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.