Fix low dose venetoclax-azacitidine treatment of unfit acute myeloid leukemia patients

The prognosis of elderly AML patients had not even been improved by using hypomethylating agents; however, synergistic effect of combining azacitidin with venetoclax had resulted in a remarkable therapeutic advance. Our goal was to study the latter treatment with a new dosing regimen in a retrospective/observational study. In our department, we analyzed the data of AML patients who were unfit for curative high-dose treatment and accepted the medication with a fixed-dose of azacitidin and venetoclax combination (AZA-VEN, 100 mg sc for 7 days-100 mg per os continuously). The primary end point was the overall survival. In total, 55 AML patients received the treatment between OCT/2019-DEC/2022. Mean age was 69.4-year (48-84), median overall survival was 17.2-month (95% CI, 14.3-20.10) Composite CR: (CR + CRi) 62%. Side effect CTCAE 3 or higher: neutropenia with fever: 36.4%, anemia: 29.1%, thrombocytopenia: 16.4% and nausea 20%. AZA-VEN combination treatment of our unfit AML patients was found to be a good therapeutic option. The results achieved with significantly lower doses of the fixed dose of AZA-VEN are comparable to the conclusions of the VIALE-A study, and the less severe side effects we have observed are explained by the milder neutropenia of the newly introduced regimen.

Gerundium: A Comprehensive Public Educational Program on Organ Donation and Transplantation and Civil Law in Hungary

BACKGROUND

Organ transplantation has become an organized, routine, widely used method in the treatment of several end-stage diseases. Kidney transplantation means the best life-quality and longest life expectancy for patients with end-stage renal diseases. Transplantation is the only available long-term medical treatment for patients with end-stage liver, heart, and lung diseases. Despite the number of transplantations increasing worldwide, the needs of the waiting lists remain below expectations.

METHODS

One of the few methods to increase the number of transplantations is public education. In cooperation with the University of Debrecen Institute for Surgery Department of Transplantation, the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service Organ Coordination Office, and the Local Committee Debrecen of Hungarian Medical Students' International Relations Committee (HuMSIRC), the Gerundium, a new educational program, has been established to serve this target. Gerundium is a special program designed especially for youth education. Peer education means that age-related medical student volunteers educate their peers during interactive unofficial sessions.

RESULTS

Volunteers were trained during specially designed training. Medical students were honored by HuMSIRC, depending on their activity on the basis of their own regulations. Uniform slides and brochures to share were designed. Every Hungarian secondary school was informed. The Local Committee Budapest of HuMSIRC also joined the program, which helps to expand our activity throughout Hungary. The aim of the program is public education to help disperse disapproval, if presented.

CONCLUSIONS

As a multiple effect, our program promotes medical students to have better skills in the field of transplantation, presentation, and communication skills. Our program is a voluntary program with strong professional support and is free of charge for the community.