Abstract: Objective To investigate the remission and efficacy for higher-dose daunorubicin applied in induction-therapy for elder acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Methods 123 elder patients with acute myeloid leukemia were chosen to be randomly assigned to receive first induction therapy including cytarabine, at a dose of 100 mg per day by continuous infusion for 7 days, plus daunorubicin for 3 days, at the conventional dose of 30 mg per square meter (41patients), at the conventional dose of 45 mg per square meter (41patients) and at an escalated dose of 60 mg per square meter (41 patients). The primary end point was two year event-free survival. Adverse reactions and complete remission rate were analyzed. Results In the higher- dose daunorubicin group, the complete remission time, rates and event-free survival were better than the conventional dose group (P < 0.05); There was no significant difference between the groups in the incidence of hematologic toxic effects. Conclusions Higher dose DNR can be optimal choice to induce elder AML to get remission.

Key words: higher-dose, daunorubicin, elder acute myeloid leukemia