Beneficial effects of hepatitis in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia.

Of 50 consecutive patients admitted with acute myelogenous leukemia, 30 developed complete remissions on antileukemic therapy. Nineteen of the 30 repeatedly had elevated serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) concentrations 3 to 14 weeks after the start of therapy. Patients with SGOT elevations had a significantly greater chance of remission and a longer survival (76 +/- 11 weeks) than those with normal SGOT levels (39 +/- 5 weeks), suggesting that hepatitis may have a beneficial effect in acute myelogenous leukemia. The hepatitis was mild in all patients. Review of patients at this institution alive 2 years after the diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia showed that they repeatedly had elevated SGOT levels. We believe that most had non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis, which may have a beneficial effect on the leukemia or serve as an indicator of patients who have greater immunocompetence and thus a better prognosis.