All issues > Volume 41(2); 1998

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1998;41(2):209-215. Published online February 15, 1998.

Induction Chemotherapy with BH-AC, Idarubicin, and 6-Thioguanine in Childhood Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Hyo Jeong HJ Han¹, Hyoung Jin HJ Kang¹, Jun Ah JA Lee¹, Hyoung Soo HS Choi¹, Hyeon Jin HJ Park¹, Ki Woong KW Seong¹, Eun Sun ES Yoo¹, Hee Young HY Shin¹, Hyo Seop HS Ahn¹

¹Division of Hemato-oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Hyo Jeong HJ Han ,Email: 1

Abstract

Purpose
: We have undertaken this study to evaluate the effects of induction chemotherapy involving BH-AC, idarubicin, and 6-thioguanine(6-TG).
Methods
: BH-AC 300mg/m2/day was administered intravenously over three hours for seven consecutive days. Idarubicin 12mg/m2/day was administered intravenously for three days. 6-TG 100 mg/m2/day was administered orally for seven days. Intrathecal ara-C was administered on the first day of treatment.
Results
: Complete remission(CR) was achieved in 18 cases(66.7%), partial remission(PR) was achieved in 2 cases(7.4%). In previously untreated patients, complete reimission rate was 92.9%(13/ 14), in relapsed patients, 40%(2/5) and in the refractory patients, 37.5%(3/8). The remission duration until December 1996 was 45 to 630 days(median 133). Duration of the neutropenia(ANC<500/μL) was 0 to 38 days(median 24). Side effects were nausea, vomiting(7/27, 25.9%), liver dysfunction(1/27, 3.7%), skin eruption(1/27, 3.7%), and mucositis(1/27, 3.7%). In all cases, fever developed in the neutropenic state(culture proven sepsis in 5 cases). Death occurred in 5 cases who achieved CR due to sepsis after chemotherapy(4 cases), intracerebral hemorrhage after bone marrow relapse (1 case).
Conclusion
: BH-AC, idarubicin, and 6-TG induction chemotherapy could be a useful induction chemotherapy treatment that combines supportive care for infection and bleeding.

Keywords :BH-AC, Idarubicin, Induction chemotherapy, Remission rate, Acute myelogenous leukemia