Results of treatment of childhood ANLL remained unsatisfactory for a long time, and introduction of a new drug seemed justified as the EFS achieved in this disease between 1993-97 was 42%. In 1998 a new protocol containing idarubicine in dose 12 mg/m2 (each dose regardless of treatment phase) was introduced. Between 1998 and 2001, 137 children with ANLL were referred to nine participating centers of PPLLSG. Thirty nine were uneligible, so 98 were evaluated. Among them 56 were qualified to standard risk group (SRG) and 35 to high risk group (HRG). In 7 children the risk group was not established due to early death. Remission rate was 79% in the whole group and 98% and 63% in SRG and HRG, respectively. The actuarial 3-year overall survival (OS), 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and 3-year event-free interval (EFI) are respectively: In the whole group 61%, 54% and 67%; in SRG 81%, 70% and 71%; in HRG 40%, 40%, and 53%.
Conclusions: Due to introduction if idarubicine significant improvement of the results was achieved in SRG (better OS, EFS and EFI). Better new treatment methods are required in HRG.