Specific epidemiologic exposures are significantly associated with unique acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cytogenetic risk categories and response to therapy, according to a study of 295 patients with AML. Researchers found:

• Significant associations were seen between obesity and intermediate-abnormal cytogenetics (OR, 1.94) and between statin use at diagnosis and increased complete remission (OR, 2.89).

• Patients with secondary AML were more likely to have poor risk (OR, 2.55) and less likely to have intermediate normal cytogenetics (OR, 0.48).

• Overall survival was improved for patients ≥ 60 years receiving intensive (RR, 0.21) and nonintensive therapy (RR, 0.40) vs no treatment, and was lower for tobacco users (RR, 1.39) and those with poor risk cytogenetics (RR, 3.96), or poor performance status (RR, 1.69).

• Prior solid organ transplantation was associated with significantly lower complete remission rate after therapy (OR, 0.10).

Citation: Finn L, Sproat L, Heckman MG, et al. Epidemiology of adult acute myeloid leukemia: Impact of exposures on clinical phenotypes and outcomes after therapy. [Published online ahead of print September 10, 2015]. Cancer Epidemiol. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2015.09.003.