Reinduction Chemotherapy with Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin and Intermediate/High-Dose Cytarabine: A Single-Center Experience

We performed a retrospective analysis of 9 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) plus cytarabine as a salvage regimen (GO reinduction) for patients who did not achieve complete remission (CR) after the first cycle of induction chemotherapy or at first relapse. Cases of AML secondary to myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative disorder were included. CR was achieved in 6 of 9 patients, and 2 of 6 responders became long-term survivors. No non-responders survived longer than 6 months. Toxicity was mild, and the median duration of myelosuppression was less than 30 days. Stomatitis, nausea and sepsis occurred as non-hematological adverse events. Although our sample size was too small to permit definitive conclusions, GO reinduction should be considered for patients who relapse or do not achieve CR after the first cycle of induction chemotherapy. Some AML subtypes may respond more robustly than others, and further investigation is warranted.