The immunotherapy of acute myelogenous leukaemia using intravenous BCG. 1977

J A Whittaker, and A J Slater

In a 2-year period, 37 of 81 adults with acute myelogenous leukaemia achieved complete remission after repeated courses of Daunorubicin (DNR) and Cytosine Arabinoside (ARAC). They were randomized to maintenance treatment with monthly DNR/ARAC, or to identical chemotherapy plus intravenous BCG. Eighteen BCG treated patients had significantly longer survival times than 19 patients treated with chemotherapy only although no statistically significant difference can be seen in the remission duration of the two groups. Eleven patients in the BCG treated group who have relapsed, have received DNR/ARAC reinduction and five second and two third remissions have been obtained. Twelve control group patients have relapsed and 10 have received further reinduction treatment with DNR/ARAC but only one patient has entered a complete remission. Seven patients in the BCG treated group who survived for 75 weeks or more (76, 76, 96, 124, 125, 138 and 145 weeks) were either PPD positive before treatment or converted to PPD positivity after BCG treatment. Using a battery of skin tests it may be possible to define a good prognostic group of patients and design future treatment accordingly. The BCG group had a total of 198 intravenous treatments. All patients had pyrexia 6-12 h after injection lasting 12-72 h and occasionally headaches and muscle pains. Two patients had non-fatal anaphylactic reactions which did not recur when BCG was subsequently re-administered. Other complications of BCG therapy were not a problem and we have not needed to withdraw treatment for any patient.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007275 Injections, Intravenous Injections made into a vein for therapeutic or experimental purposes. Intravenous Injections,Injection, Intravenous,Intravenous Injection
D007951 Leukemia, Myeloid Form of leukemia characterized by an uncontrolled proliferation of the myeloid lineage and their precursors (MYELOID PROGENITOR CELLS) in the bone marrow and other sites. Granulocytic Leukemia,Leukemia, Granulocytic,Leukemia, Myelocytic,Leukemia, Myelogenous,Myelocytic Leukemia,Myelogenous Leukemia,Myeloid Leukemia,Leukemia, Monocytic, Chronic,Monocytic Leukemia, Chronic,Chronic Monocytic Leukemia,Chronic Monocytic Leukemias,Granulocytic Leukemias,Leukemia, Chronic Monocytic,Leukemias, Chronic Monocytic,Leukemias, Granulocytic,Leukemias, Myelocytic,Leukemias, Myelogenous,Leukemias, Myeloid,Monocytic Leukemias, Chronic,Myelocytic Leukemias,Myelogenous Leukemias,Myeloid Leukemias
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D012075 Remission, Spontaneous A spontaneous diminution or abatement of a disease over time, without formal treatment. Spontaneous Healing,Spontaneous Regression,Spontaneous Remission,Healing, Spontaneous,Regression, Spontaneous,Spontaneous Healings,Spontaneous Regressions
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D003561 Cytarabine A pyrimidine nucleoside analog that is used mainly in the treatment of leukemia, especially acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia. Cytarabine is an antimetabolite antineoplastic agent that inhibits the synthesis of DNA. Its actions are specific for the S phase of the cell cycle. It also has antiviral and immunosuppressant properties. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p472) Ara-C,Arabinofuranosylcytosine,Arabinosylcytosine,Cytosine Arabinoside,Aracytidine,Aracytine,Cytarabine Hydrochloride,Cytonal,Cytosar,Cytosar-U,beta-Ara C,Ara C,Arabinoside, Cytosine,Cytosar U,beta Ara C
D003630 Daunorubicin A very toxic anthracycline aminoglycoside antineoplastic isolated from Streptomyces peucetius and others, used in treatment of LEUKEMIA and other NEOPLASMS. Daunomycin,Rubidomycin,Rubomycin,Cerubidine,Dauno-Rubidomycine,Daunoblastin,Daunoblastine,Daunorubicin Hydrochloride,NSC-82151,Dauno Rubidomycine,Hydrochloride, Daunorubicin,NSC 82151,NSC82151
D004359 Drug Therapy, Combination Therapy with two or more separate preparations given for a combined effect. Combination Chemotherapy,Polychemotherapy,Chemotherapy, Combination,Combination Drug Therapy,Drug Polytherapy,Therapy, Combination Drug,Chemotherapies, Combination,Combination Chemotherapies,Combination Drug Therapies,Drug Polytherapies,Drug Therapies, Combination,Polychemotherapies,Polytherapies, Drug,Polytherapy, Drug,Therapies, Combination Drug
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000208 Acute Disease Disease having a short and relatively severe course. Acute Diseases,Disease, Acute,Diseases, Acute

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