POMP combination chemotherapy of adult acute leukemia

Eighty-nine adults with acute leukemia (AML and ALL) were treated with a combination of 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol), vincristine (Oncovin), methotrexate, and prednisone [POMP] for remission induction and maintenance. The overall response rate was 53% and the complete remission rate 40%. The median duration of maintained complete remission was 24 weeks. The median survival time for all patients was 7 months. For the patients who responded, the median survival time was 13 months. Age and previous therapy were major factors influencing the response of the patients in this study. Side effects other than myelosuppression resulted in liver function abnormalities, minor gastrointestinal intolerance, and paresthesias. POMP chemotherapy is effective remission induction and maintenance therapy for adults with acute leukemia under the age of 50 and who have not had prior chemotherapy.