The golden age for patients in their golden years: The progressive upheaval of age and the treatment of newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Most acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients will be aged more than 65 years. Chronological aging is accompanied by decreasing stem cell and solid organ reserve as well as an increased incidence of medical comorbidity. For the older patient with AML, these patient-specific factors are compounded by an association with complexity of disease biology, chemoresistance, poor tolerance and early mortality with intensive induction therapy. However, the investigation and availability of therapies targeted against various molecular drivers of leukemogenesis, leukemic stem cell persistence, and chemoresistance have provided more options for the patient ineligible for intensive or classical induction therapy, often guided by age >60-65 years by some treatment algorithms. Many providers remain appropriately optimistic that such therapies may overtake the longstanding recommendation for frontline intensive therapy in certain circumstances. Traditional algorithms dichotomizing the optimal treatment modality based on AML patient age are aging themselves and are very likely to soon be outdated.

Keywords: AML; Acute myeloid leukemia; Elderly; Older; Therapy; Treatment.