Trends in survival outcomes of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia in elderly patients: analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in the elderly population is generally considered to have a poor prognosis. It is unclear whether their survival has improved in the current era. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we selected 717 elderly patients (age≥60) with B-ALL diagnosed between 1992 and 2011. Overall survival (OS) was compared based on their period of diagnosis and age. Patients in the age group 60-69 had an improvement in OS over time, both 1-year OS (49.4% in 2002-2011 vs. 33.1% in 1992-2001) and 5-year OS (20.4% in 2002-2011 vs. 8.1% in 1992-2001, p=0.002). Patients≥70 years had no significant improvement in 1-year OS or 5-year OS (5-year OS 5.5% in 1992-2001 vs. 9.7% in 2002-2011, p=0.326). Hence, there are discrepancies in the improvement of OS among elderly patients with B-ALL. Further focus of research in elderly patients with B-ALL is needed to improve their outcome.