Response to 5-azacytidine in patients with refractory acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and association with chromosome findings.

Abstract

Fifteen patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) who either had a relapse after a previous complete remission (nine patients) or progressive disease after initial induction attempts with combination chemotherapy (six patients) were treated with 5-azacytidine. Five patients (33%) achieved a complete remission (CR); of these, three had a relapse and died 30, 35, and 38 weeks after 5-azacytidine therapy was begun. Two patients are still alive at 39 and 138 weeks. Chromosomes were analyzed at the time of diagnosis; ten patients had a normal karyotype and five had an abnormal karyotype. Three of the five CR patients had an abnormal karyotype initially. Two of these individuals had a translocation of chromosomal material from a No. 8 chromosome to a No. 21 chromosome, t(8;21); this particular translocation has been associated with a better prognosis than have other types of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with ANLL. Even when abnormal chromosomes are present, 5-azacytidine can induce complete remission in patients with previously treated ANLL.

• Authors: R A Larson, D L Sweet, H M Golomb, J R Testa, J D Rowley
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 49 Issue 11 Pg. 2222-5 (Jun 01 1982) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States
• PMID: 6176310 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Azacitidine

Topics

• Adult
• Azacitidine (therapeutic use)
• Bone Marrow (pathology)
• Chromosome Aberrations
• Chromosome Disorders
• Chromosomes, Human, 21-22 and Y
• Chromosomes, Human, 6-12 and X
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Karyotyping
• Leukemia, Lymphoid (drug therapy, genetics)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Translocation, Genetic