Tombak A.Uçar M.A.Akdeniz A.Tiftik E.N.Şahin D.G.Akay O.M.Yıldırım M.Nevruz O.Kis C.Gürkan E.Solmaz Ş.M.Özcan M.A.Yıldırım R.Berber İ.Erkurt M.A.Tuğlular T.F.Tarkun P.Yavaşoğlu İ.Doğu M.H.Sarı İ.Merter M.Özcan M.Yıldızhan E.Kaynar L.Mehtap Ö.Uysal A.Şahin F.Salim O.Sungur M.A.2019-10-272019-10-2720161300-7777https://doi.org/10.4274/tjh.2015.0203https://hdl.handle.net/11454/25886Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of azacitidine (AZA) in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including patients with >30% bone marrow (BM) blasts. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, 130 patients of ?60 years old who were ineligible for intensive chemotherapy or had progressed despite conventional treatment were included. Results: The median age was 73 years and 61.5% of patients had >30% BM blasts. Patients received AZA for a median of four cycles (range: 1-21). Initial overall response [including complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete recovery/partial remission] was 36.2%. Hematologic improvement (HI) of any kind was documented in 37.7% of all patients. HI was also documented in 27.1% of patients who were unresponsive to treatment. Median overall survival (OS) was 18 months for responders and 12 months for nonresponders (p=0.005). In the unresponsive patient group, any HI improved OS compared to patients without any HI (median OS was 14 months versus 10 months, p=0.068). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of <2, increasing number of AZA cycles (?5 courses), and any HI predicted better OS. Age, AML type, and BM blast percentage had no impact. Conclusion: We conclude that AZA is effective and well tolerated in elderly comorbid AML patients, irrespective of BM blast count, and HI should be considered a sufficient response to continue treatment with AZA. © 2016, Turkish Society of Hematology. All rights reserved.en10.4274/tjh.2015.0203info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessAcute myeloid leukemiaAzacitidineBone marrow blastsElderlyOverall survivalPrognostic factorsArticle33427328027095141Q3