point -and survival (median 15.7 vs 17.8 months, p=0.19, HR=1.17, 95% CI 0.92-1.50). In the 'non-infusional' arm grade 3-4 vomiting (10 vs 2%; p=0.001) and diarrhea (10 vs 4%; p=0.03) were higher than in the 'i.v.' arm, whereas time to platelet recovery >20 x 10(9)/l (median: 19 vs 23 days; p=0.02) and duration of hospitalization (mean: 15 vs 27 days; p<0.0001) was shorter," wrote U. Jehn and colleagues, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Department of Hematology.

The researchers concluded: "The 'non-infusional' consolidation regimen resulted in an antileukemic effect similar to the intravenous regimen, which was less myelosuppressive and associated with less hospitalization days."

Jehn and colleagues published the results of their research in Leukemia (Non-infusional vs intravenous consolidation chemotherapy in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia: final results of the EORTC-GIMEMA AML-13 randomized phase III trial. Leukemia, 2006;20(10):1723-30).

For additional information, contact U. Jehn, Klinikum Grosshadern, Dept. of Hematology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.

The publisher of the journal Leukemia can be contacted at: Nature Publishing Group, Macmillan Building, 4 Crinan St., London N1 9XW, England.

Keywords: Germany, Munich, Acute Myeloid Leukemia Therapy, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Chemotherapy, Cytarabine, Drug Therapy, Drugs, Etoposide, Hematology, Oncology, Pharmaceuticals, Treatment.

This article was prepared by Hematology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Hematology Week via NewsRx.com.