Treatment options for older patients with intermediate or high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain unsatisfactory. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation, the treatment of choice for the majority of younger AML patients, has been hampered in elderly patients by higher treatment related mortality, comorbidities and lack of a suitable donor. With the higher availability of suitable donors as well as of reduced intensity conditioning regimens, novel low intensity treatments prior to transplantation and optimized supportive care, the number of older AML patients being successfully transplanted is steadily increasing. Against this background, we review current treatment strategies for older AML patients planned for allogeneic stem cell transplantation based on clinical trial data, discussing differences between approaches with advantages and pitfalls of each. We summarize pre-treatment considerations that need to be taken into account in this highly heterogeneous older population. Finally, we offer an outlook on areas of ongoing clinical research, including novel immunotherapeutic approaches that may improve access to curative therapies for a larger number of older AML patients.
Keywords: allogeneic stem cell transplant; bridging strategies; chemotherapy; elderly AML; hypomethylating agents.