Acute and late toxicities of pirarubicin in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results from a clinical trial by the Japan Association of Childhood Leukemia Study

Background Anthracyclines are used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Even when administered at low doses, these agents are reported to cause progressive cardiac dysfunction. We conducted a clinical trial comparing the toxicities of two anthracyclines, pirarubicin (THP) and daunorubicin (DNR), in the treatment of childhood ALL. The results from our study that relate to acute and late toxicities are reported here.