Treatment of acute non lymphoid leukemia (ANLL) in elderly patients. The Gimema experience

The results of four consecutive trials designed by the GIMEMA group for the treatment of ANLL in elderly patients are reviewed. Complete remission (CR) has been achieved in 20.8% of patients older than 60 years treated with 5-day courses of ARA-C plus Thioguanine, in 22.7% of patients treated with high dose ARA-C (HDARAC) plus Asparaginase, in 39.5% of pateints aged 55 to 80 receiving either Idarubicin or Daunorubicin in combination with Cytarabine in a standard 3+7 protocol and in 51% of patients older than 60 years treated with intermediate dose ARA-A (IDARAC) plus Mitoxantrone