Dr. Daver on the Advancing Treatment Landscape in AML

Naval G. Daver, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the advancing treatment landscape in both acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). 

In recent years, major progress ​has been made in the treatment of patients with AML and ALL, says Daver. 

At the 2020 European Hematology Association Congress, findings from the randomized phase 3 ​VIALE-A trialdemonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival ​(OS) and complete response (CR) rates ​with the combination of azacitidine plus venetoclax (Venclexta) versus azacitidine alone in patients with untreated AML. 

Historically, ​azacitidine monotherapy has been associated with a CR rate of about 20% to 25% and a median OS of 8 ​to 10 months, Daver explains. 

Findings from 2 phase 1b/2 trials served as the basis for the November 2018 accelerated approval of venetoclax in combination with azacitidine, decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine for patients with newly diagnosed AML who are aged 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude the use of intensive induction chemotherapy, Daver concludes.