New Findings on Aclarubicin in the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Since the introduction of new anthracycline derivatives and anthrachi­ none analogues a few years ago, aclacinomycin A (Aclarubicin) has become an established agent for the treatment of hematologic malig­ nancies. A special symposium was therefore held during the congress of the German Society of Hermatology and Oncology in Hannover in October 1989 to provide an up-to-date overv.iew. Leading experts from the United States, Sweden, and Germany reported on the results being obtained with aclacinomycin A, alone or combined with other agents, in patients with acute leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes. This book is based on their contributions. As regards single-agent treatment, aclacinomycin A in myelodys­ plastic syndromes is dealt with, as well as its application in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Four contributions are devoted to the use of aclacinomycin A in combination with conventional or intermediate­ dose cytosine arabinoside or etoposide in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia. The results reported indicate that aclacinomycin A has substantial activity in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. In summary, this book provides a valuable update on the current status of aclacinomycin A as used by experts in the treatment of he­ matologic malignancies.