9 patients with chronic granulocytic leukemia were treated sequentially with busulfan, 6-mercaptopurine, and trimethylcolchicinic acid methyl ether d-tartrate (TMCA; NSC-36354). Smoothness of control of the disease was similar with busulfan and 6-mercaptopurine, but it was significantly poorer with TMCA. Toxic effects of therapy and median survival were similar to those observed with conventional therapy.

Acute granulocytic leukemia (AGL) is typified by a maturation arrest resulting from a synthetic block which is reflected in morphologically identifiable stages of maturation. In AGL's the marrow population primarily consists of two cell types: the myeloblast which is the least mature cell and one by definition which lacks lysosomes and the promyelocyte which contains lysosomes. Maturation beyond the promyelocyte is an aberrant process which results in a limited number of abnormal mature granulocytes. In order to better characterize the cells, marrows from 11 individuals with AGL have been studied at the LM and EM levels. All marrows were obtained prior to the initiation of chemotherapy. Fixation was with 5% gluteraldehyde in 0.1M cacodylate buffer. Osmication, dehydration and embedding were accomplished by standard methods. All marrows were reacted for peroxidase and acid phosphatase activity.