Benefit of allogeneic transplantation in patients age ≥ 60 years with acute myeloid leukemia is limited to those in first complete remission at time of transplant.

We evaluated the impact of age and remission status on 242 consecutive patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in our program between 1999 and 2011. Median age of all patients was 48 years (range, 18 to 71). Based on age and remission status, patients were divided into 4 groups: first complete remission (CR1) age <60 years (n = 116), second complete remission (CR2) age <60 years (n = 78), CR1 age ≥60 years (n = 32), and CR2 age ≥60 years (n = 16). Donors were matched related (n = 155, 64%) or matched unrelated (n = 87, 36%). Median follow-up of survivors was 65 months (range, 12 to 145). In a univariate analysis, 3-year overall survival rates of the 4 groups were 57%, 43%, 39%, and 16% (P = .003), respectively. In a multivariable analysis, hazard ratios of nonrelapse mortality and survival were 2.08 (P = .06) and 1.52 (P = .23), respectively, in patients ≥60 years in CR2 compared with ≥ 60 years in CR1. Although a plateau in survival was observed for patients ≥60 years in CR1 similar to those <60 years in CR1 and CR2, no long-term survivors were seen in patients ≥60 years in CR2. Our data suggest disappointing outcomes in AML patients ≥60 years of age transplanted in CR2. Therefore, if a transplant is indicated, early referral is recommended in patients ≥60 years with AML.