705 children and adults patients with de novo acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia were entered from 1981 to 1989 into 2 prospectives multicenter trials: 01AM81 and 01AM86. They received an intensive induction course with Rubidazone 200 mg/sqm/day x 4 days and cytosine arabinoside 200 mg/sqm/day x 7 days, then 3 consolidation courses at outpatients, and a maintenance treatment. Total duration of therapy was 3 years. The overall complete remission rate was 80%. The median overall survival time was 19 months and the 5-year survival rate is 26%. The median remission duration for the 568 remitters was 18 months and the 5-year first remission rate is 30%. Prognostic factors for the remission rate were age, initial leukocytosis, FAB subtype. Prognostic factors for remission duration were the delay until CR, initial leukocytosis and karyotype.