Low-dose azacitidine maintenance therapy after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for high-risk pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2018 Oct;65(10):e27284. doi: 10.1002/pbc.27284. Epub 2018 Jun 12.

Abstract

The dismal prognosis of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapsing after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) requires exploration of novel strategies to prevent relapse. Azacitidine (AZA) maintenance therapy could potentially reduce the recurrence rate post HSCT. Here, we presents the cases of three children with high-risk AML post HSCT who were treated with low-dose AZA maintenance therapy, demonstrating the feasibility of this therapy. Currently, all three are in complete remission for 13-41 months despite their high-risk characteristics. Our encouraging data warrant larger prospective studies to assess the efficacy and safety of low-dose AZA maintenance therapy post HSCT for pediatric patients with high-risk AML.

Keywords: acute myeloid leukemia; azacitidine; pediatric; post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use*
  • Azacitidine / therapeutic use*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / surgery
  • Maintenance Chemotherapy / methods*
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control*
  • Remission Induction
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Azacitidine