Hypoplastic acute myeloid leukemia in an elderly patient. A long-term partial remission with low-dose prednisone and

Anwarul Islam1

  • 1Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine Buffalo General Hospital Buffalo New York.

Clinical Case Reports
|July 31, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Hypoplastic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is rare in the elderly. A combination of low-dose prednisone and G-CSF showed promising results in one patient, suggesting a potential new treatment option.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Hypoplastic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare subtype, primarily affecting elderly individuals.
  • This condition represents 5%-7% of de novo AML cases.
  • Patients with hypoplastic AML face a poor prognosis and lack established treatment protocols.

Observation:

  • An elderly patient with hypoplastic AML was treated.
  • The treatment involved low-dose prednisone and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).

Findings:

  • The patient experienced good results with this treatment regimen.
  • This combination therapy demonstrated efficacy in managing hypoplastic AML.

Implications:

  • Low-dose prednisone and G-CSF may offer a viable alternative to supportive care.
  • This approach could be a less aggressive option compared to chemotherapy for elderly patients.

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients01:15

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
229
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
235
Dose Size and Dosing Frequency: Determination Methods01:21

Dose Size and Dosing Frequency: Determination Methods

Determining the optimal dose size and dosing frequency in pharmacotherapy is crucial for achieving therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing adverse effects. This article explores the methodologies employed in determining these parameters, focusing on their significance and interplay to tailor dosing regimens.Dose Size: Dose size refers to the amount of a drug administered in a single dose. It is determined based on the drug's pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics properties and...
281
Long-term Depression01:05

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
33.2K
Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Loading and Maintenance Doses01:25

Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Loading and Maintenance Doses

A loading dose is an essential pharmacological strategy to rapidly achieve the target plasma drug concentration necessary for an immediate therapeutic effect. This approach is especially critical for drugs characterized by slow absorption or extended half-lives, where delaying therapeutic plasma levels could compromise treatment outcomes. By administering a loading dose, clinicians ensure a prompt onset of drug action, even for agents with complex pharmacokinetic profiles.Achieving steady-state...
229
Rational Dosage Regimen: Maintenance Dose and Loading Dose01:24

Rational Dosage Regimen: Maintenance Dose and Loading Dose

A rational dosage regimen considers a drug's pharmacokinetics, including its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination from the body. By understanding these factors, the appropriate dosage can be determined, and the dosing schedule can be designed to achieve and maintain the desired therapeutic effect while minimizing adverse effects.
In most cases, drugs are administered repetitively or infused continuously to maintain a steady-state concentration in the body. At a steady...
5.4K