Tombak, AnılUçar, Mehmet AliAkdeniz, AydanTiftik, Eyüp NaciŞahin, Deniz GörenAkay, Olga MeltemSungur, Mehmet Ali2020-04-302020-04-3020161300-77771308-5263https://doi.org/10.4274/tjh.2015.0203https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12684/5162Kaynar, Leylagul/0000-0002-2035-9462; GURKAN, EMEL/0000-0002-3060-4054; Sahin, Fahri/0000-0001-9315-8891WOS: 000392282500002PubMed: 27095141Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of azacitidine (AZA) in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including patients with >30% bone marrow (BM) blasts. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, 130 patients of >= 60 years old who were ineligible for intensive chemotherapy or had progressed despite conventional treatment were included. Results: The median age was 73 years and 61.5% of patients had >30% BM blasts. Patients received AZA for a median of four cycles (range: 1-21). Initial overall response [including complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete recovery/partial remission] was 36.2%. Hematologic improvement (HI) of any kind was documented in 37.7% of all patients. HI was also documented in 27.1% of patients who were unresponsive to treatment. Median overall survival (OS) was 18 months for responders and 12 months for nonresponders (p=0.005). In the unresponsive patient group, any HI improved OS compared to patients without any HI (median OS was 14 months versus 10 months, p=0.068). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of <2, increasing number of AZA cycles (>= 5 courses), and any HI predicted better OS. Age, AML type, and BM blast percentage had no impact. Conclusion: We conclude that AZA is effective and well tolerated in elderly comorbid AML patients, irrespective of BM blast count, and HI should be considered a sufficient response to continue treatment with AZA.en10.4274/tjh.2015.0203info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessAzacitidineAcute myeloid leukemiaElderlyBone marrow blastsPrognostic factorsOverall survivalArticle334273280WOS:000392282500002Q3Q4