Nidia Zapata, MD, associate professor, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, discusses the implications of the phase 3 VIALE-A trial (NCT02993523) of venetoclax (Venclexta) plus azacitidine (Vidaza) vs azacitidine alone in treatment-naïve patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are ineligible for standard induction therapy.

: The results of the VIALE-A study…helped us understand the benefit of intensive treatment in patients with AML. This has led to a radical change in the treatment of these patients, as we now know that this combination allows patients who were not candidates for intensive chemotherapy to have a better quality of life and overall survival

In the long-term, this can lead to a dynamic improvement in the physical performance of patients who were initially not eligible for intensive treatment. [Venetoclax plus azacitidine] improved [patients’] quality of life [and] physical performance. [It] even makes them even candidates for reduced-intensity bone marrow transplantation, resulting in improved survival, quality of life, and overall benefit for these patients.

Editor's Note: Dr Zapata's transcript has been translated from Spanish to English. 

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Nidia Zapata, MD, discusses the role of triplet therapy in the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Las Implicaciones del Estudo VIALE-A de Venetoclax Mas Azacitidina Para Paciente Inelegibles a Quimioterapia Intensiva

Nidia Zapata, MD, associate professor, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, discusses the role of triplet therapy in the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

: The use of triplet combinations is an excellent investigational question that is generating a lot of anticipation, regarding the results that are expected within the space of patients with AML who are not suitable candidates for intensive therapy.

The results [of triplet therapy] have shown significant toxicity, but many of the current approaches focus on adjusting dosing strategies or making changes in the dosing of treatment to make these combinations more tolerable and less toxic for patients. These combinations [are] an excellent [approach], and I believe there is a lot of anticipation for results that will [be read out] at upcoming [medical meetings] to [let us] see these outcomes.

Nidia Zapata, MD

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Las Implicaciones del Estudo VIALE-A de Venetoclax Mas Azacitidina Para Paciente Inelegibles a Quimioterapia Intensiva

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