A NEW study analysing older adults with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has shed light on the significant role home time plays in treatment decision-making. Researchers used data from the SEER-Medicare database (2004–2016) to examine home time in patients aged 66 years and older diagnosed with AML, comparing two common treatment regimens: anthracycline-based chemotherapy and hypomethylating agents (HMAs). Home time is defined as the portion of time spent at home, excluding days in hospitals or nursing facilities, which patients often view as a critical factor when choosing treatments.
The study cohort included 7,946 patients, of whom 35.5% received anthracyclines and 32.0% received HMAs. The median survival for those receiving anthracyclines was 11 months, compared to 8 months for those treated with HMAs. Despite the shorter survival associated with HMAs, patients treated with these agents spent more time at home, with an average of 222 days in the first year, compared to 189 days for those receiving anthracyclines.
Overall, the study found that the average home time for all patients in the first year was 52.4%, with patients on HMAs experiencing the highest home time at 60.8%, compared to 51.9% for those on anthracyclines. This suggests that, while anthracycline-based chemotherapy may offer slightly longer survival, it often comes at the cost of increased hospitalisations and nursing facility admissions, ultimately reducing the time patients spend at home.
This research emphasises the importance of considering both survival and quality of life, including home time, when deciding on treatment options for older AML patients.
Reference
Richardson D et al. Home time among older adults with acute myeloid leukemia following chemotherapy. JAMA Oncol. 2024;10(8):1038-46.
