Therapy of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in Adults

At present major issues regarding optimal therapy of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) remain unresolved. Controversial areas include the importance of consolidation and the role of postconsolidation therapy (either conventional or intensive). To investigate these problems the Italian Cooperative Group GIMEMA designed a prospective treatment program based on standard induction therapy with daunorubicin (DNR) plus cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) followed by intensive consolidation. There-after, patients were randomized in three arms to receive an aggressive postconsolidation treatment with sequential combinations of active agents given in short courses at myelosuppressive doses, conventional maintenance, or no treatment at all. This multi- center trial began in 1982 and was closed to patient entry in May 1987.