title: [High-intensity chemotherapy versus palliative chemotherapy in patients over 60 years with acute myeloid leukemia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of high-intensity chemotherapy (HIC) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the elderly is controversial. In the present study, it was assessed complete remission and overall survival of AML patients over 60 years treated with HIC or palliative chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with ECOG ≤ 2 and adequate organic function received HIC with a base of cytarabine for five or seven days, and an anthracycline for three days. If patients achieved complete remission of leukemia, they received one or two cycles of consolidation with cytarabine. Palliative treatment consisted of supported measures and/or oral or intravenous low-dose chemotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients treated with HIC achieved complete remission versus only one in the palliative group. Only one patient died during HIC treatment. Median survival for HIC-treated patients was 13.25 months, and only 3.35 months for patients treated with palliative therapy (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AML patients of 60 years or older, with good performance status (ECOG ≤ 2) and adequate organ function, may benefit from HIC treatment, with better survival, compared with palliative therapy.
authors: Servicio de Hematología, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México. jjesus1077@yahoo.com.mx.
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Medrano-Contreras
authors: Juan Osvaldo
authors: JO
authors: Talavera-Piña
authors: Susana
authors: S
authors: Guerrero-Rivera
authors: Guillermo Rodolfo
authors: GR
authors: Gutiérrez-Espíndola
authors: Cynthia
authors: C
authors: Gómez-Cortés
authors: Juan Fernando
authors: JF
authors: Pérez-Rocha
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: Terreros-Muñoz
authors: Luis Antonio
authors: LA
authors: Meillón-García
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018943:Anthracyclines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003561:Cytarabine
keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia; Chemotherapy; Elderly