Prolonged infusion of arabinosyl cytosine in childhood leukemia.

Abstract

Arabinosyl cytosine (ara-C) was administered by continuous intravenous infusion to children with acute leukemia refractory to conventional chemotherapy. The dosage was 150 mg to 200 mg/M2 of body surface area per 24 hours for 5 days, repeated every 2 weeks. Forty-six children were admitted to this study. Thirty-four had acute lymphocytic leukemia, and 12 had acute myelocytic leukemia. Of the 34 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia, one achieved complete hematologic remission, 3 achieved good partial remission, 9 had inadequate trials of the agent, and 21 failed to show any response to this agent. Of the 12 children with acute myelocytic leukemia, 2 had complete remission, one achieved good partial remission, 5 had inadequate trials of the agent, and 4 failed to show any response. Myelosuppression was the limiting toxicity. Prolonged infusion of ara-C probably offers no advantage over rapid intravenous injections for the induction of remissions in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia.