Experience with four consecutive BFM-based protocols for treatment of childhood with non-promyelocytic acute myeloblastic leukemia in Argentina

Childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) achieves event-free-survival (EFS) rates of approximate to 50%. Double induction phase has been introduced for improving these results. Four consecutive protocols for AML treatment were evaluated to assess the impact of the addition of a second induction course in our setting. From January 1990 to January 2014, 307 evaluable AML patients were accrued. They were classified into low-risk (LR) and high-risk (HR) according to cytogenetic/molecular findings and response on day 15. The first two studies administered one induction cycle while the latter two protocols administered double induction. Relapse was the most frequent event and early-deaths were reduced by 50% in the last protocol. Statistically significant differences were observed when comparing EFS in LR and HR groups. Patients from both risk-groups who received double induction achieved significantly better outcome. EFS improved in protocols with double induction and early-deaths rate was decreased. Cytogenetic/molecular features and early-response were confirmed as prognostic factors.