The Role of Azacitidine in the Treatment of Elderly Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Results of a Retrospective Multicenter Study.
Turk J Haematol
; 33(4): 273-280, 2016 Dec 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27095141
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of azacitidine (AZA) in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including patients with >30% bone marrow (BM) blasts. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
In this retrospective multicenter study, 130 patients of ≥60 years old who were ineligible for intensive chemotherapy or had progressed despite conventional treatment were included.RESULTS:
The median age was 73 years and 61.5% of patients had >30% BM blasts. Patients received AZA for a median of four cycles (range 1-21). Initial overall response [including complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete recovery/partial remission] was 36.2%. Hematologic improvement (HI) of any kind was documented in 37.7% of all patients. HI was also documented in 27.1% of patients who were unresponsive to treatment. Median overall survival (OS) was 18 months for responders and 12 months for nonresponders (p=0.005). In the unresponsive patient group, any HI improved OS compared to patients without any HI (median OS was 14 months versus 10 months, p=0.068). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of <2, increasing number of AZA cycles (≥5 courses), and any HI predicted better OS. Age, AML type, and BM blast percentage had no impact.CONCLUSION:
We conclude that AZA is effective and well tolerated in elderly comorbid AML patients, irrespective of BM blast count, and HI should be considered a sufficient response to continue treatment with AZA.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Azacitidine
/
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
/
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Turk J Haematol
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article