Should older adults with AML receive post-remission therapy?

The evolution of post-remission therapy in older adults has for the most part mirrored that for younger adults. However, the suitability of those regimens for an older population is less clear-cut, mainly due to poorer tolerance of therapy and a relatively higher level of disease resistance. Not only is intensive post-remission therapy not appropriate for the majority of older adults, but the role of intensive induction therapy is also unclear. Treatment goals in patients over 55-65 years differ from those in younger patients and may not necessarily be curative but life-prolonging or purely palliative. This paper reviews treatments for older AML patients in an effort to shed some light on choosing appropriate therapy.