New chemotherapeutic agents in acute myeloid leukemia

Only two classes of chemotherapeutic agents have shown activity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML): ara-C and topoisomerase II reactive agents. Frontline combinations of these agents produce complete response (CR) rates of 70% and long-term event-free survival rates of 25%. New agents with different mechanisms of action are being explored. Nucleoside analogs such as chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) or fludarabine have shown single-agent efficacy and may be synergistic with ara-C. Combination therapy with ara-C and nucleoside analogs have shown promising results both as salvage therapy and in newly diagnosed patients. Combinations of topotecan with ara-C, VP16, and anthracyclines are being pursued, as is testing of other Topo-I inhibitors. Hypomethylating agents (5-azacytidine, decitabine) are showing activity in AML, producing CR rates of 5% to 30% as AML salvage therapy as a single agent, and 40%-60% in combinations. Decitabine may be synergistic with topo I inhibitors, biologic agents, and differentiating agents. Homoharringtonine has modest anti-AML activity, with CR rates of 10% to 30% as salvage therapy. Other classes of agents worthy of continuing investigation are platinum analogs and agents with novel mechanisms of action such as tallimustine.