Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Update on Upfront Therapy in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Purpose of review: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) disproportionately impacts elderly patients. Treating elderly patients with AML has been a challenge due to the increased prevalence of medical comorbidities and decreased performance status in this population, as well as the different biology of AML in elderly patients.

Recent findings: The care of elderly patients with AML has advanced significantly over the past few years. Our greater understanding of the biology of AML in elderly patients has led to the development of novel, lower-intensity treatment options. We present here a review of the most recent literature regarding therapeutic options available to older patients, as well as tools to help identify the right treatment for the right patient. As targeted and lower-intensity treatment options become available, developing an approach to "right size" therapy for individual elderly patients is paramount.

Keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia; Elderly AML; Secondary AML; Therapy-related AML; Upfront therapy.