Long-term survival in patients with acute leukemia and chronic disseminated candidiasis despite minimal antileukemic therapy

Infections may require discontinuation of antineoplastic chemotherapy, which, in turn, renders patients vulnerable to disease progression or relapse. We identified six patients with acute leukemia in whom antineoplastic treatment had to be discontinued because of chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC). However, despite minimal antileukemic treatment, all patients remained in complete remission. Immunologic mechanisms associated with CDC might have had an antileukemic effect.