Cancer
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Cyclophosphamide, cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate versus cytosine arabinoside and thioguanine for acute non-lymphocytic leukemia in adults.
One-hundred and fifty-one adults with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) were entered into an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group protocol (EST-1473) comparing twice daily cytosine arabinoside and thioguanine (AT) with weekly cyclophosphamide, cytosine arabinoside, and methotrexate (CAM) for remission induction. Of 111 evaluable patients, 16 treated with CAM and 16 treated with AT entered complete remission (CR) on their initial therapy and 5 additional patients entered CR on crossover for a total of 37 or 33% of the evaluable patients. Of the 71 patients who survived three weeks or longer, the overall CR rate was 52%. ⋯ Age less than 60, ambulatory performance status, or fewer than 50% marrow blasts were also associated with a better response rate and longer survival. CAM had more severe mucositis and vomiting associated with it than did AT, but toxicities were otherwise comparble. Weekly CAM and AT appear to be equally effective regimens in the treatment of ANLL.