A real-world study of infectious complications of venetoclax combined with decitabine or azacitidine in adult acute myeloid leukemia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence, sites and main pathogens, and risk factors for infectious complications occurring in patients with adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) during the first course of venetoclax combined with decitabine or azacitidine. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed of 81 patients with AML older than 14 years who received the first cycle of venetoclax combined with a hypomethylating agent (HMA) between March 2018 and March 2021 at our institution. Infectious complications, if any, were documented. RESULTS: Among a total of 81 cases of AML, 59 (72.8%) patients occurred infections, including fever without an identifiable source (28.8%), clinically documented infections (40.7%), and microbiologically documented infections (30.5%). The most commonly isolated organism in culture was Candida albicans, followed by Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The 4-week and 8-week mortality rates were 3.7% and 7.4%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, a high proportion of blasts in bone marrow, decreased hemoglobin level, and fever with or without a documented infection at baseline were significant independent risk factors for infectious complications. CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional chemotherapy, the incidence of infectious complications of venetoclax combined with decitabine or azacitidine significantly decreased. Pretreatment high leukemia burden and fever were independent risk factors for infections.

CDKN2A deletions are associated with poor outcomes in 101 adults with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The identification of genetic risk subgroups of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) may provide evidence for risk stratification and individualized treatment. We investigated the characteristics and prognostic value of tumor suppressor gene CDKN2A deletions in 101 patients with T-ALL. The CDKN2A deletion was present in 23% (23/101) of T-ALL by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The most common type of CDKN2A deletion was homozygous deletion (70%, 16/23). A lower frequency of CDKN2A deletion was found in patients with early T-cell precursor (ETP) ALL than in patients with non-ETP-ALL (10.4% vs 34.0%; P = .008). Deletion of CDKN2A was significantly associated with younger age (P = .001), higher white blood cell (WBC) count (P < .001) and higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (P = .002). Patients with CDKN2A deletion had lower 2-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates than patients without CDKN2A deletion (2-year OS: 18.6% ± 8.9% vs 47.4% ± 6.2%, P = .032; EFS: 16.4 ± 8.3 vs 38.6 ± 5.9%, P = .022). In multivariable analysis, CDKN2A deletion was an independent adverse prognostic factor for OS (P = .016). In conclusion, adult T-ALL patients with CDKN2A deletion had a poor prognosis, and these patients might benefit from intensive chemotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

Homoharringtonine-based induction regimens for patients with de-novo acute myeloid leukaemia: a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Homoharringtonine-based induction regimens have been widely used in China for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. However, their efficacy has not been tested in a multicentre randomised controlled trial in a large population. We assessed the efficacy and safety of homoharringtonine-based induction treatment for management of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia. METHODS: This open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 study was done in 17 institutions in China between September, 2007, and July, 2011. Untreated patients aged 14-59 years with acute myeloid leukaemia were randomly assigned (by a computer-generated allocation schedule without stratification) to receive one of three induction regimens in a 1:1:1 ratio: homoharringtonine 2 mg/m(2) per day on days 1-7, cytarabine 100 mg/m(2) per day on days 1-7, and aclarubicin 20 mg/day on days 1-7 (HAA); homoharringtonine 2 mg/m(2) per day on days 1-7, cytarabine 100 mg/m(2) per day on days 1-7, and daunorubicin 40 mg/m(2) per day on days 1-3 (HAD); or daunorubicin 40-45 mg/m(2) per day on days 1-3 and cytarabine 100 mg/m(2) per day on days 1-7 (DA). Patients in complete remission were offered two cycles of intermediate-dose cytarabine (2 g/m(2) every 12 h on days 1-3). The primary endpoints were the proportion of patients who achieved complete remission after two cycles of induction treatment and event-free survival in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Register, number ChiCTR-TRC-06000054. FINDINGS: We enrolled 620 patients, of whom 609 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. 150 of 206 patients (73%) in the HAA group achieved complete remission versus 125 of 205 (61%) in the DA group (p=0.0108); 3-year event-free survival was 35.4% (95% CI 28.6-42.2) versus 23.1% (95% CI 17.4-29.3; p=0.0023). 133 of 198 patients (67%) in the HAD group had complete remission (vs DA, p=0·20) and 3-year event-free survival was 32.7% (95% CI 26.1-39.5; vs DA, p=0.08). Adverse events were much the same in all groups, except that more patients in the HAA (12 of 206 [5.8%]) and HAD (13 of 198 [6.6%]) groups died within 30 days than in the DA group (two of 205 [1%]; p=0.0067 vs HAA; p=0.0030 vs HAD). INTERPRETATION: A regimen of homoharringtonine, cytarabine, and aclarubicin is a treatment option for young, newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. FUNDING: Chinese National High Tech Programme, Key Special Research Foundation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, National Nature Science Foundation of China, National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Project.

Successful Treatment of Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease With Rash as the Initial Symptom Using a Rituximab-Based Regimen.

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by enlarged lymph nodes and systemic inflammation, often involving multiple organ dysfunction. However, cutaneous involvement in iMCD is rare and heterogeneous, and studies on the treatment of iMCD with skin involvement are scarce. Here, we present a rare case of iMCD with prominent facial skin involvement, which showed significant improvement with rituximab-based regimen treatment.

[Relationship between clinical characteristics and myelodysplastic syndrome patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase gene mutations].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH 1 and IDH2) gene mutations in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. METHODS: Pretreatment bone marrow specimens were enriched for mononuclear cells in 108 adult patients with de novo MDS from January 2006 to August 2012. Genomic DNA was extracted from mononuclear cells. And PCR and direct sequencing were performed to sequence exon 4 of IDH gene. RESULTS: IDH mutations were discovered in 11 MDS patients (10.19%, 11/108) and all were heterozygous. The frequencies of IDH1 and IDH2 mutations were 5.56% (6/108) and 4.63% (5/108) respectively. Only one type of IDH1 mutation (c.394C→, p.R132C) was identified in our cohort. All IDH2 mutations caused the changes of R140 (c.419G→A, p.R140Q). However IDH2 R172 mutation was not detected. The combined mutations of IDH1 and IDH2 were not simultaneously observed in the same patient. The prevalence of IDH mutation was higher in advanced-stage MDS than those early-stage MDS patients. Mutated and wild-type groups had significantly difference in bone marrow blast percentage (median 12.5% vs 6.0%, P = 0.013) at diagnosis, but not in white blood cell count, hemoglobin level and platelet count, etc. In the normal karyotype group, the frequencies of IDH mutations were as similar as those in the abnormal karyotype group (10.61% (7/66) vs 10.00% (4/40), P > 0.05). The median follow-up time was 472 d, our data indicated that IDH mutations were correlated with poor overall survival (median time 512 vs 740 d, P = 0.017). IDH mutations were also an inferiorly predictive factor in the intermediate-1 group patients of International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) (median survival time 512 d vs not reached, P = 0.038). There was also better efficacies than other treatments in IDH mutation positive patients (median survival time 623 vs 165 d, P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: IDH mutation is a vital biomarker for better risk stratification of MDS patients with and improving IPSS. Hypomethylation agents may be effective for treating IDH mutation positive patients.

[The efficacy and safety of HAA regimen as induction chemotherapy in 150 newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of HAA regimen (homoharringtonine, cytarabine and aclarubicin) in the treatment of 150 newly diagnosed adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: All patients entered the study from May 1999 to June 2008 were treated with HAA regimen. Cox-survival analysis was used to estimate the survival rate and differences between M(1)/M(2) and M(4)/M(5) were compared with 2-sided log-rank test. RESULTS: Out of the 150 patients, 121 (81%) achieved complete remission (CR). After the first course, CR rate was 68%. The CR rates of 97%, 84% and 38% were achieved in patients with favorable, intermediate and unfavorable cytogenetics, respectively. For the patients with CR, the median follow-up time was 16.5 (1.5 - 100.5) months, and the estimated 3-year survival rate was 45%. The estimated 3-year relapse free survival rate was 52% for the 121 patients with CR. CONCLUSIONS: HAA regimen may be an efficacious and safe regimen with a good toleration in the induction therapy for newly diagnosed AML, and a high CR rate could be achieved with only one or two courses.

Decitabine combined with low dose idarubicin and cytarabine (D-IA) followed by allo-HSCT improves acute myeloid leukemia and higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome patient outcomes: results from a retrospective study.

Treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy is a major challenge for clinicians. We enrolled 154 patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy who were prescribed D-IA regimen (decitabine 15-20 mg/m2 days 1 to 3-5, followed by idarubicin 3 mg/m2 for 5-7 days and cytarabine 30 mg/m2 for 7-14 days). For AML and MDS patients, the overall response rate after two cycles was 66.4% and 76.6%, respectively, and the 2-year overall survival rates were 29% and 31%, respectively. Fourteen (13.1%) AML and five (10.6%) MDS patients underwent allo-HSCT after complete remission. The allo-HSCT group survival time was significantly longer than the control group (median survival time not reached in HSCT group, 13 and 18.5 months in non-HSCT AML and MDS group). We concluded that D-IA regimen was effective and well tolerated for patients with AML or higher-risk MDS ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

Comparison of Early T-Cell Precursor and Non-ETP Subtypes Among 122 Chinese Adults With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Background: Adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a rare hematological malignancy and significantly linked to poor outcomes. Early T-cell precursor (ETP) leukemia is a unique subtype of T-ALL. The aim of this study is to compare the differences between ETP and non-ETP ALLs in China. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 122 adult T-ALL patients diagnosed and treated at our center between January 2014 and June 2019. All the patients enrolled were categorized into ETP and non-ETP ALL by immunophenotype, and further statistical analyses about clinical data and prognostic factors were performed. Results: Among the 122 cases, the male-to-female ratio was 2.8:1, and the median age is 29 (range, 16-82) years. Except for 10 patients with insufficient immunophenotyping results, 47.3% (53/112) are ETP and 52.7% (59/112) are non-ETP. Compared with non-ETP patients, ETP-ALL patients had lower white blood cell counts and lactate dehydrogenase levels, while they were older and had higher platelet counts and fibrinogen levels (all p < 0.05). Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 68.0% (83/122) of patients, 64.2 and 76.3% in ETP and non-ETP, respectively (p = 0.160). In total, 44.6% (37/83) of patients relapsed. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) was successfully performed in 36.1% (44/122) of patients, of which 79.5% (35/44) were in CR1. With a median follow-up of 9.1 (range, 0.5-70.3) months, the estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates for the cohort were 38.0 ± 5.1 and 39.1 ± 6.3%, respectively. In the ETP group, the 2-year OS rate was 40.7 ± 8.2% and the RFS rate was 47.2 ± 10.7%, while in the non-ETP group, the 2-year OS rate was 37.9 ± 7.0% and the RFS rate was 39.2 ± 8.3% (both p > 0.05). In the landmark analysis of CR1 patients who had a survival of more than 6 months, the allo-SCT group had significantly better survival outcomes than the chemotherapy group, and the 2-year OS rates and RFS rates were 80.1 ± 7.3 vs. 28.4 ± 8.4% and 68.9 ± 8.8 vs. 12.8 ± 7.2%, respectively (both p < 0.0001). A multivariate analysis suggests that allo-SCT acts as an independent prognostic factor for both OS and RFS. Conclusions: Our results revealed that ETP accounted for a high proportion of T-ALL in Chinese. There are no CR rates and prognosis differences between ETP and non-ETP. Allo-SCT in CR1 can significantly improve patients' survival.

A novel prognostic scoring model for newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia.

FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) is one of the most common somatic mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the molecular structure characteristics and widely accepted prognostic factors for FLT3-ITD are still not well described. This study aimed to retrospectively examine 81 patients with FLT3-ITD-positive AML diagnosed and treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University from December 2013 to March 2018 using the next-generation sequencing 185-gene platform. High variant allele frequency (VAF) [> 0.48, P = 0.0089 for overall survival (OS), P = 0.13 for relapse-free survival (RFS)], multiple ITDs (> 1 ITDs, P = 0.011 for OS, P = 0.033 for RFS) and longer insertion length (> 69 bp, P = 0.14 for OS, P = 0.0078 for RFS) predicted poor survival. The study further proposed an easily applicable scoring model for OS using the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selector Operation (LASSO) Cox regression model. Also, an independent cohort of 30 patients was used for external model validation. The mode was expressed as follows: 0.659 × FLT3-ITD VAF + 0.375 × FLT3-ITD number + 0.807 × Age + 0.688 × DNMT3A + 1.939 × U2AF1 (FLT3-ITD VAF > 0.48 scored 1; FLT3-ITD number scored 1 if carried 1 ITD, 2 if carried ≥ 2 ITDs; age > 44 years scored 1, the presence of DNMT3A or U2AF1 scored 1; 0 for other conditions). It categorized patients into low-risk (L-R, score < 1, n = 20) and high-risk (H-R, score ≥ 1, n = 61) groups based on the risk score with a significant difference in survival (3-year OS, P < 0.0001; 3-year RFS, P = 0.0005). A prognostic nomogram that integrated these five factors was developed with a concordance index calculation [OS: 0.68, 95% CI (0.64-0.72)].

Bortezomib in treatment of extramedullary plasmacytoma of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: Extramedullary pancreatic plasmacytoma treated with bortezomib is rarely reported. METHODS: We admitted a 53-year-old woman with an asymptomatic mass above the left clavicle for over three months, then an asymptomatic swelling of the pancreas was found. A biopsy on the mass and a fine needle aspiration of the pancreas were performed. The diagnosis of extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) was made. The patient was initially treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (VAD regimen). She progressed to painless jaundice during the chemotherapy. Then she was treated with bortezomib and hyper-dose dexamethasone. As a result, she had a near complete remission. RESULTS: The data demonstrated that the diagnosis was EMP of the pancreas. The patient responded very well to bortezomib, while failing to respond to the traditional chemotherapy regimen of VAD. CONCLUSION: EMP of the pancreas is rare. This case gives evidence for an excellent response of EMP of the pancreas to bortezomib.

Salvage tigecycline in high risk febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies: a prospective multicenter study.

The purpose of this prospective, multi-center study was to examine the efficacy and safety of tigecycline as empirical treatment in neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies who failed to respond to first-line antibiotics. A total of 125 patients with persistent fever (>72 h) despite first-line antibiotics received empirical treatment with tigecycline (loading dose of 100 mg, followed by 50 mg every 12 h). The use of other antimicrobial agents was not restricted. Treatment success rate was 68.0%. Subgroup analysis revealed a success rate of 73.1% in patients with pneumonia and 35.3% in patients with bacteremia. Toxicities were moderate with gastrointestinal symptoms being the main side effects. In conclusion, tigecycline-based antibacterial regimen was a justifiable empirical treatment in febrile neutropenic patients who failed to respond to first-line antibiotics except those with bacteremia. For patients with bacteremia, trials on higher-dose of tigecycline are needed.

[Therapeutic Efficacy of VICP+L-ASP/TKI on Adult Patients with B-ALL].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of VICP+L-ASP/TKI on adult patients with B-ALL and to explore the influence factors. METHODS: Forty-one adult B-ALL patients treated with VICP+L-ASP/TKI from August 2008 to June 2014 were following-up. The complete remission(CR) rate, toxicity, overall survival(OS) and event free survival(EFS) after induction treatment were analyzed, the therapeutic outcome of patients between different risk stratification subgroups was compared, the influence of standardized consolidatory and maintaining treatment as well as allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) on survival time was analyzed. RESULTS: The early death not occurred in 41 patients with B-ALL including 37 cases with CR; the CR rate of 1 course treatment was 90.2%. The follow-up time lasted to March 17, 2015, the median follow-up time was 25(9-79) months; the 1 year OS rate was 75.3%, the EFS rate was 58.3%. Analysis of risk factors showed that the initial WBC count over 30×109/L, LDH over 250 U/L and minimal residual disease(MRD) over 10-4 after treatment were poor prognostic factors. After remission, the standardized consolidatory treatment or allo-HSCT according to the "2012 China adult ALL diagnosis and treatment expert consensus" could improve long-term survival, 3 years OS rate was 73.8% and 61.5% respectively, 3 years EFS were 63.5% and 65.7% respectively. The main toxic and side effects were hematologic reactions, the hematologic adverse reaction of IV grade was observed in 97.6%(40/41) during induction treatment. CONCLUSION: Induction chemotherapy based on VICP+L-ASP/TKI and standardized consolidatory after remission according to the "2012 China adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis and treatment expert consensus" can improve the therapeutic efficacy. The allo-HSCT should be actively performed for B-ALL paients with high risk(elevated initial WBC count and LDH level); at some time, the regularly monitoring MRD and adjusting therapeutic protocol according to monitoring result can promote the prognosis of adult B-ALL patients.

Epigenetic priming with decitabine followed by low-dose idarubicin/cytarabine has an increased anti-leukemic effect compared to traditional chemotherapy in high-risk myeloid neoplasms.

Decitabine (DAC) is commonly used for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Previous studies have indicated DAC sequentially combined with idarubicin was an effective treatment for myeloid neoplasms. Therefore, a clinical study was conducted of the sequential combination of DAC followed by low-dose idarubicin/cytarabine in high-risk myeloid neoplasms. A total of 30 patients with a diagnosis of high-risk MDS, AML evolving from MDS or relapsed/refractory AML were enrolled in the study. DAC was administered 20 mg/m(2) daily for 3 consecutive days. Idarubicin (3 mg/m(2)/day) was administered 24 h after the last administration of DAC for 5-7 consecutive days, combined with cytarabine (30 mg/m(2)/day) for 7-14 days. The overall complete remission rate was 66.67%. The results demonstrate that epigenetic priming with decitabine followed by low-dose idarubicin/ytarabine has an increased anti-leukemia effect compared to traditional chemotherapy in high-risk myeloid neoplasms.

Hemolytic anemia as first presentation of Wilson's disease with uncommon ATP7B mutation.

Wilson's disease (WD) is a rare inherited disorder of copper metabolism and the main manifestations are liver and brain disorders. Hemolytic anemia is an unusual complication of WD. We describe a 15-year-old girl who developed hemolytic anemia as the first manifestation of Wilson's disease. An Arg952Lys mutation was found in exon 12 of the ATP7B gene, which is uncommon among Chinese Han individuals. From this case and reviews, we can achieve a better understanding of WD. Besides, we may conclude that the probable diagnosis of WD should be considered in young patients with unexplained hemolytic anemia, especially in patients with hepatic and/or neurologic disorder.

Long-term remission induced by low-dose rituximab for relapsed and refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A report of two cases.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is acquired in the majority of cases. Traditional therapy consists of plasma exchange (PEX), as well as the administration of certain immunosuppressive agents including steroids. A standard dose of rituximab (RTX) at 375 mg/m2 weekly for 4 consecutive weeks was recently demonstrated to have significant activity in patients with acquired TTP. To date, clinicians have limited experience using low-dose RTX. In the present study, 2 patients were treated with low-dose RTX at 100 mg weekly for 4 consecutive weeks as a salvage therapy following failure to respond to PEX and other immunosuppressive agents. Prior to RTX therapy, the patients had severely deficient ADAMTS13 activity and detectable anti-ADAMTS13 inhibitors. The patients achieved complete remission and presented long-term stabilization during follow-up. Repeated detection during follow-up demonstrated that the patients had 100% ADAMTS13 activity and undetectable anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies. Although further investigation in a prospective clinical trial is required, the use of low-dose RTX seems to be as effective as a standard dose for patients with relapsing or refractory acquired TTP.

Impact of Chemotherapy Delay on Overall Survival for AML with IDH1/2 Mutations: A Study in Adult Chinese Patients.

The effect of time from diagnosis to treatment (TDT) on overall survival of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains obscure. Furthermore, whether chemotherapy delay impacts overall survival (OS) of patients with a special molecular subtype has not been investigated. Here, we enrolled 364 cases of AML to assess the effect of TDT on OS by fractional polynomial regression in the context of clinical parameters and genes of FLT3ITD, NPM1, CEBPA, DNMT3a, and IDH1/2 mutations. Results of the current study show IDH1/2 mutations are associated with older age, M0 morphology, an intermediate cytogenetic risk group, and NPM1 mutations. TDT associates with OS for AML patients in a nonlinear pattern with a J shape. Moreover, adverse effect of delayed treatment on OS was observed in patients with IDH1/2 mutations, but not in those with IDH1/2 wildtype. Therefore, initiating chemotherapy as soon as possible after diagnosis might be a potential strategy to improve OS in AML patients with IDH1/2 mutations.

[Inhibition effect of arsenic trioxide on the growth of human MDS cell line MUTZ-1 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibition effect of arsenic trioxide (AS(2)O(3)) on the growth of human MDS-RAEB cell line MUTZ-1 cells and to explore the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The apoptosis and differentiation of MUTZ-1 cells induced by AS(2)O(3) solution of different concentrations were studied with cell morphology, MTT, DNA fragmentation assay, RT-PCR, Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction method and flow cytometry. RESULT: (1) Low concentration ofAS(2)O(3) (0.05 - 0.25 micromol/L) had no marked growth inhibition effect on MUTZ-1 cells; after 14 d treatment, it down-regulated the expression of positive cell differentiation antigens CD38, CD7, CD10, HLA-DR (P<0.05), but did not up-regulate the expression of CD11b (P>0.05). (2) After treatment with 1.0 - 20.0 micromol/L of AS(2)O(3), MUTZ-1 cells presented typical features of apoptosis with a dose dependent manner (r=-0.999, P<0.05). The expression of bcl-2 mRNA and the ration of bcl-2/bax were decreased after AS(2)O(3) treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Low concentration of (2)O(3) may have partial differentiation inducement on MUTZ-1 cells. With a certain range of dose (1.0 - 20.0 micromol/L), (2)O(3) can induce apoptosis of MUTZ-1 cells. (2)O(3) can significantly down-regulate bcl-2 and it might be one of the mechanisms of (2)O(3) treatment.

[Efficacy and safety of the HAA regimen as induction chemotherapy in 236 de novo acute myeloid leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the HAA regimen (homoharringtonine, cytarabine and aclarubicin) as induction chemotherapy in de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: The efficacy and safety of 236 de novo AML patients who received the HAA regimen as induction chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The complete remission (CR) rate was assayed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and relapse free survival (RFS), and the differences were compared by Log-rank test. RESULTS: The overall CR rate was 78.0%, and 65.7% of the patients attained CR in the first induction cycle. The early death rate was 4.7%. The median followup time was 41(1-161) months. The estimated 5-year OS and 5-year RFS rates were 44.9% and 45.5%, respectively. The CR rates of patients with favorable, intermediate and unfavorable cytogenetics were 92.9%,78.6%and 41.7%, respectively. The 5-year OS of favorable and intermediate group were 61.1% and 45.1%, respectively. The 5- year RFS of favorable and intermediate group were 49.0% and 45.4%, respectively. The median survival time of unfavorable group was only 5 months. The side effects associated with the HAA regimen were tolerable, in which the most common toxicities were myelosuppression and infection. CONCLUSION: The HAA regimen is associated with a higher rate of CR and longer survival time and its toxicity could be tolerated.