ABSTRACT
We report the therapeutic results obtained in 28 children, aged less than 16 years, suffering from novo acute myeloid leukaemia [AML], collected and followed up during a period of 7 years [1996-2002]. Diagnosis and cytologic type were established according the Franco-Americano-British [FAB] cooperative group criteria. All of the patients received the same induction therapy, the so-called 7 + 3 regimen which associates aracytine for 7 days to an anthracyclin [daunorubicine or idarubicine] for three days. When a complete remission [CR] was obtained, a consolidation therapy was administered, consisting of two courses of aracytine associated to daunorubicin in the first course and to vepeside in the second one. Complete remission was obtained in 60 percent of the cases. Death rate during the induction phase was of 28 percent. Among the CR patients, 71 percent relapsed. Relapse was rapid [< 12 months] in 67 percent of the cases; it was medullary and neuro meningeal in two patients. Median survival, disease-free survival and event-free survival at 5 years were respectively of 35 percent, 11 percent and 13 percent. Event-free survival at 5 years was better in patients treated with high dose aracytine [20 percent] than in those treated with low dose [12 percent]. However, in the first [high dose] group, hematologic and extrahematologic toxicities were more important