High-intensity chemotherapy versus palliative chemotherapy in patients over 60 years with acute myeloid leukemia

The use of high-intensity chemotherapy (HIC) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the elderly is controversial. In the present study, it was assessed complete remission and overall survival of AML patients over 60 years treated with HIC or palliative chemotherapy. Patients with ECOG ≤ 2 and adequate...

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Published inRevista médica (Mexico : 1983) Vol. 54 Suppl 2; p. S148
Main Authors Medrano-Contreras, Jesús, Talavera-Piña, Juan Osvaldo, Guerrero-Rivera, Susana, Gutiérrez-Espíndola, Guillermo Rodolfo, Gómez-Cortés, Cynthia, Pérez-Rocha, Juan Fernando, Terreros-Muñoz, Eduardo, Meillón-García, Luis Antonio
Format Journal Article
LanguageSpanish
Published Mexico 2016
Subjects
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anthracyclines - therapeutic use
Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use
Cytarabine - therapeutic use
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Administration Schedule
Female
Humans
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - drug therapy
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - mortality
Male
Middle Aged
Palliative Care - methods
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
Chemotherapy
Acute myeloid leukemia
Elderly
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Summary:The use of high-intensity chemotherapy (HIC) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the elderly is controversial. In the present study, it was assessed complete remission and overall survival of AML patients over 60 years treated with HIC or palliative chemotherapy. Patients with ECOG ≤ 2 and adequate organic function received HIC with a base of cytarabine for five or seven days, and an anthracycline for three days. If patients achieved complete remission of leukemia, they received one or two cycles of consolidation with cytarabine. Palliative treatment consisted of supported measures and/or oral or intravenous low-dose chemotherapy. Seven patients treated with HIC achieved complete remission versus only one in the palliative group. Only one patient died during HIC treatment. Median survival for HIC-treated patients was 13.25 months, and only 3.35 months for patients treated with palliative therapy (p < 0.05). AML patients of 60 years or older, with good performance status (ECOG ≤ 2) and adequate organ function, may benefit from HIC treatment, with better survival, compared with palliative therapy.
ISSN:0443-5117