Outcomes of fludarabine, high dose cytarabine and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (FLAG) as re-induction for residual acute myeloid leukemia on day 14 bone marrow.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with intensive chemotherapy may require re-induction based on the evaluation of day 14 bone marrow biopsy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate adult patients with AML who received re-induction with fludarabine, high dose cytarabine and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (FLAG) regimen for residual disease (≥ 5% blasts by morphology) on day 14 bone marrow examination between September 2012 and July 2017 at our institution. RESULTS: We identified 27 patients who received FLAG therapy for treatment of residual disease on day 14 marrow examination following initial induction. The median age at diagnosis was 61 years and the majority of patients had poor risk AML. The overall response rate was 78% and 15 patients proceeded to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. CONCLUSION: The regimen was well tolerated and is a viable re-induction option for patients with residual disease on a day 14 bone marrow.

Duke Scholars

Author Harry Paul Erba Medicine, Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy