Should all elderly patients with AML receive azacitidine as post-remission therapy?

During the 61st American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting in Orlando, US, the AML Global Portal was delighted to speak to Esther Natalie Oliva, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, Reggio Calabria, IT. We asked: Should all elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia receive azacitidine as post-remission therapy?

Esther Natalie Oliva explains that based on the results of the trial comparing subcutaneous azacitidine with best supportive care, there is no clear evidence of benefits in all patients. However, in elderly patients (above 69 years) receiving azacitidine disease-free survival was significantly prolonged. Another trial comparing the oral formulation of azacitidine vs placebo showed benefits for patients receiving azacitidine as post-remission therapy.