Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults, and its incidence increases with age. Clinical outcomes in younger patients have improved over the years but, unfortunately, there is little evidence for an equivalent improvement in outcome for older patients. Approximately 50 % of older patients who are able to receive intensive chemotherapy will achieve a complete remission; however, they face a much higher relapse rate than younger patients, and survival rates for this group are low. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve outcomes in older patients with AML. In this article, we discuss current treatment paradigms for older patients with AML including the challenges faced when determining which patients are eligible for intensive chemotherapy. We then highlight new treatments in development that may benefit this patient group. Cytotoxic agents, hypomethylating agents, molecularly targeted agents, and cell cycle kinase inhibitors are discussed, with a focus on novel agents that have achieved an advanced stage of development. Overall, the treatment of AML in older patients remains a challenge and, whenever possible, treatment should be offered in the context of clinical trials and should be planned with curative intent.

Sanz, M.a., Iacoboni, G., Montesinos, P., Venditti, A. (2016). Emerging strategies for the treatment of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia. ANNALS OF HEMATOLOGY, 95(10), 1583-1593 [10.1007/s00277-016-2666-2].

Emerging strategies for the treatment of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Venditti A.
2016-01-01

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults, and its incidence increases with age. Clinical outcomes in younger patients have improved over the years but, unfortunately, there is little evidence for an equivalent improvement in outcome for older patients. Approximately 50 % of older patients who are able to receive intensive chemotherapy will achieve a complete remission; however, they face a much higher relapse rate than younger patients, and survival rates for this group are low. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve outcomes in older patients with AML. In this article, we discuss current treatment paradigms for older patients with AML including the challenges faced when determining which patients are eligible for intensive chemotherapy. We then highlight new treatments in development that may benefit this patient group. Cytotoxic agents, hypomethylating agents, molecularly targeted agents, and cell cycle kinase inhibitors are discussed, with a focus on novel agents that have achieved an advanced stage of development. Overall, the treatment of AML in older patients remains a challenge and, whenever possible, treatment should be offered in the context of clinical trials and should be planned with curative intent.
2016
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore MED/15 - MALATTIE DEL SANGUE
English
Acute myeloid leukemia; Low-intensity therapy; Novel agents; Older patients; Targeted therapy; Aged; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Cytotoxins; Disease Management; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Middle Aged; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasm Proteins; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Therapies, Investigational; Topoisomerase II Inhibitors; Treatment Outcome
Sanz, M.a., Iacoboni, G., Montesinos, P., Venditti, A. (2016). Emerging strategies for the treatment of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia. ANNALS OF HEMATOLOGY, 95(10), 1583-1593 [10.1007/s00277-016-2666-2].
Sanz, Ma; Iacoboni, G; Montesinos, P; Venditti, A
Articolo su rivista
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/224717
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 6
  • Scopus 18
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 19
social impact