Fludarabine combined with colony-stimulating factor and cytarabine regimen for treatment of refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Fludarabine combined with colony-stimulating factor and cytarabine(FLAG)regimen for refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia.Methods One hundred and twenty-seven patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia were treated with FLAG regimen for 1-3 cycles.Results In refractory patients,complete remission(CR)was achieved in 19 cases(44.2%),whereas in the early and late relapsed patients were 13.2%(5/38)and 73.9%(34/46),respectively.Two patients in low-dose group(the daily dose of cytarabine was less than 0.5 g)achieved CR(9.5%),while in the routine group(the daily dose of cytarabine was 1.0-3.5 g)52.4%(54/103)cases obtained CR.The main adverse reactions were bone mar- row inhibition and secondary infection.Conclusion FLAG regimen is an effective and safe therapeutic option for refractory or relapsed AML with tolerance of the majority.