Andrew Wei, MBBS, PhD, of Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, presented results from the CAVEAT trial (ACTRN12616000445471) at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematological Association (EHA) 2018, held in Stockholm, Sweden. This study explored the effect of venetoclax with high dose cytarabine and idarubicin in elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Induction stage results are promising, with good remission rates and toxicities within expected limits. In consolidation, however, there was substantial risk of thrombocytopenia and neutropenia, and platelet and neutrophil recovery times were longer than expected, suggesting myelosuppression. Nevertheless, the positive induction results imply a promising future for this therapy, possibly including expansion into a younger patient population.
CAVEAT: venetoclax and high dose chemo for elderly AML
