Inflammatory biomarkers, geriatric assessment, and treatment outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract Objectives To investigate changes in inflammatory biomarkers during induction therapy for older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and their associations with geriatric assessment (GA) measures and outcomes. Methods This was a single institution ancillary study to a prospective observational study (N = 20 consecutive adults aged ≥60 with newly diagnosed AML who received induction chemotherapy). Biomarkers (Interleukin-6 [IL-6], IL-6 soluble receptor [IL-6 sR], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα], TNFα soluble receptor 1 [TNFα sR1], interleukin-3 [IL-3], C-reactive protein [CRP]) were collected at start of induction, weekly for three weeks, and post-induction and were compared over time using paired t -tests. GA was administered at baseline and post-induction, and correlated with biomarker levels using Spearman correlations. Survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier and compared by categorized biomarker level using Wilcoxon tests. Results Biomarker levels were stable during induction, except for CRP and IL-6 sR. Declines in objectively measured physical function [Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); r = 0.71, p  Conclusion Among older adults with AML, the relationships between TNFα sR1, CRP, and IL-6 sR with change in physical and emotional health during treatment warrants further investigation.