The effectiveness of three different 7 + 3 induction regimes in China: A retrospective analysis in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Objectives: In China, for economic reasons, induction regimes for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often involve domestically produced idarubicin (IDA) rather than imported IDA. Our objective was to compare the effectiveness of induction regimens in combination with cytarabine; involving imported or domestic IDA, or daunorubicin (DNR).

Methods: The study was conducted from 1st July 2012 to 30th November 2015 at Baoding No.1 Central Hospital. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed AML admitted to Baoding First Central Hospital, China. Patients were divided into three groups according to their treatment regimen: the IA-imported group, the IA-domestic group, and the DNR group. Clinical data, complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), non-remission (NR) rates, and side effects were compared.

Results: Total 282 patients were enrolled, including 123 patients in the IA-imported group, 98 in the IA-domestic group and 61 in the DNR group. The IA-domestic and IA-imported groups’ remission rates were similar (P=0.123) but significantly different from the DNR group (both P<0.05). Side effects were similar in all three groups and no severe side effects were reported.

Conclusion: Cytarabine induction regimens showed similar remission rates in combination with IDA produced in China compared to imported IDA and were more effective than DNR.