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Acute myeloid leukemia in Italian MS patients treated with mitoxantrone



Summary: The Italian Mitoxantrone group report data following their evaluation of the incidence and dose-dependency of mitoxantrone (MTX)-associated acute myelocytic leukemia (AML)

This multicentre study was performed retrospectively and incorporates data from 3,220 patients (63% women) from 40 Italian MS centres. 30 cases of AML in total were identified and as might be expected the mean cumulative dose of MTX was higher in patients with AML. The median interval from the start of therapy to AML diagnosis was longer than expected at 33 months and the rate of mortality associated with AML was 37%.

The study has identified a higher than expected risk of AML and related mortality in MS patients treated with MTX and the authors recommend that given that AML onset can be quite delayed, exposed MS patients must be monitored for hematologic abnormalities for at least 6 years from the end of therapy.... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... pageid/698

Well at least this was one drug my dr did not want to use! He said it was because of the heart problems it caused though. He said if I had one more really bad flare up he would consider it at half dosing. I think he forgot he said it.