Dr. Arellano on Managing Older Patients With AML

Martha L. Arellano, MD, associate professor, interim associate director, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, and director, Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, discusses the management of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Age alone should not limit a patient’s treatment options, says Arellano.

In the past, older patients were restricted to either 7+3 chemotherapy or hospice care. Subsequently, hypomethylating agents became an additional option for patients, says Arellano.

Currently, venetoclax (Venclexta) is approved for use in combination with azacitidine or decitabine or low-dose cytarabine for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed AML who are aged 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that prevent the use of intensive induction chemotherapy. Although these combinations are considered breakthrough therapies, they are not curative, concludes Arellano.