Survival of Patients Diagnosed with Primary Refractory and Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia from 2008-2012: A Single Institution Experience

Abstract Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most lethal types of adult cancer, with 10,460 deaths among 18,860 diagnoses in 2014. Although some patients are cured with induction and consolidation chemotherapy with or without stem cell transplantation (SCT), between 50-80% of patients will either fail to obtain a complete remission (CR; primary refractory AML) or will relapse. The median overall survival (OS) for relapsed and refractory AML patients is dismal, and there is no clear consensus on the management of relapsed/refractory AML. In this study, with extended follow-up, we set out to look at our own experience with primary refractory and relapsed AML patients in order to try to identify the best therapy and factors associated with improved outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study in AML patients seen at Emory University Hospital (EUH) was IRB approved. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the demographic and clinical variables. Cytogenetic and molecular signatures were defined based upon the European Leukemia Network and Southwest Oncology group classifications (Dohner et al. 2010, Slovak et al. 2000). Response criteria were based upon the revised recommendations of the International Working Group (Cheson et al. 2003). The combined prognostic score was created using previously validated prognostic variables including age ( /= 60), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS; 0-1 vs. >/= 2), and cytogenetic and molecular signatures (favorable vs unfavorable). A score of 0 was termed "favorable" and a score of 1 or greater was termed "unfavorable." The Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard statistical methods were used to estimate OS. Results: Review of electronic medical records identified 67 consecutive patients between January 1st 2008 and December 31st 2012 diagnosed with primary refractory or relapsed AML. Median age was 56 (range 18-81). Cytogenetic/molecular signatures were favorable in 6%, intermediate in 60%, and unfavorable in 34%, and PS was 0-1 in 34% and 2 in 66%. The majority of patients had a combined prognostic score of unfavorable (n = 53, 79%). Among the 67 patients, 17 (25%) achieved CR with salvage therapy, with 13 (76%) of those able to undergo SCT. With an extended follow-up of approximately 5.6 years, the median OS of our refractory/relapsed AML cohort was 4 months (95% CI 2.2-5.8), with 8% of patients living at least 5 years from their date of relapse. Univariate analysis identified the following factors to be associated with a significantly worse median OS: Secondary AML at initial diagnosis (2.0 vs 5.0 months; p = 0.005), unfavorable cytogenetic/molecular signature at initial diagnosis (3.0 vs 6.0 months; p = 0.014), ECOG PS of 2 or greater at relapse (2.0 vs. 7.0 months; p Download : Download high-res image (57KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Download : Download high-res image (57KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 2 . Disclosures Kota: Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Research Funding.