HAV Versus DAV/IAV Induction Regimen in Elderly Patients With AML

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common leukemia in China, with a high incidence in elderly patients (≥60 years), who comprise over half of all cases (median age \~68 years). Elderly AML patients have a poor prognosis and carry multiple high-risk factors, with a 5-year overall survival (OS) of only 3-8%. Before the era of novel targeted agents, the classic "3+7" regimen was the standard intensive chemotherapy for eligible elderly patients, yielding an induction complete remission (CR) rate of 40-60%. Long-term survival remained poor, as most elderly patients are not candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Recent clinical studies have shown that combinations of novel targeted agents with hypomethylating agents improve outcomes in elderly or unfit patients. In a previously initiated multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial (NCT06066242), the investigators aimed to identify the optimal induction regimen for elderly fit patients with newly diagnosed AML. Preliminary data indicate that the DNR/IDA + Ara-C + venetoclax (DAV/IAV) regimen achieved a higher induction remission rate (77.3%) compared with DA/IA (3+7) or Ven + azacitidine (45-59%). However, this rate remains below that observed in younger adults (\>85%), highlighting the need for further optimization.