Chemotherapy of Acute Leukemia in Childhood

Abstract

THE Pediatric Division of the Southwest Cancer Chemotherapy Study Group has reported on the effectiveness of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) in inducing remissions in children with advanced acute leukemia.1 , 2 These preliminary results were particularly encouraging because cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent of the mustard group, was found to act independently of other antileukemic drugs: steroids; 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol, a purine antagonist); and methotrexate (a folic acid antagonist). It is also assumed to act with no crossresistance to vincristine (a periwinkle alkaloid). Subsequently, 137 patients with untreated acute leukemia were admitted to a Cooperative study to determine the effectiveness of cyclophosphamide at the beginning of . . .