Amsacrine containing induction therapy in elderly AML patients: comparison to standard induction regimens in a matched-pair analysis

Many elderly patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) present with cardiac comorbidity precluding the use of anthracycline containing chemotherapy regimens. Amsacrine, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, has been proposed as possible alternative to anthracyclines. Here, we report about the combination of amsacrine (210 mg/m(2)), in replacement for daunorubicin (DNR), with standard dose cytarabine and thioguanine (TAA) to elderly patients (>or=60 years of age) with impaired cardiac function. The outcome of 16 patients with a median age of 66 years treated between 1997 and 2003 was compared with standard treatment regimens of the AMLCG study group in a matched-pair analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in response rate, relapse free survival or overall survival between TAA treated patients or standard therapy. In conclusion, replacing anthracyclines with amsacrine for induction therapy of AML patients with significant cardiac comorbidities represents a treatment option without compromising the potential curability of the disease.