The role of cytosine arabinoside maintenance in acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia.

A series of 30 unselected patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) was treated with combination chemotherapy, including three courses of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) by 5-day continuous i.v. infusion, vincristine i.v. weekly, and prednisone daily to complete remission. Ara-C was administered alone as a 5-day continuous i.v. infusion monthly for maintenance. Ten (33%) achieved a complete remission (CR). The remaining 30 (67%), including temporary partial remissions, hematologic improvements, inadequate trials, and early deaths, were all considered failures. The CR rate was 57% in those 17 cases receiving an adequate trial. After After 5 1/2 years' followup, the overall median survival, including cases failing to achieve CR, was 3.1 months. For those having adequate trials the median survival was 16.6 months, and for those achieving a CR, 36.6 months. Two patients are still alive, one at 55.2 months on maintenance therapy, and the other at 62.8 months, currently unmaintained.