A study of the optimal number of treatment courses of high-dose daunorubicin and cytarabine (Ara-C) for younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology revealed that although a fourth course reduced cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) and improved relapse-free survival (RFS), it did not result in a significant overall survival (OS) benefit.1
However, even with this knowledge, the investigators suggested that if Ara-C is the selected consolidation treatment, a fourth course of overall treatment would likely be beneficial.
“In general, patients with more favorable characteristics appear to benefit from a fourth course, but only when high-dose Ara-C consolidation is used, whereas those with intermediate-risk characteristics do not, although these were only trends for benefit,” explained the study authors, who were led by Alan K….
