Post-remission treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia
Article Abstract:
Optimum treatment strategies for acute myelogenous leukemia patients who are in remission have yet to be developed, despite some advances in the understanding of bone marrow transplants and the use of chemotherapy. Allogenic bone marrow transplant, in which a patient receives marrow from a sibling, has a four-year survival rate of around 50%, but is limited to patients under 50 for whom a suitable donor can be located. Autologous transplants, in which a patient's marrow is removed, purified, then retransplanted, can be used with older patients, but the recovery time is long and dangerous. Aggressive chemotherapy may be as effective as either of these transplant methods, and could be used in combination with bone marrow transplantation in some patients.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1995
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Acute myeloid leukemia
Article Abstract:
Advances in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) include targeting chemotherapy to the specific malignant cell, the use of hematopoietic growth factors, and drugs to prevent resistance to chemotherapy. AML occurs when a type of blood cells called myeloid cells do not mature properly and the number of immature cells increases. Treatments include chemotherapy with daunorubicin and cytarabine. Bone marrow transplants from relatives are also effective. Stem cell transplants were developed in the 1990s and are effective in many patients. Hematopoietic growth factors are used to boost the immune system after chemotherapy.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1999
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Minimal residual disease in chronic myeloid leukemia
Article Abstract:
There are blood tests using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that can detect the presence of cancerous cells even when they are present in small quantities. This condition is called minimal residual disease. The test will allow doctors to eliminate cancer cells completely in many patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2003
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