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Diekmann B, Timmerman M, Hempenius L, van Roon E, Franken B, Hoogendoorn M. New treatment opportunities for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia and the increasing importance of frailty assessment - An oncogeriatric perspective. J Geriatr Oncol 2024; 15:101631. [PMID: 37783588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2023.101631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
With the introduction of targeted chemotherapy drugs, a new age of treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has begun. The promotion of the azacitidine+venetoclax combination regimen to first line of treatment in patients deemed ineligible for intensive chemotherapy marks the first of many novel combination regimens becoming part of national treatment guidelines. We review recent phase II and III clinical trials and conclude that these novel regimens offer significant increases in response rates, remission rates, and overall survival. The incidence of adverse events, the accrued time toxicity, and the healthcare costs, however, are increasing as well. Compared with clinical trials, older patients in the real world frequently present with an inferior baseline health status, which is associated with an increased risk of experiencing side effects. The key to reaping the maximum benefit of the new agents and their combination regimens therefore lies in sufficient attention being given to a patients' preexisting comorbidities, potential frailty, and quality of life. A systematic collaboration between hemato-oncologists and geriatricians can be a potent first step towards addressing the increased treatment intensity patients with AML experience under the novel regimens. In this narrative review article we provide an overview of recent and ongoing clinical trials, highlight encountered adverse events, discuss frailty assessment options, and outline an oncogeriatic care path for older patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benno Diekmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Henri Dunantweg 2, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Henry Dunantweg 2, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Unit of Pharmacotherapy, Epidemiology and Economics, Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, the Netherlands; MCL Academy, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Henri Dunantweg 2, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.
| | - Marjolijn Timmerman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Henri Dunantweg 2, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Department of Geriatric Care, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Henry Dunantweg 2, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth Hempenius
- Department of Geriatric Care, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Henry Dunantweg 2, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Eric van Roon
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Henry Dunantweg 2, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Unit of Pharmacotherapy, Epidemiology and Economics, Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, the Netherlands; MCL Academy, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Henri Dunantweg 2, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Bas Franken
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Henri Dunantweg 2, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Mels Hoogendoorn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Henri Dunantweg 2, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
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Fan Y, Wang L, Chen B, Zhang J, Yang L, Qiu X, Jiang H, Zhu L, Wang C, Xu Y. Long-term survival in a patient with primary refractory AML after salvage allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation and post-transplant localized irradiation and venetoclax maintenance: a case report. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1329858. [PMID: 38162505 PMCID: PMC10756059 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1329858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
For patients with primary refractory AML, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is considered the only curative approach. However, the therapeutic efficacy of salvage transplantation in the non-remission (NR) state remains controversial. We present a patient with primary refractory AML and concomitant central nervous system (CNS) leukemia, who received salvage allo-HCT, localized radiotherapy and venetoclax maintenance. Although he experienced systemic chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), he remained disease-free for 2 years. We propose that salvage transplantation is a feasible for primary refractory AML and discuss strategies to prevent relapse after allo-HCT, including maintenance therapy and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). Finally, we highlight the importance of radiotherapy, which can exert immunomodulatory effects to enhance immune responses against leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yili Fan
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Luyao Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Boxiao Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Luyu Yang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xi Qiu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huawei Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Ohmoto A, Fuji S. Clinical status of induction therapy incorporating a hypomethylating agent for newly diagnosed adult acute myeloid leukemia compared to the standard 7+3 regimen. Expert Rev Hematol 2023; 16:761-771. [PMID: 37670667 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2023.2256472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cytarabine and anthracycline combination therapy (7 + 3 regimen) is the standard care for induction chemotherapy in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although this intensive regimen achieves a high response rate, it is highly toxic, especially in elderly or frail patients. Hypomethylating agents approved initially for high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome had longer survival times than conventional care in elderly patients with newly diagnosed AML. AREAS COVERED We summarize the latest information regarding induction therapy using hypomethylating agents (azacitidine and decitabine) for newly diagnosed AML. EXPERT OPINION For untreated patients ineligible for an intensive regimen, a phase III trial exhibited the survival benefit of adding the highly selective BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax to azacitidine. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend azacitidine or decitabine plus venetoclax as an option for patients with poor-risk AML, including those with TP53 mutations and AML with the cytogenetic features of myelodysplastic syndrome. Future studies should evaluate positioning this combination as an induction therapy for younger patients eligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Without randomized trials, propensity score matching analysis suggested a comparable prognosis between azacitidine combination and intensive chemotherapy. Considering the feasibility of a doublet regimen incorporating azacitidine, a triplet regimen should be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Ohmoto
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shigeo Fuji
- Department of Hematology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
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Gjaerde LK, Jakobsen LH, Juhl-Christensen C, Olesen G, Petruskevicius I, Severinsen MT, Marcher CW, Theilgaard-Mönch K, Andersen NS, Friis LS, Kornblit B, Petersen SL, Schjødt I, Sengeløv H. Trends in survival and cure after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukaemia from 2000 to 2020: A Danish population-based cohort study. Br J Haematol 2023; 200:e40-e43. [PMID: 36263998 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lars K Gjaerde
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lasse H Jakobsen
- Department of Hematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Mathematical Sciences, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Gitte Olesen
- Department of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Claus W Marcher
- Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | - Lone S Friis
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Brian Kornblit
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ida Schjødt
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Sengeløv
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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