[Advances in treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in the elderly]

Elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) tolerate intensive chemotherapy poorly and usually have poor prognosis. For elderly patients in good physical condition and without severe dysfunction of major organs, standard intensive induction chemotherapy is superior to non-intensive treatment or best supportive care alone. However, low-dose chemotherapy as post-remission treatment has more advantages than intensive chemotherapy. Intensive chemotherapy is not suitable for patients with unfavorable karyotypes, and genetic analysis is needed for individualized therapy regimen. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin may improve the survival of elderly patients who are intolerant to standard chemotherapy. Some patients may benefit from the transplantation of allogeneic stem cells after reduced-intensity conditioning.