Non-Transplant Therapy for Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Author:
Mikkael A. Sekeres From the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.

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 MD, MS
Volume/Issue:
Volume 4: Issue 1
Online Publication Date:
Jan 2006
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2006.0006
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Acute myeloid leukemia is a disease of older adults, with a median age at diagnosis of 68 years. This group represents a high-risk population, because inherent disease characteristics predict for resistance to chemotherapy and advanced age is accompanied by high treatment-related mortality. Standard remission-induction and postremission therapy can result in a median disease-free survival of 10 months and rare long-term survival. Efforts to improve outcomes have not made a major impact on complete remission rates of 40% to 60%, or on overall survival. Newer therapies, divided into aggressive and nonaggressive approaches, focus on targeting the disease biology specific to older adults and on maximizing quality of life. Clinical trials should be considered at every stage of treatment in this group of patients.

Dr. Sekeres has consulted for Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals and is on the Speaker's Bureau for Celgene and Pharmion.

Correspondence: Mikkael A. Sekeres, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk R35, Cleveland, OH 44195. E-mail: sekerem@ccf.org
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Print ISSN:
1540-1405
Online ISSN:
1540-1413
Publisher:
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
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Copyright:
Copyright © 2006 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Page Numbers:
6
Article Category:
Research Article
Received:
28 Jul 2005
Accepted:
30 Sep 2005
Print Publication Date:
01 Jan 2006
Online Publication Date:
Jan 2006
Keywords:
Acute myeloid leukemia; treatment; outcomes; older adults

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