Key clinical point: Treatment with a combination of venetoclax (VEN) and hypomethylating agents (HMA) may be an option for younger AML patients, but myelosuppression was a concern, and 43.7% of treated patients were hospitalized for a treatment-related adverse event.
Major finding: In the 26 newly-diagnosed AML patients, the complete remission rate was 53.8%, but only 38.5% in the 39 relapsed/refractory patients; however, 70% remained dependent on red blood cell transfusion and 58.6% remained dependent on platelet transfusion during and after treatment.
Study details: The data come from 65 patients with acute myeloid leukemia and 7 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome who were treated with a combination of VEN and HMA.
Disclosures: The study’s corresponding author was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute. Lead author Dr. Feld had no financial conflicts to disclose.
Source: Feld J et al. Hemasphere. 2021 Mar 9. doi: 10.1097/HS9.0000000000000549.