Comparative evaluation of a combination of daunorubicin and cytosine arabinoside and that of aclarubicin and cytosine arabinoside in remission induction in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia]

A comparative trial of a combination of daunorubicin and cytosine arabinoside (Regimen A) and a combination of aclarubicin and cytosine arabinoside (Regimen B) was performed. Sixteen patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, previously untreated, were entered into this study. Five of 8 patients (62.5%) obtained a complete remission (CR) in Regimen A and B, respectively. The days required for achieving a CR varied from 37 to 46 days in Regimen A and from 22 to 56 days in Regimen B. The total doses of daunorubicin and cytosine arabinoside were from 100 to 240 mg and from 640 to 1,120 mg in Regimen A, respectively. Those of aclarubicin were from 180 to 300 mg and from 660 to 1,000 mg in cytosine arabinoside in Regimen B. In a comparative study on hematological changes, toxic effects on peripheral white blood cell, platelet and nucleated cell counts in bone marrow tended to appear later in Regimen B compared to those in Regimen A. Side effects on digestive system such as nausea and vomiting and vascular pain were more frequently recognized in patients treated with Regimen B, although they were managed by symptomatic treatment. The results indicated the usefullness of aclarubicin in combination chemotherapy for the treatment of acute non-lymphocytic leukemia.