Acute Leukemias II

This 4th of a series of volumes again provides the state of the art in characterization and treatment of acute leukemias. The therapeutic progress is reflected by updates from major prospective clinical studies. The role of chemotherapy modi- fications and of bone marrow transplantation is elucidated and compared. Among prognostic factors the Philadelphia chromosome and bcr-abl gene rearrangement emerged as the most powerful risk factor in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Molecularas well as immunologic leukemic cell markers open ways to monitor residual leukemia in clinical remission. Differentiation induction by retinoids represent a novel therapeutic principal as does the modulatioon of chemothera- py by hematopoietic growth factors. The new antileukemic ap- proaches are supported by more effective anti-infectious strategies. Data from clinical and laboratory research are presented in tables and illustrations. Up to date comprehensive overview of the large field of acu- te leukemia research and management.