A randomized clinical trial of daunorubicin and a combination of prednisone, vincristine, 6-mercaptopurine, and methotrexate in adult acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Twenty-two adult patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia received daunorubicin, and 21 received a combina tion of prednisone, vincristine, 6-mercaptopurine, and methotrexate in a randomized study. The single agent was superior to the combination in inducing complete remission (50 versus 28%). In addition, patients who completely responded to daunorubicin did so in a median of 19 days, whereas the median time to complete response with the combination of prednisone, vincristine, 6-mercaptopurine, and methotrexate was 64 days. Deaths during therapy were fewer with daunorubicin than with the combination of prednisone, vincristine, 6-mercaptopurine, and methotrexate (36%, as compared to 52%). Daunorubicin is a highly effective drug in the treatment of adults with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.