Use of high-dose cytarabine and L-asparaginase as consolidation therapy for childhood acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia

Eight children with previously untreated ANLL received an induction regimen consisting of daunomycin and ara-C. All patients achieved complete remission. Post-remission chemotherapy was ara-C 3 g/m2 given i.v. over 3 h, at 12-h intervals, for four doses, and L-asparaginase 6000 IU/m2 i.m. 3 h after the fourth infusion of ara-C; four cycles were given over a period of five to eight months. Two patients received additional treatment. All eight patients relapsed 2–14 months after the treatment was stopped. No benefit was demonstrated by consolidation treatment given with these modalities.