SummaryThis systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy of different anthracyclines and anthracycline dosing schedules for induction therapy in acute myeloid leukaemia in children and adults younger than 60 years of age. Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials were eligible for inclusion in the review. Idarubicin (IDA), in comparison to daunorubicin (DNR), reduced remission failure rates (risk ratio (RR) 0Á81; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0Á66-0Á99; P = 0Á04), but did not alter rates of early death or overall mortality. Superiority of IDA for remission induction was limited to studies with a DNR/IDA dose ratio <5 (ratio <5: RR 0Á65; 95% CI, 0Á51-0Á81; P < 0Á001; ratio ! 5: RR 1Á03; 95% CI, 0Á91-1Á16; P = 0Á63). Higher-dose DNR, compared to lower-dose DNR, was associated with reduced rates for remission failure (RR 0Á75; 95% CI, 0Á60-0Á94; P = 0Á003) and overall mortality (RR 0Á83; 95% CI, 0Á75-0Á93; P < 0Á001), but not for early death. Comparisons of several other anthracycline derivates did not reveal significant differences in outcomes. Survival estimates in adults suggest that both high-dose DNR (90 mg/m 2 daily 9 3 or 50 mg/ m 2 daily 9 5) and IDA (12 mg/m 2 daily 9 3) can achieve 5-year survival rates of between 40 and 50 percent.