Age adapted induction and intensified consolidation therapy in acute myelogenous leukemia.

52 patients entered a study for remission induction and intensified consolidation in AML. Group I (age less than or equal to 50 years) received a combination of DNR, ara-C and VP16-213 for induction and early consolidation and HDara-C/DNR for late consolidation. Of 34 evaluable patients (25 first diagnosis, 9 first relapse), 27 achieved CR. 13 patients received 1-2 courses of HDara-C/DNR. Toxic symptoms of HDara-C/DNR were severe myelosuppression, infections, skin reactions, diarrhea and hepatotoxicity. CNS toxicity was not observed. 2 patients died from infection. The duration of granulocytopenia (less than 500/microliter) was 7-43 days (range) and of thrombocytopenia (less than 25,000/microliter) 5-34 days (range). Patients of group II (age greater than 50 years) received a modified regimen with reduced toxicity. Their number is too small for evaluation as yet.