Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Elderly Patients: Experience of the Antoine Lacassagne Center and a New Score to Define Fit Patients

Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in the elderly is particularly difficult as life expectancy is highly variable and the benefit-risk ratio of treatment depends on comorbidities and age-related pharmacological specificities. Objective : To define the prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and complete remission (CR) and establish a feasible and efficient new prognostic scoring system to assist clinicians in an age-adapted treatment strategy. Methods : From January 2000 to December 2014, 163 patients (pts) presenting an AML in a French regional cancer center in Nice were retrospectively analyzed. According to functional status, patients were treated with induction chemotherapy, azacitidine or palliative care. Complete remission rate (CR) and early-death rate were calculated. Six-month, 1-year and 2-year overall survival (OS) were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done and a p-value Population : From January 2000 to December 2014, 163 pts ³ 65 years were included; median age was 73.3 years (65-94.6), with 94 men (57.7%). PS was 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 for 33 pts (20.3%), 77 pts (47.2%), 22 pts (13.5%), 20 pts (12.3%) and 6 pts (3.7%), respectively. Modified Charlson Score (calculated without considering age and leukemia criteria) was 0-1 and ³2 for 83 pts (50.9%) and 77 pts (47.2%), respectively. Secondary AML represented 44.2% of this elderly population. Induction chemotherapy was either full-dose cytarabin-daunorubicin 3+7, or cytarabin-idarubicin or cytarabin-clofarabine. Palliative care consisted of hydroxyurea and etoposid chemotherapy and best supportive care. Then, 112 pts (68.7%), 21 pts (12.9%) and 30 pts (18.4%) were treated with induction chemotherapy, azacitidine and palliative care, respectively. Among the 112 pts (68.7%) induced, 56 pts (35.9%) reached CR, 42 pts (25.8%) with a first induction and 14 pts (10.1%) with salvage chemotherapy. Otherwise, 39 pts (23.9%) ended up relapsing. Taking into account the entire treatment, 42 pts (25.8%) received azacitidine. Results : The 6-month, 1-year and 2-year OS for the entire cohort of 163 patients were 64.3%, 46.7% and 24.4%, respectively. Administration of induction chemotherapy was significantly predictive of CR (50% vs 2.0%, p Conclusion: We present a prognostic model composed of two easy-to-operate parameters that stratify patients into Fit or Frail groups. Patients with a Modified Charlson Score ³2 and a PS ³2 did not benefit from induction chemotherapy and had a high risk of death. In such cases, treatment should be azacitidine or palliative treatment. External validation is needed. Disclosures Nicolini: Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Consulting & Advisory Role, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Consulting or Advisory Role, Speakers Bureau; ARIAD: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Other: Travel/Accommodations/Expenses; Novartis: Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses.