Abstract
M0-marrow is defined as a condition in which no apparent leukemia cell is seen in the bone marrow morphologically, cytogenetically or immunologically. However, M0-marrow may contain minimal residual leukemia (MRL) cells. Therefore, the treatment for MRL after complete remission is nessesary for curing the acute leukemia. Although it is not easy to evaluate the effect of treatment for MRL, the author conclude that the treatment would be effective if the prolongation of remission duration and the cure of the leukemia were achieved.
After reviewing patients with acute leukemia in remission, the treatment for MRL is considered to be effective if it is done more intensively and as early as possible after complete remission. Following therapies are in progress in our department; intensive post induction treatment similar to induction chemotherapy or high dose ara-C for AML, and intensive chemotherapy with severely myelosuppressive drugs (ADR or DNR, ara-C, CY and pred) after LVP regimen for ALL.
