Treatment of elderly patients with AML: results of an individualized approach

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: AML treatment in elderly patients must be individualized according to their characteristics. We report the results of a tailored treatment approach in all consecutive AML patients older than 60 years diagnosed at our institution during the last 2 years. DESIGN AND METHODS: Between December 1994 and December 1996, 43 AML patients over 60 years of age (median, 72; range 61-89) were managed according to their performance status (PS) and associated diseases. Twenty patients (46%) were eligible for intensive chemotherapy and received combination chemotherapy including an anthracycline (Idarubicin or daunorubicin), ara-C and VP-16. After complete remission (CR), consolidation chemotherapy with mitoxantrone and intermediate-high-dose ara-C was given to 13 of the 15 patients in remission (65% of all patients candidates for intensive treatment). Twenty-three patients who were not eligible for intensive chemotherapy received palliative measures. RESULTS: Patients treated with one course of intensive chemotherapy had a CR rate of 70% (95% CI: 48-92%)(n = 14) with a mortality rate of 20% (n = 4) and a resistance of 10% (n = 2). An additional patient reached CR after rescue therapy. Median CR duration was 10.5 months. Median survival was 10.5 months. Patients above 70 years had a median survival of 5 months compared to the median not reached for those aged between 60 and 70 years (p = 0.03). This latter group had a probability of survival of 52 +/- 18% at 18 months. None of the patients treated with palliative measures achieved CR and the median survival in this group was only 1.5 months. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AML aged 70 years or less with good PS and without severe associated diseases should be intensively treated due to the high probability of achieving CR and an acceptable median-term survival. By contrast, results in patients 70 years or older and in those suitable only for palliative treatment because of a poor PS or severe associated diseases are very poor. Alternative treatment approaches for these patients should be investigated.