Induction of remission in acute leukemia ofchildhood by combination of prednisone and either 6-mercaptopurine or methotrexate

Abstract

A controlled study of two chemotherapeutic induction regimens in the treatment of229 patients with acute leukemia of childhood is reported. The efficacy of a combination of prednisone and 6-mercaptopurine was compared to that of prednisone and methotrexate. Complete bone marrow remission in cases of acute lymphoblastic and undifferentiated leukemia was obtained in 86 per cent with prednisone and 6-mercaptopurine and in 80 per cent with prednisone and methotrexate. In the other types of acute leukemia, marrow remissions were noted in only 33 per cent with the former, and 22 per cent with the latter regimen. A controlled study of two chemotherapeutic induction regimens in the treatment of229 patients with acute leukemia of childhood is reported. The efficacy of a combination of prednisone and 6-mercaptopurine was compared to that of prednisone and methotrexate. Complete bone marrow remission in cases of acute lymphoblastic and undifferentiated leukemia was obtained in 86 per cent with prednisone and 6-mercaptopurine and in 80 per cent with prednisone and methotrexate. In the other types of acute leukemia, marrow remissions were noted in only 33 per cent with the former, and 22 per cent with the latter regimen.