[Phase II study of mitoxantrone for acute leukemia].

A total of seventeen patients with acute leukemia were treated with mitoxantrone for induction therapy. Nine out of 17 patients were previously untreated, while the other eight patients were previously treated. All of the previously treated cases had received chemotherapy including anthracycline derivatives. Bolus infusion of Mitoxantrone for three to ten days was employed. The daily and total doses of mitoxantrone ranged from 1.8 mg/m2 to 4.3 mg/m2 and from 7.5 mg/m2 to 40 mg/m2, respectively. CR was achieved in three (33%) previously untreated and two (25%) in previously treated cases. PR occurred in five previously untreated and in two previously treated patients. The other five failed to respond the agent. The most serious adverse effect of the drug was myelosuppression, but it was reversible in all cases. In one patient irreversible EKG change was observed. All other adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting, anorexia and diarrhea, were not serious and reversible. In conclusion, Mitoxantrone is effective in some cases with acute leukemia.