Therapeutic Advances in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 487-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Burnett ◽  
Meir Wetzler ◽  
Bob Löwenberg
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Nucleoside Analogs ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Acute Myeloid

The choice of treatment approach and outcome in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) depends on the age of the patient. In younger patients, arbitrarily defined as being younger than 60 years, 70% to 80% enter complete disease remission with several anthracycline-based chemotherapy combinations. Consolidation with high-dose cytarabine or stem-cell transplantation in high-risk patients will restrict overall relapse to approximately 50%. A number of demographic features can predict the outcome of treatment including cytogenetics and an increasing list of molecular features (ie, FLT3, NPM1, MLL, WT1, CEBPalpha, EVI1). These are increasingly being used to direct postinduction therapy, but they are also molecular targets for a new generation of small molecule inhibitors that are in early development; however, randomized data have yet to emerge. In older patients who comprise the majority, which will increase with demographic change, the initial clinical decision to be made is whether the patient should receive an intensive or nonintensive approach. If the same anthracycline/cytarabine–based approach is deployed, the remission rate will be around 50%, but the risk of subsequent relapse is approximately 85% at 3 years. This difference from younger patients is explained partly by the ability of patients to tolerate effective therapy, and also the aggregation of several poor risk factors compared with the young. There remains a substantial proportion of patients older than 60 years who do not receive intensive chemotherapy. Their survival is approximately 4 months, but there is considerable interest in developing new treatments for this patient group, including novel nucleoside analogs and several other agents.

Randomized Phase II Study of Clofarabine-Based Consolidation for Younger Adults With Acute Myeloid Leukemia in First Remission

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 1223-1230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Thomas ◽  
Stéphane de Botton ◽  
Sylvie Chevret ◽  
Denis Caillot ◽  
Emmanuel Raffoux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Randomized Phase Ii ◽  
Nonhematologic Toxicity ◽  
Donor Identification ◽  
First Remission ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a clofarabine-based combination (CLARA) versus conventional high-dose cytarabine (HDAC) as postremission chemotherapy in younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients and Methods Patients age 18 to 59 years old with intermediate- or unfavorable-risk AML in first remission and no identified donor for allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT) were eligible. Two hundred twenty-one patients were randomly assigned to receive three CLARA or three HDAC consolidation cycles. The primary end point was relapse-free survival (RFS). To handle the confounding effect of SCT that could occur in patients with late donor identification, hazard ratios (HRs) of events were adjusted on the time-dependent treatment × SCT interaction term. Results At 2 years, RFS was 58.5% (95% CI, 49% to 67%) in the CLARA arm and 46.5% (95% CI, 37% to 55%) in the HDAC arm. Overall, 110 patients (55 in each arm) received SCT in first remission. On the basis of a multivariable Cox-adjusted treatment × SCT interaction, the HR of CLARA over HDAC before or in absence of SCT was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.43 to 0.98; P = .041). In a sensitivity analysis, when patients who received SCT in first remission were censored at SCT time, 2-year RFS was 53.3% (95% CI, 39% to 66%) in the CLARA arm and 31.0% (95% CI, 19% to 43%) in the HDAC arm (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.98; P = .043). Gain in RFS could be related to the lower cumulative incidence of relapse observed in the CLARA arm versus the HDAC arm (33.9% v 46.4% at 2 years, respectively; cause-specific HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.94; P = .025). CLARA cycles were associated with higher hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity than HDAC cycles. Conclusion These results suggest that CLARA might be considered as a new chemotherapy option in younger patients with AML in first remission.

Mitoxantrone and Cytarabine Induction, High-Dose Cytarabine, and Etoposide Intensification for Pediatric Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Children’s Cancer Group Study 2951

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 2940-2947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Wells ◽  
Mary T. Adams ◽  
Todd A. Alonzo ◽  
Robert J. Arceci ◽  
Jonathan Buckley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Good Prognosis ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Secondary Aml ◽  
Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
High Dose Cytarabine ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Purpose: To evaluate the response rate, survival, and toxicity of mitoxantrone and cytarabine induction, high-dose cytarabine and etoposide intensification, and further consolidation/maintenance therapies, including bone marrow transplantation, in children with relapsed, refractory, or secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To evaluate response to 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CDA) and etoposide (VP-16) in patients who did not respond to mitoxantrone and cytarabine. Patients and Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory AML (n = 101) and secondary AML (n = 13) were entered. Results: Mitoxantrone and cytarabine induction achieved a remission rate of 76% for relapsed/refractory patients and 77% for patients with secondary AML, with a 3% induction mortality rate. Cytarabine and etoposide intensification exceeded the acceptable toxic death rate of 10%. The response rate of 2-CDA/VP-16 was 8%. Two-year overall survival was estimated at 24% and was better than historical control data. Patients with secondary AML had similar outcomes to relapsed or refractory patients. Initial remission longer than 1 year was the most important prognostic factor for patients with primary AML (2-year survival rate, 75%), whereas for patients with primary AML, with less than 12 months of initial remission, survival was 13% and was similar to that of refractory patients (6%). Conclusion: Mitoxantrone and cytarabine induction is effective with reasonable toxicity in patients with relapsed/refractory or secondary AML. The cytarabine and etoposide intensification regimen should be abandoned because of toxicity. Patients with relapsed AML with initial remissions longer than 1 year have a relatively good prognosis.

Fludarabine and cytosine are less effective than standard ADE chemotherapy in high-risk acute myeloid leukemia, and addition of G-CSF and ATRA are not beneficial: results of the MRC AML-HR randomized trial

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 107 (12) ◽  
pp. 4614-4622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald W. Milligan ◽  
Keith Wheatley ◽  
Timothy Littlewood ◽  
Jenny I. O. Craig ◽  
Alan K. Burnett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Relapse Rate ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Standard Chemotherapy ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Acute Myeloid

AbstractThe optimum chemotherapy schedule for reinduction of patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (relapsed, resistant/refractory, or adverse genetic disease) is uncertain. The MRC AML (Medical Research Council Acute Myeloid Leukemia) Working Group designed a trial comparing fludarabine and high-dose cytosine (FLA) with standard chemotherapy comprising cytosine arabinoside, daunorubicin, and etoposide (ADE). Patients were also randomly assigned to receive filgrastim (G-CSF) from day 0 until neutrophil count was greater than 0.5 × 109/L (or for a maximum of 28 days) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) for 90 days. Between 1998 and 2003, 405 patients were entered: 250 were randomly assigned between FLA and ADE; 356 to G-CSF versus no G-CSF; 362 to ATRA versus no ATRA. The complete remission rate was 61% with 4-year disease-free survival of 29%. There were no significant differences in the CR rate, deaths in CR, relapse rate, or DFS between ADE and FLA, although survival at 4 years was worse with FLA (16% versus 27%, P = .05). Neither the addition of ATRA nor G-CSF demonstrated any differences in the CR rate, relapse rate, DFS, or overall survival between the groups. In conclusion these findings indicate that FLA may be inferior to standard chemotherapy in high-risk AML and that the outcome is not improved with the addition of either G-CSF or ATRA.

Optimization of Chemotherapy for Younger Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Results of the Medical Research Council AML15 Trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (27) ◽  
pp. 3360-3368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan K. Burnett ◽  
Nigel H. Russell ◽  
Robert K. Hills ◽  
Ann E. Hunter ◽  
Lars Kjeldsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Remission Induction ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
High Dose Cytarabine ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Purpose Treatment outcomes in younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have improved, but optimization and new combinations are needed. We assess three combinations in induction and consolidation. Patients and Methods Younger untreated patients with AML (median age, 49 years; range, 0 to 73 years) were randomly allocated to two induction courses of daunorubicin and cytarabine (DA) with or without etoposide (ADE; n = 1983) or ADE versus fludarabine, cytarabine, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and idarubicin (FLAG-Ida; n = 1268), and to amsacrine, cytarabine, etoposide, and then mitoxantrone/cytarabine (MACE-MidAC) or high-dose cytarabine (n = 1,445) 3 g/m2 or 1.5 g/m2 (n = 657) in consolidation, and finally to a fifth course (cytarabine) or not (n = 227). Results Overall remission rates were similar for DA versus ADE (84% v 86%; P = .14) and ADE versus FLAG-Ida (86% v 85%; P = .7), with more course 1 remissions after FLAG-Ida (77%) reducing relapse (38% v 55%; P < .001) and improving relapse-free survival (45% v 34%; P = .01), overall and in subgroups, but with increased myelosuppression, reducing participation in the consolidation randomization. Overall outcomes were similar between MACE/MidAc and high-dose cytarabine (1.5/3.0 g/m2), but cytarabine required less supportive care. MACE/MidAc was superior for high-risk patients. A fifth course provided no benefit. The outcome for recipients of only two FLAG-Ida courses were not different from that with DA/ADE with consolidation. Conclusion FLAG-Ida is an effective remission induction treatment, with a high complete remission rate after course 1 and reduced relapse. Consolidation with MACE/MidAc is similar overall to high-dose cytarabine, but superior in high-risk patients. Cytarabine at 1.5 g/m2 is equivalent to a 3 g/m2 dose. A fifth course is unnecessary. In patients receiving FLAG-Ida (two courses) and cytarabine (two courses), 8-year survival was 63% for patients with intermediate-risk and 95% for those with favorable-risk disease.

Feasibility of evidence-based treatment of childhood acute myeloid leukemia in a Sub-Sahara Africa center.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e22508-e22508
Author(s):  
Irene Nzamu ◽  
Joseph Ssenyondwa ◽  
Ronald Naitala ◽  
Anne Akullo ◽  
Siyadora Ankunda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Severe Sepsis ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Childhood Aml ◽  
Acute Myeloid

e22508 Background: The proportion of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) among childhood leukemias is putatively higher in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) compared to Western experiences. However, the treatment of childhood AML is challenging in SSA settings because of inadequate facilities for supportive care to deliver intensive AML regimens and, hence, high treatment-related mortality (TRM). Many pediatric oncology centers in SSA treat childhood AML with a palliative intent, with or without chemotherapy. At the Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH)/Global HOPE Center in Uganda, we treat AML with a curative intent. We distinguish Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) and AML with Down Syndrome (AML-DS) from other subtypes of AML. We treat APL with Children’s Oncology Group (COG) AAML1331 and AML-DS and other AML with modified reduced intensity regimens. We hereby share our experience of anti-cancer and supportive treatment, TRM, remission rates, and short-term overall survival (OS). Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of children diagnosed with AML between March 2019 and February 2020. The diagnosis of AML was established by bone marrow or peripheral blood morphology and immunophenotyping by flow cytometry according to WHO criteria. All cases of APL were confirmed by cytogenetics for t(15;17). Children without DS or APL received 2 cycles of Cytarabine 100mg/m2 12 hourly Days 1-10, Daunorubicin 50mg/m2 Days 1,3,5 and a single triple intrathecal chemotherapy for induction and 2 cycles of high dose Cytarabine 3000mg/m2 for consolidation. Supportive care comprised warm saline oral rinses, antiseptic baths, antimicrobial prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin and itraconazole, and blood product support. Results: Of the 74 children diagnosed with leukemia 23 (31%) were AML; 4/23 (17%) of AML were APL and 3/23 (13%) were AML-DS. The mean age at diagnosis of AML was 6.1 (SD 4.3) years and 16/23 (70%) were males. For the 4 cases of APL, TRM 1/4 (25%) due to differentiation syndrome, remission rate 2/4 (50%), 1-year OS 75%; 95% CI 32.5-100. For the 3 cases of AML-DS, TRM 1/3 due to severe sepsis with respiratory failure, remission rate 1/3, and 1 was referred to another treatment center. For the other AML, TRM 2/16 (12.5%) due to severe sepsis, remission rate 9/16 (56%) and 1-year OS 78.6%; 95% CI 57.1-100. Conclusions: It is feasible to treat, manage TRM, and achieve remission in childhood AML in the SSA setting. Although there were several TRMs, a remission rate of 56% in the non-APL non-AML-DS is a promising outcome.

scholarly journals Prognostic value of immunophenotyping in acute myeloid leukemia. Australian Leukaemia Study Group

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 1220-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Bradstock ◽  
J Matthews ◽  
E Benson ◽  
F Page ◽  
J Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Prognostic Value ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Kit Receptor ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Abstract The diagnostic and prognostic value of immunophenotyping with 18 murine monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to a variety of leukocyte differentiation antigens was assessed in 168 adults aged 15 to 60 years with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients were entered on the multicentre Australian Leukaemia Study Group M4 protocol, and were randomized to receive either standard or high-dose Ara-C together with daunorubicin and etoposide as induction chemotherapy, followed by standard consolidation and maintenance therapy. Diagnostic bone marrow aspirate (152 cases) or peripheral blood samples (16) were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. MoAbs used were directed at myeloid (CD11b, CD13, CD14, CD15, CD33, CD41), lymphoid (CD2, CD3, CD7, CD9, CD10, CD19), or stem cell (HLA-DR, CD34, c-kit receptor) antigens, as well as the leukocyte integrins CD18 and CD49e, and the transferrin receptor CD71. Of the myeloid markers, CD13 and CD33 were the most useful diagnostically (71% and 79% of cases positive, respectively), with CD11b, CD14, and CD15 less commonly positive. A minority of cases expressed lymphoid antigens, either T cell (CD2 16%, CD3 7%, CD7 28%) or B cell (CD10 2%, CD19 7%). CD34 was detected on 42% and c-kit receptor on 48%. When patients were analyzed for response to treatment, CD2, CD9, and CD14 were significantly associated with complete remission rate: cases expressing these antigens had a poorer response than negative cases. In univariate analysis, CD11b+ cases had shorter periods of remission (relative risk of relapse, 2.33; P = .003) and shorter survival (relative death rate, 1.91; P = .006). In multivariate analysis, adjusting for other prognostic factors, CD9 and CD11b were significantly predictive of shorter survival. No other marker had a significant predictive effect. We conclude that myeloid MoAbs are useful in confirming the diagnosis of AML, but their prognostic value may be limited to CD11b. Lymphoid antigen expression is a consistent phenomenon in a minority of cases of AML, but appears to have little clinical significance.

scholarly journals Defining the Optimal Total Number of Chemotherapy Courses in Younger Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Comparison of Three Versus Four Courses

2020 ◽  
pp. JCO.20.01170
Author(s):  
Alan K. Burnett ◽  
Nigel H. Russell ◽  
Robert K. Hills ◽  
Stephen Knapper ◽  
Sylvie Freeman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Optimum Number ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
National Cancer Research Institute ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Acute Myeloid

PURPOSE The optimum number of treatment courses for younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is uncertain. The United Kingdom National Cancer Research Institute AML17 trial randomly assigned patients who were not high risk to a total of three versus four courses. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients received two induction courses based on daunorubicin and cytarabine (Ara-C), usually with gemtuzumab ozogamicin. Following remission, 1,017 patients were randomly assigned to a third course, MACE (amsacrine, etoposide, and Ara-C), plus a fourth course of MidAc (mitoxantrone and Ara-C) and following an amendment to one or two courses of high-dose Ara-C. Primary end points were cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), relapse-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS). Outcomes were correlated with patient characteristics, mutations, cytogenetics, induction treatments, and measurable residual disease (MRD) postinduction. RESULTS In logrank analyses, CIR and RFS at 5 years were improved in recipients of four courses (50% v 58%: hazard ratio [HR] 0.81 [0.69-0.97], P = .02 and 43% v 36%: HR 0.83 [0.71-0.98], P = .03, respectively). While OS was not significantly better (63% v 57%: HR 0.84 [0.69-1.03], P = .09), the noninferiority of three courses to four courses was not established. The impact on relapse was only significant when the fourth course was Ara-C. In exploratory analyses, although MRD impacted survival, a fourth course had no effect in either MRD-positive or MRD-negative patients. A fourth course was beneficial in patients who lacked a mutation of FLT3 or NPM1, had < 3 mutations in other genes, or had a presenting WBC of < 10 × 109 L−1 CONCLUSION Although a fourth course of high-dose Ara-C reduced CIR and improved RFS, it did not result in a significant OS benefit. Subsets including those with favorable cytogenetics, those lacking a mutation of FLT3 or NPM1, or those with < 3 other mutations may derive survival benefit.

scholarly journals Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia: are we making progress?

Hematology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan K. Burnett
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Nucleoside Analogs ◽  
Allogeneic Transplantation ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Abstract With a few subgroups as exceptions, such as younger patients with more favorable genetic disease, improvement in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia has been slow. There is a possibility that improving the quality of remission can reduce the risk of relapse. Escalation of daunorubicin dose, addition of Ab-directed chemotherapy, and alternative nucleoside analogs in induction may displace the longstanding standard of “3 + 7” daunorubicin + cytarabine (Ara-C) as induction, and several prognostic factors are emerging that enable a more personalized approach to postinduction treatment, in particular, which patients should be offered allogeneic transplantation in first remission. In addition to providing prognostic information, molecular characterization provides potential therapeutic targets and, in some cases, an opportunity to more precisely monitor residual disease. With few exceptions, the predictive value of prognostic factors (ie, what therapy to adopt) has yet to be established. A major challenge is the treatment of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), who represent the majority of patients with this disease. Only about half of older AML patients will enter complete remission (CR) with conventional chemotherapy and, of these, most will relapse within 2 years. Little impact has been made on these dismal outcomes over the past 3 decades, and new treatments and approaches to trial design are required. Another population of concern is older AML patients who are not considered to be fit for an intensive approach based on concerns about their ability to withstand the consequences of treatment. This group is not easy to define objectively, but age represents a useful surrogate because it is associated with more chemoresistant disease and medical comorbidity. Older patients represent a therapeutic challenge, but several new treatments may offer some potential to improve their situation.

scholarly journals Prognostic value of immunophenotyping in acute myeloid leukemia. Australian Leukaemia Study Group

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 1220-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Bradstock ◽  
J Matthews ◽  
E Benson ◽  
F Page ◽  
J Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Prognostic Value ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Kit Receptor ◽  
Acute Myeloid

The diagnostic and prognostic value of immunophenotyping with 18 murine monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to a variety of leukocyte differentiation antigens was assessed in 168 adults aged 15 to 60 years with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients were entered on the multicentre Australian Leukaemia Study Group M4 protocol, and were randomized to receive either standard or high-dose Ara-C together with daunorubicin and etoposide as induction chemotherapy, followed by standard consolidation and maintenance therapy. Diagnostic bone marrow aspirate (152 cases) or peripheral blood samples (16) were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. MoAbs used were directed at myeloid (CD11b, CD13, CD14, CD15, CD33, CD41), lymphoid (CD2, CD3, CD7, CD9, CD10, CD19), or stem cell (HLA-DR, CD34, c-kit receptor) antigens, as well as the leukocyte integrins CD18 and CD49e, and the transferrin receptor CD71. Of the myeloid markers, CD13 and CD33 were the most useful diagnostically (71% and 79% of cases positive, respectively), with CD11b, CD14, and CD15 less commonly positive. A minority of cases expressed lymphoid antigens, either T cell (CD2 16%, CD3 7%, CD7 28%) or B cell (CD10 2%, CD19 7%). CD34 was detected on 42% and c-kit receptor on 48%. When patients were analyzed for response to treatment, CD2, CD9, and CD14 were significantly associated with complete remission rate: cases expressing these antigens had a poorer response than negative cases. In univariate analysis, CD11b+ cases had shorter periods of remission (relative risk of relapse, 2.33; P = .003) and shorter survival (relative death rate, 1.91; P = .006). In multivariate analysis, adjusting for other prognostic factors, CD9 and CD11b were significantly predictive of shorter survival. No other marker had a significant predictive effect. We conclude that myeloid MoAbs are useful in confirming the diagnosis of AML, but their prognostic value may be limited to CD11b. Lymphoid antigen expression is a consistent phenomenon in a minority of cases of AML, but appears to have little clinical significance.

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