2'-deoxycoformycin (DCF) and 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (Ara-A) in the treatment of refractory acute myelocytic leukemia.

The combination of 2'-deoxycoformycin (DCF), a potent adenosine deaminase (ADA) inhibitor, and 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (Ara-A) was used in a patient with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia refractory to all conventional modes of therapy. DCF was given by periodic iv injections to ablate ADA activity. Ara-A was given by continuous iv infusion at an initial dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day, with progressive increases to 6 mg/kg/day. With adequate ADA suppression (less than 2 x 10(-2) mumols of inosine/hr/10(6)h cells), the Ara-A decreased the absolute peripheral blood myeloblast count from 36,332 to 780/microliter. The patient experienced no renal, hepatic, or neurologic complications during therapy.