Objective To compare the therapeutic and adverse effects of MT regimen (mitoxantrone plus teniposide) and DA regimen (daunorubicin plus cytarabine) on initial treatment to acute monocytic leukemia. Methods 40 patients with initial treatment to acute monocytic leukemia were randomly divided into MT group(n=23) and DA group(n=17). All patients were treated with MT or DA regimen. The result and adverse effects of the two regimens were compared. Results Complete remission(CR) rate in the first course chemotherapy in MT and DA regimen was 65 % and 18 %, respectively. The total CR rate in MT and DA regimen was 83 % and 47 % respectively. The total effective rate was 92 % and 59 %, respectively. Significant differences were found. Severe myelosuppression occurred in both groups. The counts of wbc nadir and the durations of wbc less than 1×10~9/L were not significantly different in two group. The time points of wbc nadir, the start and end time points of wbc less than 1×10~9/L were significantly later in MT group than in DA group. Conclusion MT regimen is significant better than DA regimen in inducing remission in initial treatment acute monocytic leukemia, and it is a good choice for inducing remission strategy. The degrees of myelosuppression in two groups are similar. But the occurrent time of myelosuppression is later in MT group than in DA group. The great attention should be paid to anti-infection and support therapy at time properly.