Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant for Children With Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) in First Complete Remission

The primary objective of this study was to estimate the continuous complete remission rate at 2 years post transplant for children with AML in first complete remission treated with autologous BMT. Secondary objectives used transduction of marker genes into autologous marrow to determine the following: 1. whether the source of relapse after BMT for AML is residual malignant cells in the harvested marrow or in the patient, and whether marrow purging is therefore rational. 2. whether the majority of AML, which lack genetic markers, represent abnormalities in a multi-lineage progenitor cell, and whether therefore, auto grafting/intensified chemotherapy is ever likely to augment the cure rate. 3. the mechanisms of autologous reconstitution, and the effects of stimuli which modify the process.