Aclarubicin in the treatment of elderly patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Thirteen previously untreated patients aged 70 and above with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia were treated with aclarubicin (ACR) alone. Among 10 cases (3, acute myelocytic leukemia; 4, acute myelomonocytic leukemia; 2, acute monocytic leukemia; and one, acute erythroleukemia) in which an evaluation was possible, 5 cases (3, acute myelomonocytic leukemia; and 2, acute monocytic leukemia) obtained complete remission (CR). The CR rate was 83% in 6 patients with acute myelomonocytic leukemia or acute monocytic leukemia. The median CR duration and survival was 7.5 and 10 + months, respectively. Although side effects of the drug on digestive system such as nausea, vomiting and anorexia were observed in all patients, they were controllable by conventional treatments. The results suggest that ACR is effective for the clinical management of elderly patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, especially those with acute myelomonocytic leukemia or acute monocytic leukemia.