Role of maintenance chemotherapy in acute promyelocytic leukemia

The effect of maintenance chemotherapy on remission duration was analyzed in 39 of 70 patients (56%) with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) who achieved complete remission on induction chemotherapy. Overall, the median remission duration was 26 months, with a 3‐year remission rate of 42%. The 3‐year remission rate was significantly higher in patients who received 6‐mercaptopurine and methotrexate (POMP) during maintenance, compared with those who did not (56% versus 30%; P < 0.01), and in patients who received long‐term maintenance therapy (P < 0.01). A multivariate regression analysis selected maintenance therapy with POMP to be the only statistically significant factor associated with long‐term remission duration. The type of maintenance chemotherapy is important in overall prognosis of patients with APL, and should be investigated further.

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