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Recent studies by A. Pigneux and co-authors add new data to acute myeloid leukemia findings
December 10th, 2007
2007 DEC 10 -- "Background and Objectives Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older patients remains unsatisfactory. The BGMT 95 trial for older patients set out to improve the outcome of these patients by adding a third drug (lomustine) to a 5+7 idarubicin and cytarabine schedule at induction and evaluating intermediate-dose cytarabine as consolidation," researchers in Pessac, France report. "Design and Methods A multicenter randomized trial was performed comparing induction therapy with idarubicin and cytarabine, 5+7 (IC) to induction therapy with the same drugs plus lomustine (CCNU), 200 Mg/m(2) orally on day 1 (ICL). Patients in complete remission (CR) were then randomized to receive either maintenance therapy or intensification with intermediate-dose cytarabine and idarubicin followed by maintenance therapy. Results Between 1995 and 2001, 364 patients (>= 60 years) from ten centers were included. The CR rate was 58% for patients in the IC arm and 67% for patients in the ICL arm (p=0.104). The median overall survival (OS) was 7 and 12 months respectively (p=0.05), but OS at 2 years was not statistically different: 31 +/- 7% for patients in the ICL arm vs 24 +/- 6% for those in the IC arm. The two post-remission strategies yielded similar results. Interpretation and Conclusions Adding lomustine to induction with idarubicin and cytarabine therapy did not statistically improve survival in elderly patients with AML," wrote A. Pigneux and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Adding intermediate-dose cytarabine to consolidation therapy did not improve outcome." Pigneux and colleagues published their study in Haematologica - the Hematology Journal (Recent studies by A. Pigneux and co-authors add new data to acute myeloid leukemia findings. Haematologica - the Hematology Journal, 2007;92(10):1327-1334). For additional information, contact A. Pigneux, Hopital Haut Leveque, Service Malad Sang, Avenue Magellan, F-33604 Pessac, France. Publisher contact information for the Haematologica - the Hematology Journal is: Ferrata Storti Foundation, Strada Nuova 134, 27100 Pavia, Italy. Keywords: France, Pessac, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Antibiotic, Antineoplastic, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trial Research, Cytarabine, Drug Therapy, Drugs, Hematology, Idarubicin, Lomustine, Oncology, Pharmaceuticals, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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