Combination Therapy of Adult Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

IN 1964 Freireich et al.1 reported on the use of combination therapy in the treatment of childhood acute leukemia, using vincristine, amethopterin, 6-mercaptopurine and prednisone simultaneously ("VAMP" program). In their experience with 18 children, most of whom were suffering from acute lymphatic leukemia, 16 had complete clinical and hematologic remissions, and the duration of remission appeared prolonged when compared to that in cases treated by other methods.1 The results of current treatment for adult acute myelogenous leukemia in our clinic and elsewhere had been so poor that in June, 1963, we began using a combination drug regimen. Among the reasons . . .