Length of Washout Period After Remission Does Not Influence Relapse Risk in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia...

Background/Objectives: The combination of venetoclax (VEN) and hypomethylating agents (HMA), such as azacitidine (AZA) or decitabine (DEC), has transformed the treatment landscape for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy. However, optimal management of neutropenia and the impact of post-remission treatment interruptions (washouts) remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of post-remission washouts and their effect on clinical outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study of 44 AML patients treated with HMA/VEN between 2020 and 2021. Clinical, molecular, and treatment-related data were collected, including treatment duration, post-remission washout duration, response rates, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Statistical analyses included Fisher's exact test and univariate and multivariate Cox models. Results: Overall, 61% of patients responded to therapy, with significantly higher response rates among those potentially eligible for the VIALE-A trial (86% vs. 39%, p = 0.002). Neither treatment duration nor post-remission washout length was associated with DFS or OS. DFS was significantly longer in patients treated with AZA compared to DEC (p = 0.006). Median OS was 7.7 months, with longer OS observed in patients who met VIALE-A trial eligibility criteria (p = 0.021). Achieving complete remission (CR) was associated with improved OS (14.5 months). Conclusions: Post-remission treatment interruptions (washouts) did not negatively impact DFS or OS, suggesting they may be a safe strategy to support hematologic recovery. However, the choice of HMA appears to influence response duration, with AZA outperforming DEC in maintaining disease control.