Age-Related Efficacy of Immunotherapy with Histamine Dihydrochloride and Interleukin-2 for Relapse Prevention in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

• Recurrence of leukemia after the completion of induction and consolidation chemotherapy is a significant clinical concern in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Apart from allogeneic bone marrow transplantation there is no consensus about effective relapse-protective therapy beyond the consolidation phase, and the standard of care for the majority of patients in complete remission (CR) hence is no treatment. Here we present updated results from a phase 3 trial (n=320) evaluating the prevention of relapse in AML patients receiving immunotherapy with histamine dihydrochloride (HDC) and low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2). This trial was previously reported to meet the primary endpoint of improved leukemia-free survival (LFS) in the primary population of all randomized patients. Our results imply that treatment with HDC/IL-2 prevents relapse in patients 40–70 years old in first CR (p=0.008, leukemia-free survival (LFS), n=190, log rank test) with a more than 80% relative increase in the likelihood of LFS at 3 years. HDC/IL-2 was not significantly efficacious in young patients (<40 years old). Further studies are underway to define the impact of HDC/IL-2 on immune function and the putative efficacy of therapy in genetic subgroups of AML.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Immunologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Immunology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

Keyword

recombinant interleukin-2

cancer-immunotherapy

phase-3 trial

induction

remission

survival

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)