Analysis of related factors for refractory primary acute leukemia

Objective:To analyze the related factors for primary acute leukemia (AL) becoming refractory.Methods:Retrospective study was carried out on 36 patients with primary AL in terms of FAB classifications, peripheral blood(PB) cells, bone marrow(BM) leukemia cells and chemotherapy method.Results:Patients with AL(n=135) underwent 2 courses of chemotherapy, among which 36 patients could not reach complete remission, the refractory rate was 26.7%. Patients with M 4 and M 5, according to FAB classification, had more higher refratory rate than that in other subtypes, being 47.1% and 41.6% respectively.Peripheral white blood cell count and percentage of leukemia cells were major factors affecting treatment.Hemoglobin, platelets and percentage of leukemia cells in bone marrow had no significant difference between refractory and non-refractory groups.The lowest white blood counts after the first chemotherapy were higher in refractory patients than that in non-refractory patients.The doses of chemotherapy in 33.3% patients were lower than regular doses.Conclusion:M 4 and M 5 subtypes, peripheral white blood cell counts,percentage of leukemia cells increase and lower dose of chemotherapy are important factors for primary AL becoming refractory.