MEC (mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine) induces complete remission and is an effective bridge to transplant in acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract Introduction Clinical response and chemosensitivity of relapse or refractory AML patients were evaluated after rescue and bridge‐to‐transplant MEC (mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine) regimen. Methods and Patients Fifty‐five consecutive AML patients were treated with MEC from 2009 to 2018. Chemosensitivity was evaluated by WT1 quantification. Results 27/55 patients (49.1%) had AML resistant to induction and 28/55 patients (50.9%) had AML relapse. 25/55 patients (45.5%) achieved a CR after one course of MEC, and 12 patients (21.8%) achieved WT1 negativity. In 12 patients, a second MEC was administered. Four out of 12 patients improved significantly their response with the 2nd MEC. MEC was an effective bridge to transplant, 32/55 patients (58.2%) received an allogenic stem cell transplant. Median overall survival (OS) from MEC was 455 days (95% CI 307‐602 days.); patient with WT1 negative CR had the best OS ( P <.000). Conclusion WT1 is a useful marker of chemosensitivity after MEC as rescue and bridge‐to‐transplant therapy.