Comparison of Different Chemotherapy Regimens in the Management of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia - 5 Years Experience from Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES: This is a retrospective study in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients carried out at Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Centre Rawalpindi Pakistan between July 2001 and June 2006. Aim of the study was to evaluate outcome in AML patients treated with different remission induction and consolidation chemotherapy regimens in our population.

METHODS: During 5 years period between July 2001 to June 2006, 46 patients received treatment for AML at our centre. Twenty nine patients were males and 17 were females. Median age of patients was 21 years (range: 7–56 years). These 46 patients were categorized into two groups on the basis of type of leukaemia and chemotherapy given. In group-I 40 patients (group Ia: 23 patients of M1–M6, less M3 group Ib: 17 patients of AML M3) received anthracycline and cytarabin based chemotherapy. In group- II, six patients (AML- M3) received all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) based chemotherapy.

RESULTS: In group Ia, out of 23 patients, 14 patients (60.8%) achieved complete remission (CR) after remission induction chemotherapy,10 patients remained in CR after 3^rd and 4^th consolidation. Eleven patients died and five patients relapsed during treatment and follow up. In this group overall CR, relapse rate (RR) and mortality was 30.4% (7/23), 21.7% (5/23) & 48% (11/23) respectively. In group Ib out of 17 patients, 9 patients (53%) achieved CR after remission induction. Eleven patients died during treatment while one patient relapsed in this group. Overall CR, RR & mortality was 29.4% (5/17), 6% (1/17) & 55% (11/17) respectively. In group II all patients achieved CR (100%) after 1^st course of chemotherapy. Two of these patients unfortunately died of uncontrolled sepsis during 1st consolidation, while remaining 4 patients 66.6% are on maintenance chemotherapy and are still in CR.

CONCLUSION: Overall CR, RR and mortality in all groups was 35% (16/46), 13% (6/46) and 52% (24/46) respectively at a median follow-up of 36 ± 8 months. Survival in AML-M3 patients treated with ATRA based chemotherapy is significantly superior than anthracycline based chemotherapy (66.6% vs 29.4%). Infection and chemotherapy toxicity being major causes of mortality.