Adding lomustine to idarubicin and cytarabine for induction chemotherapy in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia: the BGMT 95 trial results.

Background And Objectives: Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older patients remains unsatisfactory. The BGMT 95 trial for older patients set out to improve the outcome of these patients by adding a third drug (lomustine) to a 5+7 idarubicin and cytarabine schedule at induction and evaluating intermediate-dose cytarabine as consolidation.

Design And Methods: A multicenter randomized trial was performed comparing induction therapy with idarubicin and cytarabine, 5+7 (IC) to induction therapy with the same drugs plus lomustine (CCNU), 200 mg\m(2) orally on day 1 (ICL).

Reduced intensity conditioning prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia as a first-line treatment.

Background: Thirty-three patients (median age 52; range 26-60) with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) were included in a pilot study of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) following a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC).

Methods: Patients achieving first complete remission (CR1) were selected for their high-risk clinical and/or leukemic features. All patients received two courses of consolidation chemotherapy including one high-dose cytarabine course.