In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were treated with venetoclax (Venclexta) and decitabine (Dacogen).
This study concluded that a negative MRD status after 1, 2, and 4 months of therapy predicts better outcomes for these patients.
Some background
Some patients with AML are unfit to receive intensive therapies. This can be due to age or other existing medical conditions. Venetoclax is a targeted treatment that can be used for treating AML patients. Decitabine is a chemotherapy used for patients who cannot have standard chemotherapy.
For patients with AML, assessing MRD after intensive chemotherapy provides prognostic information (predict the likely outcome). MRD is a small number of cancer cells left in the body after cancer treatment. An MRD positive test means disease was still detected after treatment. An MRD negative result after intensive therapy means that no disease was detected after treatment.
However, the value of MRD for predicting disease outcomes after venetoclax and decitabine treatment in patients with AML is unknown.
Methods & findings
This study involved 97 older/unfit patients with AML who received first-line therapy with decitabine and venetoclax. MRD in the bone marrow of these patients was evaluated. The average follow-up time was 20.2 months.
Overall, 70% of patients achieved complete remission (CR). 54% of patients become MRD negative. The average time to becoming MRD negative was 2 months.
In patients who became MRD negative by 2 or 4 months, overall survival, survival without relapse, and without complication from AML were significantly higher compared to those who still remained MRD positive.
The bottom line
This study concluded that a negative MRD status in patients with AML treated with venetoclax and decitabine leads to improved outcomes.
The fine print
This study was based on medical records. Some information might have been missing. This may have influenced the results.
Published By :
Blood advances
Date :
Apr 13, 2021
