Abstract
The study was designed to compare the relapse rate and toxicity of intermittent prednisone, oncovin (vincristine), methotrexate, and 6-mercaptopurine (POMP) vs. 6-mercaptopurine daily and a prednisone pulse every three months (PIP) for maintenance therapy in acute leukemia. Children with acute lymphoblastic, acute undifferentiated, or acute stem-cell leukemia were stratified on the basis of initial leukocyte count and age, then randomly assigned to POMP or PIP maintenance therapy. All patients received cranial irradiation and intrathecal chemotherapy. Of the 67 patients receiving POMP maintenance, 20(30%) remain in continuous remission. The median length of continuous remission achieved with POMP therapy was 49 weeks. Of 80 patients receiving PIP maintenance, 25(31%) remain in remission. The median length of continuous remission for PIP was 62 weeks. Of the possible prognostic factors evaluated, the only significant factor was the prognostic grouping base in age and initial leukocyte regimen was associated with a higher incidence of toxic reactions, frequently causing therapy interruption. The results for both regimens as studied are inferior to those for 6-mercaptopurine methotrexate maintenance regimens as reported by others.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.