Acute myeloid leukemia in adults: Experience at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran from 2003 to 2008

Introduction. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprises a group of diseases with different biologic characteristics; despite knowledge improvements, these are not reflected in long term survival. Objective. To describe characteristics of adults with AML in a hospital of Mexico City, their treatment response, complications and to evaluate survival related factors. Material and methods. Cohort study. Between January 2003 and July 2008, patients with AML diagnosis were included (except promyelocitic). Treatment protocols used: 3+7, high doses of cytarabine and autologous bone marrow transplant as consolidation therapy. Results. 53 patients were included. Median age: 44 years (15-79). At diagnosis: tumor lysis syndrome in 41 53 (7.5%), 3/51 (5.9%) with altered liver function test and hyperleukocytosis in 8153 (15.1%). 46 patients had available cytogenetic and this was successful in 28146 (60.8%), 12128 (42.8%) had adverse cytogenetic; 16128 (57.1%) intermediate risk and none was favorable. There were 2 losses during follow up, 7 patients did not receive chemotherapy with curative intent and 1 died at diagnosis. 43 patients received 3+7, 13.9% died during aplasia, complete remission was achieved in 27143 (62.7%) and 10143 (23.2%) were refractory to treatment. A second induction attempt was required in 39.5% (17143). Median disease free survival (DFS) was 491days (366-615), with a median follow up of 993 days (105-1744). The median overall survival (OS) was 531 days (312-749). Aplasia related mortality decreased (p = 0.09) between the actual cohort (13.9%) and the historical cohort (37%). Conclusions. Long term survival in AML patients remains poor despite improvements in diagnosis, classification, and treatment. In our institution, it is required to improve induction protocols and cytogenetic analysis in order to adequately choose the group of patients that could be benefit from stem cell transplant.