Abstract
Chemotherapeutic results of 25 elderly patients with acute leukemia (65-83 year-old, median 71 y. o, FAB classification; M0: 3, M 1: 6, M2: 4, M3: 1, M4: 5, M6: 1, L2: 4, L 3: 1 cases) were analysed. Althogh overall complete remission (CR) rate was 75.0%, 50% survival and 3-year survival rate was significantly poor compared with those of younger leukemia patients (12.0 M vs 41.1 M, 19.3% vs 56.5%). Significant differences in disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were found between patients who achieved CR after one course of induction therapy and who achieved CR after two or more courses (50% DFS: 3.7 M vs 9.2 M, 50% OS: 9.7 M vs 34.2 M). Chemotherapeutic results of elderly acute leukemia were poor despite intensive chemotherapy. Large scale, multi-center studies are needed to establish therapeutic strategy for elderly acute leukemia.
