Addition of Lomustine (CCNU) to Induction and Post-Remission Chemotherapy for Fit Elderly AML Patients Without Unfavorable Cytogenetics: Results of the Lamsa-2007 Goelams Trial

Background: The treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in elderly patients remains unsatisfactory, with an expected survival time of about 1 year post diagnosis. In an attempt to improve outcome for these patients, the prospective open-label phase 3 LAMSA-2007 trial (Clinicaltrial.gov ID, NCT00590837) repeated, at decreasing doses in consolidation and reinduction courses, a standard induction regimen with cytarabine and idarubicin (IC), with or without the randomized addition of lomustine (ICL). This alkylating agent with significant anti-leukemic activity is widely used in France for AML therapy. This study was performed as a confirmatory trial, following our previous report of the French experience in which this compound stood out as a favorable factor of improved outcome for patients with non-unfavorable cytogenetics (Pigneux, JCO 2010).