A retrospective observational study of leucoreductive strategies to manage patients with acute myeloid leukaemia presenting with hyperleucocytosis.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients with hyperleucocytosis have higher early mortality, lower complete remission (CR) and overall survival (OS). Whether different pre-induction leucoreduction strategies can improve outcome is unknown. A single centre retrospective cohort study was conducted on AML patients with a white blood cell count (WBC) >100 × 10(9) /l between 1987 and 1997, and on all AML patients between 1998 and 2006, to determine (a) the effect of four different leucoreductive strategies (leukapheresis, hydroxycarbamide, leukapheresis and hydroxycarbamide or no pre-induction leucoreduction) on early (day 28) mortality, CR, and OS; and (b) whether a high presenting WBC remains a negative predictor of OS in patients surviving induction (first 28 d).