Efficacy of G-CSF-Priming in Elderly AML Patients

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of de-novo AML, FAB M0, 1, 2, 4-7 or
• Diagnosis of secondary AML after previous chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy or after preceeding MDS or
• Diagnosis of an advanced MDS, i.e. RAEB-t according to the FAB classification or
• Extramedullary AML (chloroma, "granulocytic sarcoma")
• Age greater than 60 years (not including 60 years)
• ECOG performance status 0, 1, or 2
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a t(15;17) translocation
• Patients with severe cardiac disease (e.g. cardiac failure NYHA III/IV, myocardial infarction within the last 6 months; severe ventricular arrythmias (Lown III or IV)
• Patients with severe complications of the leukemia such as uncontrolled bleeding, pneumonia with hypoxia or shock.
• Severe pulmonary disease (diffusion capacity for CO2 of less than 50%)
• Significant renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance < 60/min/min)
• Bilirubin > 2mg% (>34.2 mmol/l)
• Patients with a clinically active second malignancy
• Patients with a psychiatric, addictive, or any disorder wich compromises ability to give truly informed consent for participating in this study
• HIV positivity
• Known refractoriness to platelet transfusion, inability to adequately substitute blood products