Cladribine, cytarabine, filgrastim, and mitoxantrone (CLAG-M) compared to standard induction in acute myeloid leukemia from myelodysplastic syndrome after azanucleoside failure

For patients with acute myeloid leukemia from antecedent myelodysplastic syndrome particularly after azanucleoside treatment failure, outcome is poor. Here, we conducted a case-control study in these patients to compare the efficacy of CLAG-M induction (28 patients) versus standard 3 + 7 induction chemotherapy (24 patients). Response rates (P = 0.014) and median overall survival (P = 0.025) were 64% and 202 days (95% CI 37–367 days) versus 29% and 86 days (95% CI 36–136) in the CLAG-M and 3 + 7 cohorts, respectively. Median overall survival was 202 (95% CI 37–367 days) versus 86 days (95% CI 36–136) (P = 0.025), respectively. CLAG-M has encouraging activity in this patient group.