Treatment-related deaths during induction and first remission of acute myeloid leukaemia in children treated on the Tenth Medical Research council Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Trial (MRC AML10)

Lynne C. Riley*, Ian M. Hann, Keith Wheatley, R. F. Stevens

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

109 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Between 1988 and 1995, 341 children with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) were treated on the Medical Research Council Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Trial (MRC AML10). The 5-year overall survival was 57%, much improved on previous trials. However, there were 47 deaths (13.8%), 11 of which were associated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The treatment-related mortality was significant at 13.8%, but decreased in the latter half of the trial from 17.8% in 1998-91 to 9.6% in 1992-95 (P=0.03%). The main causes of death were infection (65.9%), haemorrhage (19.1%) and cardiac failure (19.1%). Fungal infection was a significant problem, causing 23% of all infective deaths. Haemorrhage occurred early in treatment, in children with initial white cell counts >100x 109/l (P=0.001), and was more common in those with M4 and M5 morphology. Cardiac failure only occurred from the third course of chemotherapy onwards, with 78% (7/9) in conjunction with sepsis as a terminal event. Some deaths could be prevented by identifying those most at risk, and with prompt recognition and aggressive management of complications of treatment. Future options include the prophylactic use of antifungal agents, and the use of cardio-protectants or alternatives to conventional anthracyclines to decrease cardiac toxicity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)436-444
Number of pages9
JournalBritish Journal of Haematology
Volume106
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Oct 1999

Keywords

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Cardiac failure
  • Death
  • Haemorrhage
  • Infection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology

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