Background :
About 60∼80% of previously untreated patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) achieve complete remission (CR) when treated with cytarabine and anthracycline. Anthracycline is one of the most important chemotherapeutic
agents in AML. It has been claimed that idarubicin showed superior complete remission rate than daunorubicin, which is not completely established. We evaluated idarubicin in combination with cytarabine (AI) as an induction chemotherapy in patient with AML.
Methods : Thirty one patients with newly diagnosed acute myelogenous leukemia were enrolled. Remission induction chemotherapy was consisted of cytarabine (100㎎/㎡Ⅳ over 24 hours on day 1∼7) and idarubicin (12㎎/㎡ Ⅳ over 30 minutes on
day 1∼3). After achievement of CR, patients underwent consolidation therapy with high- dose cytarabine and/or bone marrow transplantation.
Results :
Median age of the patients was 43 years (range; 17∼62) and M2 was the most common subtype. The CR rate was 71% (22/ 31). The median overall and disease-free survival were 67 weeks (95% confidence interval, CI; 43∼91) and 65 weeks
(95% CI; 26∼104), respectively with a median follow-up of 48 weeks. Major toxicities were fever and infection during the neutropenic period. There were three treatment-related mortalities. Causes of death were refractory AML in 1 patient and infection in 2 patients.
Conclusion :
AI induction chemotherapyseems to be effective and safe regimen as an induction chemotherapy in AML.

Keywords: Acute myelogenous leukemia, Induction chemotherapy, Cytarabine and Idarubicin