MITOXANTRONE IN THE TREATMENT OF RELAPSED AND REFRACTORY ACUTE-LEUKEMIA

Twenty-four patients with acute leukemia and blast crisis of chronic myelocytic leukemia in relapse or refractory to standard chemotherapy were eligible for treatment with mitoxntrone. Mitoxanthrone was administered in a dose of 8-13 mg/m2 on 5 consecutive days. Five of 20 evaluable patients were induced into complete remission and 1 patient achieved a partial remission. Side effects included moderate to severe bone marrow suppression, moderate mucositis and hair loss. No cardiotoxicity was observed. Mitoxantrone is apparently an active agent in the treatment of acute leukemia and further studies in combination chemotherapy is suggested.