Clinical Study of Azacitidine Combined With Homoharringtonie Based Regimens in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Currently, the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) still remains a therapeutic challenge. Patients received traditional chemotherapy have a low remission rate, poor prognosis and short survival for patients. New treatment strategies are needed in find out a better chemotherapy regimen. Azacitidine (AZA), a hypomethylating agent, targets epigenetic gene silencing by inhibiting gene expression against malignant phenotypes. Azacitidine is currently approved to treat AML based on the NCCN guidelines. Novel combinations based on the azacitidine are currently undergoing, and the preliminary results brought promising hope to the treatment of AML. The homoharringtonie (HHT) is a plant cytotoxic alkaloid derived from the trees of the genus Cephalotaxus. As a protein synthesis inhibitor, homoharringtonie plays a major role in the G1 / G2 phase in cells. In addition, it could induce AML cell lines and primary myeloid leukemia cell apoptosis, and the effect was dose dependent. Meanwhile it could also induce leukemia cells to differentiate into normal state, eventually controlled the progression of the disease. Combination with azacitidine may become a new option.This study intends to apply azacitidine in combination with homoharringtonie for treating AML patients, aiming to improve the efficacy, reduce adverse events and improve the living qualities of patients. Patients of de novo or relapsed AML(age≥60y or ineligibility to receive intensive chemotherapy) will receive AZA+HAG (homoharringtonie, cytarabine, G-CSF) regiment as induction therapy. After complete remission(CR), the AZA+HAG regimen was further given 4-6 cycles and followed by azacitidine maintenance or until the disease progresses. Patients of de novo or relapsed AML(age<60y or eligible for intensive chemotherapy) will receive AZA +HIA(homoharringtonie, Idarubicin, cytarabine) or AZA+HDA(homoharringtonie, daunorubicin, cytarabine) regiments as introduction therapy. After CR, post-remission therapy will follow with NCCN guidelines. The investigators choose historical AML patients receiving tranditional chemotherapy as a control group, to evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles.