Following the major breakthroughs in the and frequent and thorough exchange of treatment of acute leukemias in the seven­ information. Hence, it was felt that a spe­ ties by the introduction of intensive combi­ cial series of symposia should be devoted to nation regimens, therapeutic progress has "Pharmacokinetics and Management of slowed down and the impression of stagna­ Relapsed and Refractory Disease" comple­ menting the established meetings on "Prog­ tion may even have occured. In contrast, the knowledge about the biology of leu­ nostic Factors and Treatment Strategies" kemias is rapidly expanding and allows new which will proceed in parallel. It was the insights into the pathophysiology of the aim of the international symposium disease. Further improvements also come "ACUTE LEUKEMIAS - Pharmacokine­ from a better understanding of the pharma­ tics and Management of Relapsed and cokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cyto­ Refractory Disease" to provide an update static drugs and their mechanisms of action. of the present knowledge in this area and to Hence, novel treatment modalities can be stimulate further developments. As a sign developed on a more solid basis and ration­ for the closing distance between countries al. These achievements need to be comple­ and the development of effective world­ mented by effective eradiation wide cooperation this symposium emerged of residual disease or its permanent control and new from the joint efforts of the German AML approaches have been derived from recent Cooperative Group and the M. D.