Short-term Group Venetoclax Combined with Azacitidine for Treating Newly Diagnosed Elderly Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Retrospective Study

Abstract The induction regimen of venetoclax (VEN) in combination with demethylating agents has improved outcomes in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the optimal course of VEN use during treatment needs further exploration. We conducted a retrospective study to determine the efficacy and safety of VEN in 90 newly diagnosed elderly patients with AML. This included 47 patients who used VEN for 14 days in combination with the azacitidine (AZA) regimen and 43 patients who used VEN for 28 days in combination with the AZA regimen. The rates of clinical remission were similar in the two groups, with a shorter time to neutropenia recovery in the shorter duration group. The short-term group also experienced reduced febrile neutropenia and a trend toward a lower incidence of other adverse events. With a median follow-up time of 494 days, there was a non-significant difference in median overall survival and Event-free survival observed between the two groups. This retrospective study demonstrated that VEN 14 days combined with AZA had similar efficacy to the VEN 28 days regimen combined with AZA. The short-term VEN combined with AZA regimen ensured efficacy with relatively less myelosuppressive effect, shortened blood recovery time, and reduced incidence of infection and fever during treatment. This regimen is suitable for elderly patients who are in poor physical condition and unable to tolerate low-dose chemotherapy and the long-term VEN combined with AZA regimen. It is easier to accept and more regarding the biopsychosocial medicine model.