Acute myeloid leukemia in the elderly

Decitabine for the treatment of adult patients (age ≥65 years) with newly diagnosedde novoor secondary acute myeloid leukemia

>SUMMARY Decitabine is a deoxynucleoside analogue of cytidine. Its use for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been recently refined. It selectively inhibits DNA methyltransferases when administered at a dose of 20 mg/m2by a 1-h intravenous infusion for 5 consecutive days of a 4-week cycle in the AML study. This schedule has recently been approved by the EMA as a well-tolerated alternative treatment to cytarabine or supportive care in patients aged ≥65 years with de novo or secondary AML who are not candidates for intensive chemotherapy.