Prognostic significance of myeloperoxidase containing blast cells in acute myelogenous leukaemia.

Fifty three newly diagnosed patients of de novo acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) received treatment consisting of remission induction with daunorubicin 60 mg/m 2 on day one and continuous infusion of cytosine arabinoside 200 mg/m 2 /day over 24 h from day one to 7. Thereafter patients in complete remission received consolidation chemotherapy with two identical courses. Complete remission (CR) could be achieved in 40 patients (75.5%). Seven patients (13.2%) died with complications during aplasia phase following remission induction therapy while six patients (11.3%) had resistant disease. Twenty seven patients (67.5%) developed relapse while eight patients (15.1%) continue to remain in complete remission ranging from 51 to 68 months (median 62.5)