Etoposide in the treatment of acute leukemia in adults

Abstract

Summary The value of etoposide in the treatment of adult acute leukemia is as yet poorly defined. It has a distinct activity in ANLL, but there is no evidence as yet based on experience with adults to indicate its effective use in ALL. A clear activity has been demonstrated for etoposide used as a single agent for all ANLL forms. Although the existing data are as yet fragmentary, the best results seem to have been obtained with acute monocytic leukemia. In this form, Bernasconi obtained remission rates through primary induction with etoposide alone that were similar to the results obtained with combination chemotherapy; moreover, the durations were comparable (1, 2). This fact is all the more important for the treatment of older patients who poorly tolerate an aplasia-producing induction therapy. Further investigations in this area are desirable. In the light of the preliminary Zurich data especially, incorporation of etoposide in the treatment of relapses of all ANLL forms seems to be quite promising and should be systematically further investigated. The question of a synergism between ara-C and etoposide has not yet been answered clinically.