In a nutshell
This study aimed to evaluate if a clofarabine-based combination would be suitable as a post-remission chemotherapy in younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
This study concluded that a clofarabine-based combination may be considered as a post-remission chemotherapy in younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
Some background
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in remission have no signs of cancer present after receiving treatment. Post-remission chemotherapy is used to prevent the cancer from returning. High-dose cytarabine (HDAC) is a typical post remission chemotherapy for AML patients. Clofarabine-based combination (CLARA) is a new drug therapy.
It was not known if CLARA would be an effective post-remission chemotherapy treatment for AML patients.
Methods & findings
This study involved 221 AML patients, who were in their first remission and had no eligible donor for a stem cell transplant. The patients were split into two groups. One group received 3 cycles of CLARA treatment. The other received 3 cycles of HDAC treatment. The relapse-free survival (RFS) was measured. This is the time without cancer returning.
The RFS at 2 years was 58.5% for the CLARA group, compared to 46.5% for the HDAC group.
55 patients from each group received stem cell transplant (SCT) in remission. Two-year RFS following SCT was 53.3% for the CLARA group and 31% for the HDAC group.
More side effects were seen in the CLARA group when compared to the HDAC group. These included low white blood cell levels and liver problems.
The bottom line
This study concluded that CLARA may be a suitable post-remission option for young patients with AML in their first remission.
Published By :
Journal of clinical oncology
Date :
Apr 10, 2017
